Fanatics vs. Panini: What the Antitrust Heat Could Mean for Licenses, Products, and Prices Fanatics locked up a raft of long exclusive trading-card licenses with the big U.S. leagues and players’ unions, then bought Topps. Panini sued for antitrust. A federal judge let the core claims move forward. Discovery is now spicy, with Fanatics ordered to hand over unredacted licensing deals to Panini’s lawyers. If you care about what logos show up on the box you rip and how much you pay, this fight matters. How we got here The license grab. Fanatics struck exclusive card deals that, by 2025–2026, put most major U.S. league and union rights under its roof for a decade or more. Panini called foul and sued in 2023. What the court said. In March 2025, the judge dismissed some counts but kept the core antitrust claims alive. Translation: the heart of the case is going to be litigated, not tossed. Discovery fireworks. In July 2025, a magistrate judge ordered Fanatic...
Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps
Magic: The Gathering (MTG) - First modern trading card game
Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps
-
Lets leave sport cards for a while and tell a few words about Magic: The Gathering - First modern trading card game (MTG).
Dr. Richard Garfield created the first Magic core set: Alpha, which was bought by Wizards of the
Coast and released in August 1993. Due to popular demand, a second Beta print
run was released two months later, followed by a renamed Unlimited Edition. Richard
dubbed the game Magic when he originally created it. Because the name was too
simple to trademark, it was altered to Mana Clash. Because everyone kept
referring to it as Magic, they looked into what they needed to do in order to
refer to it as such. To make it more unique, the solution was to add something
to it. Because the intention was to continually modifying the sub names,
Richard chose "The Gathering" as a starting point.
Arabian Nights was the
first expansion set to contain new cards rather than reprints, and it was
released in December 1993. Ice Age marked the start of the first
"cycle" of thematically linked new releases, now known as a block.
There are currently over seventy expansions, the most recent being Innistrad:
Midnight Hunt.
With the release of
new goods, the entire, official rules for Magic are updated on a regular basis.
The majority of these modifications simply describe and enable new mechanics,
while substantial upgrades, like as the 6th Edition update in 1999 and the
Grand Creature Type Update in 2007, have occurred seldom. It's usual to hear
that a new update will eventually "kill" the game. Despite this, the
game has grown in popularity, with claims that the most recent huge set is the
best-selling set of all time.
The trading card game, the color wheel, and the mana system are three essential elements introduced by Richard Garfield at the game's creation, according to Mark Rosewater. Wizards of the Coast has also been working hard to recruit new players since 2008. A change in game design to reduce complexity creep, organised play opportunities to introduce women to Magic, and better in-game representation of women and minorities are all examples of such attempts. Despite these efforts, the ratio of female players in the game is currently in the mid-twenties, down from 38 percent in recent years.
The 1994 World Championships, held at Gen Con '94, were the first major Magic: The Gathering competition. It was a three-day Constructed event with 512 participants and a single-elimination format.
Zak Dolan, the winner, earned a trophy, as well as booster packs from several expansions spanning from Arabian Nights to Ice Age, a Magic poker deck, and a T-shirt. Skaff Elias, the company's brand manager, stated in 1995 that Organized Play needed to take the next step. The plan was to host multiple tournaments per year that would bring together the greatest players in the world and reward them financially for their commitment to the game. Players should have goals to strive for.
The notion was started by Elias and Mark Rosewater, as well as others. The first Pro Tour, dubbed The Black Lotus Pro Tour, took place in New York on February 16–18, 1996. Three more Pro Tour events were staged throughout the first season, culminating in the 1995 World Championships, which were held in Seattle. A Pro Tour season (one year) consisted of five, and subsequently six, Pro Tours in subsequent years.
The Pro Players Club was a part of the Pro Tour's incentive system. The players' level in the club was defined by the number of points they earned throughout the season, with each level providing distinct perks. It was feasible to make a living as a professional player at the highest levels.
The DCI (previously Duelists' Convocation International) is Magic: The Gathering's official sanctioning body for competitive play. Private event organizers and players can get game rules, tournament operating procedures, and other information from the DCI. It also has a judge certification scheme in place to ensure that regulations are followed consistently and that fair play is promoted. The list of banned and restricted cards, which are regarded too strong in specific tournaments, is controlled by Wizards of the Coast and the DCI.
Players must register for a free membership and get a DCI number in order to compete in sanctioned events. The DCI uses the Elo rating system (Planeswalker Points) to manage a global player rating database, and members have internet access to their complete tournament history. If a member violates the rules frequently or flagrantly, their membership can be suspended for a period of time ranging from one month to a lifetime, depending on the severity of the violation.
Awards
1994, awards from the Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA) for Magic: The Gathering and Legends.
Games Magazine Hall of Fame.
Academy of Adventure Gaming & Design: Best Collectible Card Game of the Year 2015 for Khans of Tarkir.
Frank Thomas 1990 Topps “No Name On Front” Rookie What It Is, How To Spot Fakes, and a Live Listing Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Some errors are funny, some are pricey, and a few are hobby legends. The 1990 Topps Frank Thomas “No Name On Front” rookie (collectors call it NNOF ) checks all three boxes. It is a genuine printing mistake that dropped the black ink from his name plate, it is hard to find in clean shape, and it is one of the most talked-about modern error cards. If you collect 90s baseball or you just love a good hobby mystery, this one belongs on your radar. Quick facts Card: 1990 Topps #414 Frank Thomas, “No Name On Front” error (NNOF) What happened: a black ink pass went missing in part of an early print run, wiping out the name on the front along with other black details Scarcity: authentic copies are limited and tightly held; graded po...
Sonic Meets Magic: The Gathering - The Secret Lair Drop That’s Electrifying Collectors The worlds of high-speed chaos and mana-fueled magic just collided. Wizards of the Coast has dropped a surprise Secret Lair that brings Sonic the Hedgehog into the Magic: The Gathering universe and collectors are already racing to grab it. ⚡ What Is Secret Lair? Secret Lair is a limited print series from MTG, known for flashy alternate art cards and unexpected pop-culture crossovers. They’re printed to order, available only for a short time, and often turn into hot commodities on the secondary market. 🎮 Sonic x MTG: Turbocharged! Released on July 14, 2025 , the “ TURBO GEAR ” Secret Lair celebrates Sonic’s 33rd anniversary with MTG-style flair. This collector’s set includes: 💙 Sonic the Hedgehog – stylized as “Swiftfoot Boots” 🦊 Tails – “Lightning Greaves” variant 🔴 Knuckles – “Fireshrieker” interpretation 🟣 Dr. Eggman – “Lightning Bolt” alt art 💫 Chaos Emer...
Top 10 Rookie Cards to Watch for the 2025 NFL Season Because fantasy teams are fun, but rookie cards can pay your rent. If you’re a football fan and card collector, you already know: NFL rookie cards aren’t just cardboard anymore — they’re investments with cleats. And with the 2025 season kicking off, now’s the perfect time to scout your next big pull. From quarterbacks ready to take over the league to skill players flying under the radar, here are 10 rookie cards you should absolutely keep an eye on this season . Whether you're ripping hobby boxes or scouring eBay at 2 AM (we see you), this list will guide your collecting plays. 1. Drayden Miller (QB - New York Jets) The #1 overall pick comes with all the pressure — and all the upside. If Miller lives up to even 75% of the hype, his 2025 Prizm Silver RC could be this year’s crown jewel. 2. Khalil Thompson (WR - Chicago Bears) Fast, flashy, and already building chemistry with Caleb Williams. Watch for low-numbered par...
Comments
Post a Comment