Panini, a giant in the world of sports trading cards, has swung its way into golf territory by striking an exclusive deal with LIV Golf. This groundbreaking partnership marks Panini’s foray into the realm of golf trading cards, giving them the exclusive rights to create and distribute trading cards featuring LIV Golf’s top players.
While Panini has a rich history of producing sports cards, with a legacy that stretches back to the early ’80s under the Donruss brand, this collaboration with LIV Golf represents a fresh start since Panini acquired Donruss. The deal promises a whole new line of golf trading card products, designed to offer something unique to avid fans and collectors across the globe.
Panini’s initial offerings will include physical trading cards featuring match-worn memorabilia and player autographs. The first batch of LIV Golf trading cards will be launched under Panini’s renowned Prizm and Impeccable brands. Additionally, Panini will introduce a real-time card program called Panini Instant, capturing highlights and memorable moments from tournaments and seasons, as well as releasing LIV Golf Team sets.
LIV Golf, established in 2022 with backing from Saudi Arabia, boasts a lineup of 54 players committed for the 2024 season. The tour offers a unique twist with a majority of its 14 stops taking place outside the U.S., incorporating a team format into its 54-hole tournaments. Panini has wasted no time and has already started promoting the 2024 LIV team sets on its platform, hinting at the rapid progress of this collaboration.
Greg Norman, the Commissioner and CEO of LIV Golf, expressed his excitement about joining forces with Panini, emphasizing the chance to bring innovative products to a global audience of fans and collectors. This partnership is viewed as a way to raise the profiles of LIV Golf players and teams in the collectibles market. Ian Poulter, co-captain of Majesticks GC, is thrilled about the collaboration with a leading trading card brand, echoing the sentiment of excitement shared by many involved.
Mark Warsop, CEO of Panini America, highlighted the unique and innovative structure of LIV Golf as a crucial factor in cementing this partnership. Warsop believes that the team and league setup of LIV Golf adds new dimensions of collectability for fans, particularly appealing to younger audiences. With a roster of top-tier players, LIV Golf aligns perfectly with Panini’s brand, setting the stage for a fruitful partnership that aims to build a strong and lasting fan base.
As Panini gears up to launch this exciting new line of golf trading cards, LIV Golf boasts a star-studded field featuring major championship winners and golf legends, ensuring an enticing product offering for golf enthusiasts and collectors alike. This partnership comes at a time when Upper Deck is also gearing up to release its latest golf set, featuring PGA Tour stars, underscoring the surging interest in golf memorabilia and trading cards among fans.
