Fanatics vs Panini Antitrust Fight: What It Means for Licenses, Products, and Prices

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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...
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The Black Lotus

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The Legendary Black Lotus
Still the King of Magic: The Gathering

Magic: The Gathering has been shaping card gaming history since 1993. But among all the thousands of cards printed, one remains unmatched in power, prestige, and price: the Black Lotus from the Alpha set.

Black Lotus Card from Magic: The Gathering's Alpha Set
The Alpha print of Black Lotus — the hobby’s holy grail

What makes Black Lotus so special? It lets players add three mana of any one color to their pool for free. In a game where tempo can win or lose matches, this early boost is incredibly powerful. That’s why it’s been banned in most formats and revered in all.

Originally printed in 1993, the Alpha set only produced around 1,100 copies of Black Lotus. Its iconic artwork by Christopher Rush, clean layout, and mind-blowing game impact made it instantly legendary. Over time, it also became a status symbol - a "crown jewel" in any serious Magic collection.

Sales history? One pristine Alpha Black Lotus signed by the artist sold for over $500,000. Even damaged copies still reach five-figure prices. And yes, demand remains high to this day.

Black Lotus Card Close-up
Even the artwork screams power and mystique

In 2025, Black Lotus remains the most iconic card in Magic history. Whether you’re a veteran player, a serious investor, or just a curious collector, it’s the one card that always makes the hobby headlines.

💬 Have you ever seen one in person? Would you hold or flip it if you had the chance? Let us know below!

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