Panini, a powerhouse in the sports trading card industry, has teed off on a new venture, striking an exclusive partnership with LIV Golf. This groundbreaking deal, announced recently, marks Panini’s entry into the realm of golf trading cards, expanding its portfolio beyond its well-established presence in other sports.
The collaboration between Panini and LIV Golf grants Panini exclusive rights to craft and distribute trading cards featuring the talented roster of LIV Golf’s players. While Panini already boasts a history of producing golf cards under the Donruss brand in the early ’80s, this partnership signifies a fresh foray into the golf collectibles market since Panini’s acquisition of Donruss.
Through this exciting partnership, Panini is set to introduce a brand-new line of golf trading card products, with a focus on delivering something truly unique to fans and collectors worldwide. The initial offerings will include physical trading cards showcasing match-worn memorabilia and player autographs. Noteworthy collections such as Prizm and Impeccable will feature the first LIV Golf trading cards, alongside a real-time Panini Instant card series capturing the most thrilling highlights and memorable moments from tournaments and seasons. Additionally, fans can expect LIV Golf Team sets capturing the essence of the 54-hole tournaments and the team element introduced by the tour.
LIV Golf, established in 2022 with backing from Saudi Arabia, boasts a roster of 54 players committed for 2024 and features a majority of its 14 tour stops outside the U.S. The tour’s innovative team-based format has captivated the golfing world, adding a fresh twist to traditional tournaments and piquing the interest of fans globally. Panini has wasted no time in promoting the 2024 LIV team sets on its platform, signaling the rapid progress of this budding partnership.
Greg Norman, Commissioner and CEO of LIV Golf, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration with Panini, emphasizing the opportunity to introduce cutting-edge products to a diverse audience of fans and collectors worldwide. This partnership is envisioned as a means to elevate the profiles of LIV Golf players and teams in the collectibles market, a sentiment echoed by Majesticks GC co-captain Ian Poulter, who eagerly anticipates the collaboration with a leading trading card brand.
Mark Warsop, CEO of Panini America, highlighted LIV Golf’s innovative team structure as a pivotal factor in the formation of this partnership. Warsop believes that the unique appeal of LIV Golf, coupled with its array of world-class players, aligns seamlessly with Panini’s brand image, setting the stage for a successful collaboration that will resonate with fans of all ages.
As Panini gears up to unveil its distinctive line of golf trading cards, LIV Golf shines with a star-studded lineup, boasting major championship winners and golfing legends. This partnership comes at a time when Upper Deck is also gearing up to release its new golf set featuring PGA Tour stars, underscoring the growing popularity of golf memorabilia and trading cards among enthusiasts. The synergy between Panini and LIV Golf promises an exciting new chapter in the world of golf collectibles, offering fans and collectors alike an unparalleled experience in the realm of sports trading cards.
