Panini, known for its sports trading cards, has stepped onto the green with an exclusive deal with LIV Golf announced recently. This groundbreaking partnership marks Panini’s first foray into the golfing world, granting them exclusive rights to create and distribute trading cards featuring LIV Golf’s talented players. While Panini has had a historical connection to golf through Donruss brand cards in the ’80s, this new collaboration signals a fresh chapter following Panini’s acquisition of Donruss.
The agreement will see Panini rolling out a brand-new line of golf trading card products, designed to captivate fans and collectors globally. Panini’s initial offerings will include physical trading cards featuring match-worn memorabilia and player autographs. The first wave of LIV Golf trading cards will debut under Panini’s renowned Prizm and Impeccable brands, along with a dynamic Panini Instant card series capturing highlights and memorable moments from tournaments and seasons, plus LIV Golf Team sets.
LIV Golf, founded in 2022 with the backing of Saudi Arabia, boasts 54 players committed for 2024. The tour, featuring a majority of its events outside the U.S. and introducing a team dynamic to 54-hole tournaments, has already piqued the interest of fans. Panini has wasted no time in promoting the 2024 LIV team sets on its platform, signaling the swift progression of this collaboration.
Greg Norman, Commissioner and CEO of LIV Golf, expressed his excitement for the partnership with Panini, emphasizing the opportunity to introduce innovative products to a global audience of fans and collectors. This collaboration is seen as a means to elevate the profiles of LIV Golf players and teams in the collectibles realm, a sentiment echoed by Majesticks GC co-captain Ian Poulter, who eagerly anticipates the partnership with a leading trading card brand.
Mark Warsop, CEO of Panini America, highlighted the unique format of LIV Golf as a pivotal factor in establishing this partnership. Warsop believes that the team and league structure of LIV Golf opens up fresh dimensions for collectors, particularly appealing to younger audiences with its roster of world-class players. This alignment with Panini’s brand sets the stage for a successful partnership, aiming to forge a strong fan base and create lasting excitement among collectors.
As Panini gears up to unveil this exciting line of golf trading cards, LIV Golf boasts a roster of renowned players, including major championship victors and golf legends. This collaboration comes at a time when Upper Deck is also preparing to release its newest golf set featuring PGA Tour stars, underscoring the increasing interest in golf memorabilia and trading cards among enthusiasts.
