Panini America, Kia Partner for Special Pack Giveaway at the 2012 NBA All-Star Game
Before the 18,000 or so fans who enter Orlando's Amway Center tomorrow night watch the 2012 NBA All-Star Game, they will get up close and personal with some of the game's top players thanks to special packs of 2011-12 NBA Hoops cards that they receive on their way in. The four-card packs, given out free through a unique partnership between…
Win a Box of 2011-12 NBA Hoops in Panini America’s 2012 NBA All-Star Game Contest
In honor of tomorrow's 2012 NBA All-Star Game in Orlando, Panini America is giving away three boxes of the highly anticipated 2011-12 NBA Hoops Basketball, which releases to the masses next week. All you have to do to be eligible to win is predict the combined All-Star Game point total of Kobe Bryant, Blake Griffin and Kevin Durant, Panini America's…
Parting Shots: Panini America’s Preferred NBA Autograph Tour Comes to a Close
For most of the last month, Panini America NBA acquisitions maven Ivory Tabb has been on the road in one NBA city or another tracking down as many on-card autographs as possible for the upcoming 2011 Preferred Basketball. Along the way, the road-weary Tabb has regaled us with entertaining behind-the-scenes insight from some of the top stars in the game.…
New Autos for National Treasures Football, Elite Hockey Spark Panini America Mail Day
The influx of on-card autographs hitting Panini America headquarters these days is staggering not just in terms of volume but especially in terms of sheer, unadulterated collecting beauty. And for proof, I present the following assortment of images featuring new arrivals from just the last few days alone. What you're about to see -- including key inclusions from the upcoming…
February Marks 20th Anniversary of Central Texas Hobby Shop “Card Traders of Austin”
Not long after Walt Case retired from IBM in the late 1980s, he returned to the childhood closet of his Texas home to find that the treasure trove of sports cards he'd amassed in his youth had appreciated quite nicely. And just like that, the next chapter in Case's life -- and a proud chapter in the history of card…
A Memo to Readers of “The Knight’s Lance:” Your 2011-12 NBA Hoops Insert Set is Ready
It started way back in April, almost 10 months ago, with a simple post: "Collectors' Choice: You Make the Call for a Special Insert in 2011-12 Hoops Basketball." It was a post spurred by Panini America NBA Brand Manager David Porter, who asked whether or not readers of "The Knight's Lance" might be interested in selecting an insert set for the…
“Linsanity” Effect Brings 2010-11 Prestige Basketball Printing Error Back to Light
The sudden onset of Linsanity has sent fans and collectors all over the globe scurrying back to last season's NBA-licensed products from Panini America looking for Jeremy Lin gems that as recently as last month were little more than hobby afterthoughts. And that international hunt has brought back to the surface a printing error that occurred in 2010-11 Prestige Basketball,…
The Panini America QC Gallery: 2011 Playoff Contenders Baseball (40 Must-See Images)
Most passionate baseball fans would have a difficult time determining exactly which of the following developments is more exciting: Pitchers and catchers from around the majors reporting to spring training or the release of 2011 Playoff Contenders Baseball. The former happened over the weekend. The latter arrives later this week. Both, however, are sure to be met with open arms…
Video & Gallery: Panini America Production Line Confidential with 2011-12 NBA Hoops
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpgZeswIuYk&w=590&h=330] Last Friday we tipped the weekend off right with a smashing sneak peek at 2011-12 NBA Hoops Basketball and promised an expanded examination of the first NBA card set since last September's release of 2010-11 Elite Black Box. Today we make good on that promise. Above you'll find a splendid and revealing video shot Friday at the Panini…
Panini Peek: 2011-12 Titanium Hockey
Through an informal Facebook and Twitter poll Saturday night, we asked Panini America fans what they would rather see today: A behind-the-scenes video and additional images from 2011-12 NBA Hoops packout or a sneak peek of the upcoming 2011-12 Panini Titanium Hockey. Although voting was close as hoops and hockey fans weighed in feverishly, it appears that additional NBA Hoops…