Panini America Announces Digital Cards with Blockchain
Panini America is once again upping the game in the trading card world.
The largest licensed sports and entertainment collectibles company announced Thursday it will soon introduce blockchain-backed officially licensed digital trading cards. Coming in early January, the trading cards will feature 100 athletes and will incorporate the National Treasures design.
Honus Wagner, Mickey Mantle, Barry Sanders, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge and Zion Williamson are among the athletes that will be shown.
The one-of-one cards will be abailable for auction on Panini’s website, with 10 cards auctioned at a time. The backing of blockchain ensures each card’s legitimacy and provides an unabridged digital record of the card.
“We have spent years researching and exploring the best possible way to incorporate blockchain into our trading cards as another level of authentication – as well as the best way to introduce blockchain to sports fans and collectors,” Mark Warsop, CEO of Panini America, said in a press release.
Going Both Ways
Users who purchase a digital card will also receive a one-of-one physical version of that card. The physical version features an autograph and, in some cases, a piece of memorabilia.
“The blockchain asset will be an exact representation of the physical version of the card,” the press release states.
It’s an initiative idea that could be the future of trading cards. Per its press release, Panini has plans for blockchain versions of cards from upcoming NFL, NBA and MLBPA products.
“A number of factors were considered in selecting the players that will be released in our Panini trading cards that utilize blockchain technology,” Warsop added.
“There is not a more iconic trading card than the rare 1909-11 Honus Wagner T206 baseball card. To be able to produce the first ever Honus Wagner blockchain card, along with all of these other players utilizing blockchain technology and ensuring that these cards will now live forever in the digital realm, is truly an honor.”
I like that you get a physical card as well as the BC rights. It will be interesting to see how the market reacts to this product. “Block chain” is a trendy buzz word now but the product could end up being just like digital cards (which no one gives a dang about) if someone sells the physical card and only keeps the block chain rights.
My son never received his packs. He wrote to Panini & they asked for receipt. We sent receipt then never heard back. It’s going on 2 weeks. We’ve sent numerous emails no response.