Panini, well-known for its sports trading cards across various disciplines, has ventured into the world of golf trading cards through a groundbreaking collaboration with LIV Golf. The exclusive partnership, unveiled recently, grants Panini the sole rights to design and distribute trading cards showcasing the talents of LIV Golf’s players, marking a significant milestone for the company in the golf card market.
While Panini has a historical connection to golf cards through the Donruss brand dating back to the early ’80s, this collaboration with LIV Golf signifies a fresh chapter following Panini’s acquisition of Donruss. By securing this deal, Panini aims to introduce a brand-new line of golf trading card products, setting out to offer golf enthusiasts and collectors around the globe something new and exciting to add to their collections.
The forthcoming offerings from Panini will encompass a range of physical trading cards, including those featuring match-worn memorabilia and player autographs. Noteworthy additions to the collection will be the initial LIV Golf trading cards released under Panini’s acclaimed Prizm and Impeccable brands. Additionally, Panini will introduce a real-time Panini Instant card program, capturing standout moments and highlights from tournaments and seasons, along with specialized LIV Golf Team sets.
LIV Golf, established in 2022 and backed by Saudi Arabian support, boasts a roster of 54 players committed for the 2024 season. The tour’s unique format includes 14 tournaments held primarily outside the U.S., with a team-based structure incorporated into the 54-hole events. Panini has wasted no time promoting the 2024 LIV team sets on its platform, underlining the rapid progress of this newfound partnership.
Praising the collaboration, LIV Golf Commissioner and CEO Greg Norman expressed his excitement over the prospects of introducing innovative products to a global audience of fans and collectors. The alliance between Panini and LIV Golf is anticipated to raise the profiles of the tour’s players and teams in the realm of collectibles. This sentiment was echoed by Majesticks GC co-captain Ian Poulter, who emphasized his enthusiasm for teaming up with a renowned trading card brand like Panini.
Mark Warsop, CEO of Panini America, highlighted LIV Golf’s distinctive and progressive format as a significant factor in cementing the partnership. Warsop believes that the team-oriented structure of LIV Golf offers fresh avenues of collectability for fans, particularly appealing to younger audiences. The stellar lineup of world-class players within LIV Golf aligns seamlessly with Panini’s brand ethos, laying a solid foundation for a prosperous collaboration and the cultivation of a dedicated fan base.
As Panini gears up to unveil its dynamic new line of golf trading cards, LIV Golf features a lineup of prominent players, including multiple major championship victors and revered golf icons. This partnership emerges at a time when Upper Deck is also gearing up to launch its latest golf set featuring stars from the PGA Tour, indicating a rising interest in golf memorabilia and trading cards among enthusiasts and collectors alike.
