Panini America CEO Addresses Jersey-Card Labeling Errors in 2014 Flawless Football

Panini America CEO Mark Warsop on Tuesday addressed an error within 2014 Flawless Football that led to cards featuring pieces of event-worn jerseys being mistakenly labeled as "game-worn." The error, an oversight that affected cards of Russell Wilson, Colin Kaepernick and Alshon Jeffery, was brought to Panini America's attention on Monday.

Panini America CEO Mark Warsop on Tuesday addressed an error within 2014 Flawless Football that led to cards featuring pieces of event-worn jerseys being mistakenly labeled as “game-worn.” The error, an oversight that affected cards of Russell Wilson, Colin Kaepernick and Alshon Jeffery, was brought to Panini America’s attention on Monday.

The error only impacted the 168 patch cards (56 of each player) in the Patches (numbered to 25), Patches Ruby (numbered to 15), Patches Gold (numbered to 10), Patches Emerald (numbered to five) and Patches Platinum (numbered to one) inserts.

By comparison, all autographed versions of those three players’ cards include actual game-worn memorabilia.

“There is nothing we take more seriously here at Panini America than the ironclad authenticity of our products — and the memorabilia and autographs we use to make them,” said Panini America CEO Mark Warsop. “While this is a truly regrettable mistake, that’s all it is. There was no intent to deceive or to portray those pieces of memorabilia as anything other than what they are: Event-worn by those players.

“The error in this case occurred in the labeling of those cards, not in producing them. We pride ourselves in being true to our consumers and in standing by every product we make. We absolutely will do that in this regard.”

Collectors possessing any of the affected cards can exchange them for cards of equal or greater value by contacting the Panini America Customer Service Department via email at [email protected].

On Tuesday morning, Panini America officials from all departments met to reevaluate processes and procedures and to identify measures that will prevent these types of mistakes from occurring in the future.

“We apologize to all of our collectors for this mistake — it hurts all of us — and we vow to do everything in our power to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” Warsop said.

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0 Replies to “Panini America CEO Addresses Jersey-Card Labeling Errors in 2014 Flawless Football”

  1. Thanks for addressing the error, with the irony of “errors” of such magnitude in a product… called… F-L-A-W-L-E-S-S

    1. Mistakes of this magnitude should under no circumstances ever happen in Panini’s highest end product. I’m sorry, but this is unacceptable.

  2. I have sold over 86 cases and none of my clients have complained nor are they worried about a mistake that could happen in any industry. The product is the best football release ever and all high end collectors are on board. Accountability is the key and Panini got in front of this one early which makes all the difference in the world.

    1. Panini did indeed NOT get in front of this early. They got in front of it when a message board thread blew up with people realizing the product has several mistakes and eventually got big enough where Panini couldn’t ignore it.

      Not to mention, this site is moderated, so I’m sure the questions that are being asked that are the important ones aren’t even being posted.

      For instance, in a product this expensive and hyped, why are they even using event worn stuff for veteran players?

  3. While there are a vocal few on the blogs who are claiming wrongdoing by Panini America, anyone with at least average intelligence knows this was a mistake and nothing else. Every product ever produced has something wrong (damaged cards, missing hits, and misidentified cards). Understandably, in a $1199 box with 10 cards, the customer has the right to expect a nearly perfect product. Mr. Warsop has vowed to do everything in his power to make sure misidentified cards don’t happen again. Having met and spoken with Mr. Warsop on several occasions, I have no doubt that Mr. Warsop will come through with his promise.

    Panini America has apologized for their mistake and promises to replace these misidentified cards with other cards of greater or equal value. No one can rationally expect more. I have already heard customers say they will buy these misidentified cards on eBay to see what Panini will replace them with. Panini’s record for outstanding customer service, has made people willing to bet that Panini will do good for those who own these cards.

    Having been a collector for 57 years and sports card retailer for nearly 30 years, I believe no other manufacturer has done more for its customers than Panini America. I have a degree in Engineering and I have worked many years as a management analyst. I enjoy analyzing product cost and worth. Based on 2014 Flawless Football completed sales on eBay, Flawless Football gives customers more for their money than any other product. Flawless may not quite be perfect, but it is the very best football product to date.

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