Panini America adds Texas Longhorns to licenses
By Chris Olds | Beckett Sports Card Monthly Editor
Panini America hooked ’em.
The University of Texas Longhorns are the latest major college to sign on with Panini America as its push to become an industry leader in the college ranks continues. The school’s logo will now be used in the company’s baseball, football and basketball products on an exclusive basis with Longhorns-focused multi-sport products also on the tarmac beginning in the spring.
“We are very happy to have The University of Texas join Panini as an exclusive partner. The Longhorns have such a great heritage and continue to produce top student-athletes that go on to very successful professional careers,” said Mark Warsop, Panini America CEO in a prepared release. “We look forward to getting started and producing great products for Longhorns fans.”
Last week, the company announced new deals with more than 200 schools. Among its portfolio are Mississippi State, Georgia, Kentucky, Miami, Kansas State and Baylor.
“We underwent a thorough evaluation of the trading card category and it was clear that Panini was the best positioned to best represent The University of Texas and produce compelling Longhorns trading card products for our fans,” said Craig Westemeier, Associate Athletics Director at the University of Texas at Austin. “We are looking forward to a great partnership.”
Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Baseball and Beckett Sports Card Monthly magazines. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an email to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.
