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Showing posts from August, 2023

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 History and Evolution of Trading Cards: A Journey Through Time

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Trading cards have been a part of global culture for generations. They’ve captured the imagination of collectors, preserved historic moments, and even reflected society’s changing tastes. What started as simple promotions has evolved into a full-blown collecting phenomenon — from tobacco ads to blockchain-backed digital cards. The Early Days The roots of trading cards go back to the late 1800s. Back then, cards were added to cigarette packs as a marketing tactic — and often featured athletes, actors, and military heroes . A standout from this period is the Mayo Cut Plug set from 1887. Over time, collectors began treating these cards as much more than throw-ins. The Golden Era In the early to mid-20th century, trading cards evolved into full-fledged collectibles. Baseball cards in particular became American icons. Brands like Topps, Bowman, and later Panini turned these cards into must-have items, adding stats, trivia, and even chewing gum to sweeten ...
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The Exciting World of Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Cards

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The Epic History of Yu-Gi-Oh! and Its Most Valuable Cards Yu-Gi-Oh! is more than just a trading card game. For millions of fans around the world, it's a piece of childhood, a community, and a game of strategy that continues to evolve. Whether you're a long-time duelist or just curious about the craze, here's everything you should know about Yu-Gi-Oh!'s origins, card values, and cultural impact. The Origins of Yu-Gi-Oh! Yu-Gi-Oh! started in 1996 as a manga series created by Kazuki Takahashi and published in Weekly Shonen Jump . Interestingly, the early chapters focused on many different types of games. It wasn’t until the introduction of "Duel Monsters" that the card game truly took off. The name “Yu-Gi-Oh!” means “King of Games,” and it fits perfectly with the franchise’s competitive and strategic nature. How It Became a Global Phenomenon The manga’s popularity led to the release of an anime series and, most impor...
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