The NBA has signed a deal with Panini that gives the NBPA its the first major agreement since taking player marketing rights in-house from the NBA under the new CBA. The exclusive multiyear agreement is for NBA in-uniform player trading cards and stickers and begins with the '17-18 season. The deal also renews Panini’s multiyear agreement with the NBA that began in '09 for rights to team marks and NBA-related events. Financial terms were not disclosed. Panini America CEO Mark Warsop said, “We are happy to attain those rights. The NBA is the one sport in the category that has seen significant growth.” The union does not officially take the rights in-house until July 1, and NBPA CMO Jordan Schlachter called the Panini deal a "great start." Schlachter: “We are focused on making sure the relationships we have with existing partners like Panini continue to flourish as the group licensing rights transition to the union.” The deal comes after the union took its player marketing rights in-house after more than two decades of leasing them to the NBA. The NBPA was the only union of the major stick-and-ball sports to license out its rights. According to its most recent LM-2 filing, the NBPA received around $41M from the league during the FY ending June 30, 2016, in payment for its licensing and sponsorship rights. "The continuation of our relationship will allow Panini to keep building upon the success we have had over the last 8 years,” said NBA President of Global Partnerships Sal LaRocca.
