Panini America Inks Exclusive Multi-year Trading Card Agreement With New Orleans Hornets No. 1 Overall Pick Anthony Davis

IRVING, Texas, Aug. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Panini America (www.paniniamerica.net), the world's largest sports and entertainment collectibles company and the exclusive licensed trading card partner of the NBA, announced today that it has reached an exclusive multi-year trading card agreement with Anthony Davis, the No. 1 overall pick of the New Orleans Hornets in the 2012 NBA Draft. Davis is the fourth No. 1 overall pick to sign exclusively with Panini America since 2009. Past number one overall picks include Blake Griffin, John Wall and Kyrie Irving.

Photo: (http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120801/DA49465)

The agreement grants Panini America exclusive rights to produce autographed trading cards of the future NBA star. Previously, Panini had announced that it had signed exclusive deals with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (#2 Overall, Charlotte Bobcats), Thomas Robinson (#5 Overall, Sacramento Kings), Harrison Barnes (#7 Overall, Golden State Warriors), Andre Drummond (#9 Overall, Detroit Pistons), Austin Rivers (#10 Overall, New Orleans Hornets), John Henson (#14 Overall, Milwaukee Bucks) and Jared Sullinger (#21 Overall, Boston Celtics).

In all, Panini has now confirmed autographed trading card deals with 54 of the 60 NBA Draft Picks, as well as 12 undrafted NBA rookies – ensuring that all of the NBA's key rookies will be featured as part of the Panini Double Rookie Class.

A talented crop of 2012 rookies will join key members of the 2011 NBA Draft class, including 2011-12 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving, Derrick Williams, Kenneth Faried and more to make collectibles industry history during the 2012-13 NBA season as part of basketball's first Double Rookie Card class. The much-anticipated Panini Double Rookie Class will debut with the launch of the 2012-13 NBA HOOPS which will be available at retail and hobby shops nationwide on Wednesday, August 15.

The leading scorer (14.2 ppg) at the University of Kentucky and the leading shot-blocker (4.7 per game) in the nation, Davis was widely considered the best player in the country as a freshman last season. He led the Wildcats to the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship title while earning National Player of the Year honors and SEC awards for Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year.

"Anthony Davis is a tremendous player – not only on the basketball court but also in the world of officially licensed trading cards – and his impact on our complete line of 2012-13 NBA products will be substantial," said Panini America CEO Mark Warsop. "We proudly welcome him into the Panini America family, where his Rookie Cards will be among the most coveted collectibles in the sports world next season."

ABOUT PANINI:

The Panini Group, established almost 50 years ago in Modena, Italy, has subsidiaries throughout Europe, Latin America and the United States. Panini is the world leader in officially licensed collectibles and is the most significant publisher of collectibles in the U.S., with official licenses for MLBPA, NBA, NFL, NHL, FIFA, USA Baseball, Disney, Nickelodeon, Warner Bros. and other key properties from many other licensors. Panini has distribution channels in more than 100 countries and employs a staff of over 800. For more information visit us at www.paniniamerica.net, www.paninigroup.com or www.paniniamerica.wordpress.com. You can also follow Panini America on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter and on YouTube.

Panini America became the exclusive trading card partner of the NBA beginning with the 2009-10 season. The Panini Group purchased the industry's second-oldest trading-card company, Donruss, in March 2009 and formed the new subsidiary, Panini America, Inc. Since that time, Panini has taken significant steps to fortify its position in the sports card category as a whole and the basketball landscape in particular, including an exclusive marketing and advertising partnership with the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Media Contact:
Tracy Hackler, Panini America
214-552-3475
[email protected]

SOURCE Panini America