First Look: 2015 Score football cards
By David Lee | Beckett Media
The first NFL-licensed Panini America product of 2015 will be Score arriving on June 17.
The key to the set will be like years past, including a lower price point with a ton of base cards. Each box will have 24 packs at 12 cards per pack. Boxes will deliver one autograph or memorabilia card on average.
This year’s base set includes more than 400 cards with 100 rookies. Rookies fall up to three per pack. Once again the product will have several parallels indicated by a different color border. These are Showcase, Gold Zone, Artist’s Proof, Red Zone, First Down, End Zone and Gem Masters, numbered to 99 down to one.
The new die-cut “puzzle” cards fit together to form a trio player combination. Collectors can mix and match the combination of these three inserts: Ground Gainers, Precision Passers and Playmakers. Essentially, a team of running backs, quarterbacks and receivers.
Other inserts include Gridiron Heritage, with several all-time legends and what should be the most popular of the product, Rookie Signature Gem Masters. These will have seven different parallel levels just like the base set.
There are also two other autographed inserts: Inscriptions and Score Signature.
What’s been the deal lately with Beckett’s website? It seems like everyday one thing or another doesn’t work.
If Panini is really going to get the NFLPA exclusive in 2016, then they are going to need a 400+ card veteran-based set to replace Topps. This is not that set. It is gaudy and cheap looking. The football card market is already a tire fire with the massive overemphasis on rookies. I am not confident about the future.
I agree with Mark this looks like a total rush job and just because it has a low price point it’s like who really cares about the effort put into it since they have 100s of other products coming out anyway. It would be nice to actually be proud of a product you release that the normal people can afford for once. Not everyone has a $1000 a week in disposable income.
Score has a firm place in football collecting and this is another outstanding Score Football release. I have almost as many customers asking when will 2015 Score release as I do have them ask about 2015 Topps Football. Most of my customers buy both products.
In a perfect world, I would like to see Panini, Topps, Upper Deck, and Leaf all with an NFL License. But, business is business. Without going into a long explanation of the business state of the hobby, the NFL decided it was best to go with one manufacturer. Such is the case with baseball, basketball and hockey. And, until the financial state of the hobby changes, exclusive licenses will continue for the foreseeable future.
Topps Football lovers, and I am one of you, don’t jump off the ship. It is not 2016 just yet. Enjoy Topps football products in 2015. At the 2015 Las Vegas Industry Summit, Topps management said they will continue to produce Topps football products for 2016 in some form or fashion. I know, it won’t be the same; but don’t worry. I believe you will be pleasantly surprised with what Panini America comes up with in the 2016 football season.
2014-15 Panini Select Basketball has been my customer’s favorite product (of any sport) of all time. We are into our 23rd case and Select Basketball is receiving rave reviews from collectors everywhere. You will see this same winning formula and design in 2015 Panini Select Football. I have seen Panini products improve every year. Look for more great products to come in 2015 and 2016.
All I have to say is that if Topps is not producing licensed NFL cards they will end up like being like Fleer. They will be way over produced like all the modern cards thus shoving value down because the demand isn’t there like it used to be. BTW these leagues are making millions from these card companies. Why can’t there be more than one licensee per sport. I guess if the leagues didn’t require so much money for the license then companies like Topps, upper deck, and panini wouldn’t have to produce 30 sets a year to brake even. I guess I will stop collecting for a while. The state of the hobby is so discouraging right now
The design looks a little retro like UD MVP from the late 1990s but at the same time it looks a little futuristic in its design. Score had a great run from 2007-2011 it got a little off kilter in 2012 and 2013 – The 2014 started to get the set back on track. This set with 400 card looks to be awesome and maybe the most collectible Score set in years. Long Love Score Football