Upper Deck signs Mike Tyson to autograph and memorabilia deal
By Susan Lulgjuraj | Contributing Editor
Mike Tyson is getting in the ring with Upper Deck.
The California-based card company has signed the famous boxer to an autograph and memorabilia deal. Tyson will appear in upcoming trading card releases, making his debut in 2012 Goodwin Champions.
“Having the opportunity to partner with Mike Tyson provides Upper Deck the chance to bring the boxing community innovative and quality collectibles the likes of which they have never seen,” said Jason Masherah, Upper Deck’s vice president of Marketing and Business Development. “Collectors will get quite a thrill when they pull an autograph card of ‘Iron’ Mike from new Upper Deck packs. Our Upper Deck Authenticated team is thrilled about developing signed memorabilia for Tyson that will become the primary talking piece for any room they are displayed in.”
One of the other sets it seems Tyson will appear in will be All-Time Greats. Upper Deck created a mock up of a potential card. Tyson is pictured holding up his hands in what seems like after a boxing match during his glory days – pre-face tattoo.
The gold ink signature makes the autograph pop off the card.
Upper Deck will have a signing soon with Tyson and will release pictures from the session afterward.
One of the company’s most anticipated items will be a “Tegata” signed piece, which will not only have Tyson’s autograph, but an ink hand print as well. Upper Deck has used this design with Michael Jordan and LeBron James in the past.
Tyson’s autograph cards first appeared in 2006 Topps Allen & Ginter. He has since signed for Sportskings, Ringside Boxing and Leaf.
Susan Lulgjuraj is a contributing editor for Beckett Media. You can email Susan here. Follow her on Twitter here.
looks good
Tyson’s agent should have let him know that Upper Deck doesn’t have any money to actually pay him.
How does Upper Deck do this? They just got into another law suit, which makes at least 6 active law suits where they owe money, and yet they pull in another name for AU and Mem stuff. Either he doesn’t know who he’s dealing with, really needs any penny Upper Deck can give him and is willing to sue them if he doesn’t, or Upper Deck has some great salesman. Amazing.
How can Upper Deck be signing anyone in any sport after they are getting the pants sued off of them.
Im sorry but this seems like a desperate move on both UD’s part and Tyson’s.
Tyson needs money and UD needs interest from the collectors.
For UD I don’t see this as a reason to go out and start busting packs. Having Tyson autos is about 15 years too late.
Obviously UD must try and think out of the box to stay competitive but they shot themselves in the foot and there are too many other products out there for me to support UD at this point.
Nice try, but I’ll pass on Goodwin this year.
“Tyson is pictured holding up his hands in what seems like after a boxing match during his glory days – pre-face tattoo.”
Uh, the tattoo is pretty visible in the photo of that ATG card…
This is not that big of news considering Tyson has recently signed for Topps, Sportkings, and Ringside Boxing.
No, Tyson does not “need” the money; at least not in the same way he used to.
He made a nice chunk of change from the 2nd Hangover movie, though with 8 kids
you have to hope his Vegas act does well.
I figure that as long as does not allow Don King anywhere near his paycheck …..
I’m also reasonably sure that anyone doing a deal with UD these days gets paid
first. I’m pretty sure that his web site generates a nice stream of income too.
I would be more excited, but I already own a nice auto card of his from leaf metal.
Dear Mike:
You might want to try cashing that check right away..
@Richard
Yes, Tyson NEEDS the money. His role in The Hangover was minor at best. 300k for both movies.
He was once worth over $300 million.
From the drug habit, children, IRS, creditors and extravagant lifestyle, he has plenty of reasons to need money at this point.
The hangover was just the spark.
He has a website, a show in Vegas, and a piece of the sound track for the movie.
He also get paid a bit on the DVD sales, etc. Yes, he got paid relatively little, and
yes he managed to lose a lot of money due to bad judgment and people that ripped
him off, but I think he is still doing better than a lot of people assuming he truly
has got clean. Not where he could be if he had better people and judgement, but
pretty damn good for a former thug from the streets.
Upper Deck now spending more money that they don’t have. How are they able to sign anyone? I mean, Mike might be desperate for money, but barking up the Upper Deck tree, is definitely not going to pay off. I look to see a Tyson v. Upper Deck lawsuit within the next 6 months. Is Mike Tyson really the guy you want to be mad at you? *sigh a desperate signing by a desperate company. Please do the collectors a favor Upper Deck, and get your stuff in order before you kill the hobby.
I can feel it comming in the air tonight..wait this IS the best part.
Upper Deck is a little slow keeping up and WE all know why. I wouldn’t like to spend 300+ in that Greats product to hit a Tyson box but what i think it will be one of those multi-player boxes.
Still not much news here I guess you might get one of those Tyson EVOLUTION VID-CARDS.
TW
I hope he got paid up front.
Good luck collecting on any redemptions. As slow as UD is in getting them out, I am sure they will have stiffed Mike by that point.
Looking forward to lucking in on one of those Tyson autos from UD. I don’t waste money on garbage from ITG or Panini so looks like this is a good option.
the cards look nice
i hope that this means that Upper Deck is here to stay