Panini, the renowned sports trading card company, has taken a leap into the world of golf by striking an exclusive partnership with LIV Golf. This groundbreaking deal, announced recently, marks Panini’s foray into creating and distributing trading cards featuring LIV Golf’s roster of players, a first for the company in the golf sphere.
While Panini has a history of producing golf cards through the Donruss brand since the early ’80s, this collaboration with LIV Golf represents a fresh start following Panini’s acquisition of Donruss. The partnership aims to introduce a brand-new line of golf trading card products tailored to excite fans and collectors around the globe. Panini’s offerings will include physical trading cards featuring match-worn memorabilia and player autographs, with the first LIV Golf cards debuting under the prestigious Prizm and Impeccable brands. Additionally, Panini will unveil a real-time card program called Panini Instant, capturing memorable moments and highlights from tournaments and seasons, along with LIV Golf Team sets.
LIV Golf, established in 2022 with backing from Saudi Arabia and 54 players committed for 2024, boasts a tour with a unique structure. Majority of its 14 stops are located outside the U.S., and the 54-hole tournaments introduce a team element to the competition. Panini has already kicked off marketing for the 2024 LIV team sets on its platform, showcasing the swift progress of this collaboration.
Greg Norman, the Commissioner and CEO of LIV Golf, expressed enthusiasm for partnering with Panini, emphasizing the opportunity to introduce innovative products to a diverse global audience of fans and collectors. The collaboration is set to elevate the visibility of LIV Golf players and teams in the collectibles realm, a sentiment shared by Majesticks GC co-captain Ian Poulter, who eagerly anticipates joining forces with a leading trading card brand.
Panini America CEO Mark Warsop highlighted LIV Golf’s innovative format as a crucial element in cementing this partnership. Warsop believes that the team and league structure of LIV Golf present fresh collectability aspects for fans, aligning well with Panini’s brand ethos. He envisions that LIV Golf’s appeal to younger audiences and its roster of elite players will seamlessly integrate with Panini’s offerings, paving the way for a successful collaboration and fostering a dedicated fan base.
As Panini sets the stage for the launch of this exciting golf trading card line, LIV Golf boasts a star-studded lineup that includes major championship winners and golfing legends. This partnership unfolds at a time when Upper Deck is gearing up to unveil its latest golf set featuring PGA Tour stars, indicating a rising interest in golf memorabilia and trading cards among enthusiasts.
