Panini, a powerhouse in the sports trading card industry, has taken a leap into the world of golf with an exclusive partnership with LIV Golf. This groundbreaking deal marks Panini’s first foray into golf trading cards, giving them the exclusive rights to produce and distribute trading cards featuring LIV Golf’s talented players.
The history behind this collaboration traces back to Panini’s roots with golf cards under the Donruss brand in the early ’80s. However, this new venture under the Panini umbrella signifies a fresh direction since their acquisition of Donruss, showcasing their commitment to diversifying their sports card portfolio.
The agreement between Panini and LIV Golf will result in the creation of a brand-new line of golf trading card products. Panini aims to offer fans and collectors something exceptional with their offerings, including physical trading cards that may feature match-worn memorabilia and player autographs. The first batch of LIV Golf trading cards will make their debut under Panini’s renowned Prizm and Impeccable brands. Additionally, fans can look forward to a real-time Panini Instant card program capturing highlights and memorable moments from tournaments and seasons, as well as special LIV Golf Team sets.
LIV Golf, founded in 2022 and supported by Saudi Arabian backing, boasts 54 committed players for the 2024 season. The tour’s unique format includes a majority of its 14 stops outside the U.S. and incorporates a team element into the traditional 54-hole tournament structure. With Panini wasting no time in marketing the 2024 LIV team sets on their website, the momentum behind this collaboration is undoubtedly building.
Greg Norman, Commissioner and CEO of LIV Golf, lauded the partnership with Panini, emphasizing the opportunity to introduce innovative products to a global audience of golf fans and collectors. The collaboration is anticipated to not only elevate the visibility of LIV Golf players and teams in the collectibles market but also bring a fresh perspective to the realm of golf trading cards. Golf enthusiasts, including Majesticks GC co-captain Ian Poulter, have expressed their excitement about this partnership with Panini, underscoring the significance of joining forces with a leading trading card brand.
Mark Warsop, CEO of Panini America, highlighted LIV Golf’s unique and innovative format as a driving force behind this collaboration. The team and league structure of LIV Golf present new avenues for collectability among fans, with Warsop recognizing the appeal to younger audiences and the caliber of players associated with LIV Golf. This alignment with Panini’s brand ethos sets a promising stage for a successful partnership, aiming to engage a burgeoning fan base and solidify Panini’s presence in the golf trading card market.
As Panini gears up to introduce this exciting line of LIV Golf trading cards, featuring a roster of top players, including major championship winners and golf legends, anticipation is running high among golf enthusiasts and collectors. The timing of this partnership coincides with Upper Deck’s upcoming release of a golf set showcasing PGA Tour stars, indicating a growing interest in golf memorabilia and trading cards in the sports collectibles landscape.
