Blake Griffin The Latest NBA Star To Sign An Exclusive Deal With Panini America

Looking to build up its soon-to-launched memorabilia line, Panini America has signed Clippers F and NBA Slam Dunk Contest winner Blake Griffin to an exclusive multiyear deal. Griffin joins Lakers G Kobe Bryant, Thunder F Kevin Durant and Wizards G John Wall on Panini’s roster of exclusive athletes. The company will use Griffin’s autograph and memorabilia in its card line and for the launch of the Panini Authentic memorabilia line next month. Griffin also will be used on Panini packaging and advertising. “Griffin’s established a national profile in a very short time, his rookie card is attracting huge prices and generally in huge demand for such a young player,” said Panini CEO Mark Warsop, who is forecasting that Panini Authentic will be a seven-figure business in its first year. Its May launch will be as an online store, and it will eventually spread to trading-card hobby stores. Products will range from photos for $29.95 to signed game-used sneakers from Bryant from the NBA Finals, priced in the thousands.