Panini, renowned for its diverse range of sports trading cards, is teeing up a new venture with LIV Golf. Partnering for the first time in the realm of golf, Panini has secured exclusive rights to craft and circulate trading cards spotlighting LIV Golf’s esteemed players. The announcement of this groundbreaking collaboration signifies a significant step forward for Panini, especially following its acquisition of Donruss and the subsequent expansion of its sports trading card repertoire.
This exclusive deal paves the way for Panini to unveil a fresh lineup of golf trading card products, aiming to captivate fans and collectors worldwide with unique offerings. Fans can anticipate a wide array of physical trading cards, including those featuring match-worn memorabilia and player autographs. Notably, the inaugural LIV Golf trading cards will debut under Panini’s respected Prizm and Impeccable brands. Additionally, Panini will introduce a real-time Panini Instant card program, capturing exhilarating highlights and cherished moments from tournaments and seasons, alongside exclusive LIV Golf Team sets.
LIV Golf, established in 2022 and generously backed by Saudi Arabian supporters, boasts a roster of 54 committed players for 2024. The tour’s schedule of 14 global stops, with the majority held outside the U.S., offers a distinctive team dynamic in its 54-hole tournaments. Panini has wasted no time in showcasing the 2024 LIV team sets on its platform, showcasing the rapid strides taken in this promising partnership.
Excitement reverberates on both sides of the collaboration, with LIV Golf Commissioner and CEO Greg Norman lauding the chance to introduce cutting-edge products to a worldwide audience of enthusiasts and collectors. This fusion of sports and collectibles is poised to enhance the profiles of LIV Golf players and teams, resonating with Majesticks GC co-captain Ian Poulter, who eagerly anticipates aligning with a premier trading card brand.
Mark Warsop, CEO of Panini America, underscored the innovative structure of LIV Golf as a pivotal factor in cementing this alliance. Warsop believes that the team and league framework of LIV Golf unlocks fresh avenues of collectability for fans, aligning seamlessly with Panini’s ethos and propelling a collaborative journey towards building an enduring fan base.
With the imminent launch of this dynamic card assortment, LIV Golf showcases an array of marquee players, featuring major championship victors and renowned golf icons. This partnership comes on the heels of Upper Deck’s impending release of its latest golf set spotlighting PGA Tour luminaries, reflecting the burgeoning interest in golf memorabilia and trading cards among aficionados.