WWE trading card license moves to Panini in a multi-year agreement beginning in 2022.
Previously held by Topps since 2005, the new deal will include trading cards as well as stickers, with Panini as the new exclusive trading card partner for WWE.
The Panini and Topps major sports trading card licenses will in fact both move to Fanatics sometime in the next few years, with the merchandise conglomerate having signed deals with MLB, NFL and NBA leagues and players for trading card production to all move to one company.
Fans can expect several lines and products to be released during the first year of this landmark partnership, with Panini America (the Panini U.S. subsidiary) handling the WWE trading card line.
First up in the product releases for next year with Panini as the new license holder for WWE is the 2022 WWE Prizm set. This is timed to be available to the public during the lead up to WrestleMania, which is WWE’s largest and most popular annual event. The event will be held on April 2 and 3 in Dallas, Texas at the AT&T Stadium, with the new 2022 WWE Prizm cards to be available at mass retailers including Walmart and Target, plus hobby stores nationwide and online for fans to grab before the event.
“We have always been intrigued by WWE as a license partner and their fans’ incredible passion,” said Panini America CEO Mark Warsop. “Our entire team is looking forward to adding WWE, a truly iconic license, to our roster of exclusive partners. We have big plans for our WWE portfolio and the new heights we can help WWE trading cards and stickers reach in the collectibles arena.”
With a 60-year history in collectibles and cards for sport and entertainment, Panini believes this partnership will further cement the foothold they have in trading cards through the US, Europe and Asia, with a hope to grow the WWE category globally, according to Scott Zanghellini, WWE Senior Vice President, Revenue Strategy & Development.
