Panini, the renowned sports trading card company, has made waves in the industry with its latest move – a partnership with LIV Golf. This exclusive deal was unveiled to the public recently, marking a significant step for Panini into the world of golf trading cards. The collaboration grants Panini the exclusive rights to produce and distribute trading cards showcasing the talented players of LIV Golf.
While Panini has a history of producing golf cards under the Donruss brand since the early ’80s, this partnership signifies a new chapter following Panini’s acquisition of Donruss. This strategic alliance aims to introduce a fresh line of golf trading card products to cater to the diverse interests of fans and collectors worldwide. Among the offerings planned by Panini are physical trading cards featuring match-worn memorabilia, player autographs, and exclusive sets under the Prizm and Impeccable brands.
In a bid to provide real-time excitement to fans, Panini will also launch a special Panini Instant card program. This program will capture and immortalize memorable moments and highlights from LIV Golf tournaments and seasons, offering a unique and dynamic collectible experience. Additionally, fans can look forward to LIV Golf Team sets, adding a team element to the individual sport of golf.
LIV Golf, a relatively new tour founded in 2022 and supported by backing from Saudi Arabia, boasts a roster of 54 players committed for 2024. With the majority of its 14 tournaments held outside the U.S., LIV Golf has introduced a fresh and team-oriented approach to the traditional 54-hole tournament format. Panini wasted no time in kicking off the partnership by promoting the 2024 LIV team sets on its platform, generating buzz around the upcoming releases.
Greg Norman, the Commissioner and CEO of LIV Golf, expressed his enthusiasm for collaborating with Panini. He highlighted the opportunity to bring innovative and engaging products to a global audience of golf fans and collectors. This partnership is anticipated to raise the profiles of LIV Golf players and teams in the collectibles market, a sentiment echoed by Ian Poulter, the co-captain of Majesticks GC, who also expressed excitement about this groundbreaking collaboration.
Mark Warsop, CEO of Panini America, emphasized the unique format and innovative nature of LIV Golf as a catalyst for this partnership. Warsop believes that LIV Golf’s team and league structure adds new dimensions of collectability for fans, aligning perfectly with Panini’s brand ethos. The appeal of LIV Golf to younger audiences, combined with its lineup of world-class players, sets a promising stage for a successful collaboration that is expected to cultivate a strong and enduring fan base.
As Panini gears up to introduce this exciting new line of golf trading cards, golf enthusiasts and collectors can anticipate a collection featuring prominent players, major championship winners, and golf legends. This venture coincides with Upper Deck’s upcoming release of a golf set featuring PGA Tour stars, indicating a rising trend in the interest surrounding golf memorabilia and trading cards. The partnership between Panini and LIV Golf promises to elevate the collectibles market with fresh and captivating offerings for fans of the sport worldwide.
