Panini America and the WNBA Reach Historic Agreement
Panini America and the WNBA Players Association have finalized a new licensing agreement, the company announced on Thursday. This agreement represents the largest licensing deal on record for a women’s sports rights entity. The new agreement, which extends the collaboration between both parties, renews Panini America’s exclusive license for WNBA collectibles, including trading cards. In addition, this agreement benefits the players with an increase in revenue generated from the sale of collectibles in the Prizm, Donruss, Select, and National Treasures lines, as well as on Panini Instant and its digital platform. The market for female sports collectibles has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years, driven by WNBA stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers. Panini has exclusive trading card and memorabilia deals with Clark and Reese. Bueckers has an exclusive trading card deal with Panini, but signed an exclusive memorabilia deal with Fanatics in early November.This agreement is exclusively between Panini and the WNBA players association; the league’s agreement with Panini remains in effect and is not affected by this extension. The WNBPA is negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement with the WNBA before the deadline extended to November 30.This renewal focuses on the players and the power we have built together. Panini has been with us as we promote the women’s game, and their products demonstrate the reach and impact of our players in a tangible way.
Nneka Ogwumike, WNBPA President
Although the duration and monetary value of the agreement were not announced, according to a source close to the finances, WNBA trading cards generate “mid-eight-figure sums annually”.
Collaborating with the WNBPA has demonstrated the strength of this market, and we are excited to continue innovating and expanding our product offerings for fans and collectors worldwide.
Mark Warsop, CEO of Panini America
