10.29
By Chris Olds | Beckett Basketball Editor| Commentary
With Panini America‘s new multi-year licensing deal with the NBA, it’s quite possible that the remainder of Kobe Bryant‘s professional career will only be documented on cards made by the Italian company.
And that’s fitting considering that Kobe spent part of his childhood in Italy when his dad played pro basketball there — but that’s not part of what interests his kids these days at all, no matter what Daddy decides to do in a few years.
“The Anthology thing they are doing is pretty cool,” Bryant said. “You get a chance to go back and look at the career throughout the years. The kids enjoy it because they get to go back and look at Daddy’s Afro and all of that good stuff. It’s been a great partnership.
” … My kids, they just think it’s cool. It’s just cool. You have a card, you look at it, you check it out. For them, they like looking at Dad’s Afro. For them it’s just cool to have, they can pass it around, share it with their classmates. ”
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10.29
By Chris Olds | Beckett Basketball Editor
Panini America will star on the hardwood a few more years.
The NBA announced on Monday morning that it signed a new multi-year licensing agreement with the Texas-based branch of the world’s largest collectibles company, once again making Panini the exclusive card and sticker manufacturer of the league.
Panini’s presence in the United States began in 2009 with its purchase of Donruss/Playoff and its acquisition of an NBA license. Now, it also has licenses with the NFL, NHL and MLB Players Association. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it is believed that the deal is for five years and runs through 2017.
The news came via a conference call with Sal LaRocca, the Executive Vice President Global Merchandising Group, along with Mark Warsop, the CEO of Panini America, and Kobe Bryant, the five-time NBA champion and Panini spokesman.
“Our companies share a collective interest in promoting our brands worldwide,” LaRocca said in a prepared release. “Panini has continually demonstrated the ability and commitment to creating products that appeal to our fans on a global basis.”
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10.29
By Susan Lulgjuraj | Beckett Sports Card Monthly Editor
American tennis great Pete Sampras has joined a list of tennis stars offering event-used memorabilia.
Sampras signed on with The MeiGray Group, a New Jersey-based authentication company, to be included in the company’s United States Tennis Association Match-Used Authentication Program, the company announced.
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10.29
Beckett Customer Appreciation Month continues where registered users can win great prizes throughout October.
Go to www.Beckett.com/customerappreciation and click on “Enter the Contest.”
There is a limit of one entry per day and you need a valid name and email address registered with your Beckett.com account.
Visit the Beckett Forums to see daily winners.
Today’s prize: 2011 In the Game Canadiana Mega Memorabilia #MM40 Shania Twain
ENTER NOW!
10.28
By Chris Olds | Beckett Baseball Editor
For the second time in three years, the San Francisco Giants are your World Series champs.
We simply want to know … after a four-game sweep of Detroit and Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera, which Giant is the best to collect? Pick one below or tell us in the comments.
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Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Baseball magazine. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an email to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.
10.28
By Susan Lulgjuraj | Beckett Hockey Editor
Hockey fans attending the 2012 Sportscard & Memorabilia Show in Toronto will be happy to learn Upper Deck’s Priority Signing wrapper redemption program is back.
To take part, Collectors have to purchase a hockey hobby box of 2012-13 O-Pee-Chee, 2012-13 Artifacts or 2012-13 Upper Deck Series 1 from a Certified Diamond Dealer at the show. They will receive a voucher that can be redeemed (along with the wrappers from the box) at specific times at the Upper Deck booth.
In return, collectors will get one random NHL Priority Signings autograph card.
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10.27
By Chris Olds | Beckett Baseball Editor | Commentary
Sometimes I wonder if authentication goes too far … but then I remember there’s something for everybody out there to collect.
Currently on the auction block via MLB Auctions is a selection of game-used items relating to the San Francisco Giants‘ march to the World Series. You can track down a game-used ball from the team’s playoff run, an on-deck circle or even jerseys from the team’s last World Series run but the quirkiest item on the block just might be this.
A post-game NLDS celebration-used champagne bottle cork.
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10.26
By Susan Lulgjuraj | Beckett Football Editor
Sometimes there’s a story that seems to move people. It touches people in a way least expected.
This is happening right now with the Nelkin family. The couple reached out earlier this month to the media to get out their story in hopes of getting attention for a card they were going to sell on eBay.
See the current auction here. 
The proceeds will go toward a procedure to help them have a baby.
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10.26
By Susan Lulgjuraj | Beckett Football Editor
Panini America’s 2012 Gridiron Football came out this week with a slightly tweaked name and some impressive photos on the base cards.
Some of the most popular cards from the set, however, have barely anything to do with photos.
The pull out signed jersey cards, Gridiron Gems, are garnering some of the most interest from card collectors.
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