Uncategorized

Upper Deck and NHL Alumni Association Extend Exclusive Licensing Partnership

Upper Deck, a prominent figure in the trading card industry, has recently announced the renewal of its exclusive licensing partnership with the NHL Alumni Association (NHLAA). This move solidifies Upper Deck’s position as the sole authorized producer of physical trading cards featuring over a thousand former NHL athletes.

The decision to extend the partnership is seen as a strategic move by Upper Deck. Jason Masherah, President of the company, emphasizes the crucial role that the NHL Alumni Association plays in enriching Upper Deck’s offerings. Through this collaboration, Upper Deck is able to feature trading cards and autographs of hockey’s greatest players, enhancing the collectibles market for enthusiasts.

Based in Ontario, the NHL Alumni Association actively supports former NHL players and their various initiatives. The group licensing program, launched in 2017, allows the NHLAA to utilize the collective image rights of its members for commercial purposes, benefiting their programs and initiatives. This program boasts the participation of numerous hockey legends, including Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Ray Bourque, Patrick Roy, Steve Yzerman, Jean Beliveau, Mats Sundin, Teemu Selanne, and Johnny Bower, along with almost a hundred Hall of Fame inductees.

Upper Deck is one of several companies that engage in business with the NHLAA, highlighting the broad commercial appeal of the association. In addition to trading cards, the NHLAA’s initiatives encompass player appearances, professional-amateur tournaments, career transition programs, an annual stick auction, and other activities aimed at celebrating the sport and its legacy.

Glenn Healy, Executive Director of the NHL Alumni Association, expresses his enthusiasm for continuing the collaboration with Upper Deck. This partnership is dedicated to “Honoring the Past” and recognizes the significant role that Upper Deck trading cards have played in capturing and preserving the heritage of hockey. The renewed agreement promises to allow fans and collectors of different generations to cherish and celebrate the esteemed NHL Alumni who have shaped the game.

Excitingly, Upper Deck reveals plans to expand its product line by introducing digital trading cards, which will be available through its Evolution platform. This move represents a significant step towards blending traditional collecting with the digital age, providing fans and collectors with a new medium to connect with the history of hockey.

In summary, the extended licensing agreement between Upper Deck and the NHL Alumni Association solidifies Upper Deck’s exclusive rights to produce and distribute physical trading cards featuring former NHL players. Additionally, the introduction of digital collectibles marks an exciting entry into the realm of modern technology, enriching the legacy of hockey for a new era of fans and collectors.

Source

Related Posts

Legendary T206 Wagner Card Steals the Spotlight at Mile High Auction

The only constant in the world of high-stakes sports memorabilia is its ability to surprise and amaze, much like the legendary tales woven into the fabric of America’s…

Batting for Nostalgia: 2025 Donruss Baseball Hits a Home Run

Baseball cards, those crisp pieces of collectible cardboard, have always been more than just photos of athletes frozen in time; they’re gateways to memories, encapsulations of eras, and…

A Dream Pull: The Story Behind Cooper Flagg’s 1/1 Superfractor

In the feverish world of card collecting, sometimes the most sought-after treasures emerge not from the glittering halls of international conventions but from the cozy, intimate surroundings of…

2025 Bowman Baseball: The Ultimate Guide for Card Collectors

Each spring, like clockwork, anticipation buzzes among collectors and baseball enthusiasts awaiting the release of Bowman Baseball. As the blossoms of 2025 begin to sprout, the new edition…

First Look at 2025 Bowman Baseball: A Collector’s Guide

Every spring, collectors around the world swap anticipation and predictions like seasoned stock traders, but instead of market shares, they’re dealing in the future fortunes of baseball prospects….

LeBron James Immortalized as the First Athlete Ken Doll

Step aside, standard Ken dolls, there’s a new athlete in town. In a surprising rendezvous of sporty charisma and toy universe bravado, Mattel is making waves by introducing…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *