Panini America’s Election-Night Coverage of 2012-13 Contenders Basketball (Preview)

Hey, let’s be honest: We all can use at least a little break from tonight’s wall-to-wall, budget-busting coverage of the 2012 presidential election that’s likely dominating any television you’re watching. To that end, we thought right now provided us the perfect opportunity to separate the pretenders from the contenders (or at least shed a little light on an all-new Contenders).

For the first time since 2009-10 (Panini America’s first season as the exclusive manufacturer of NBA trading cards), hoops collectors will have a Contenders-branded basketball release to call their own. After missing the 2011-12 season and temporarily morphing into Contenders Patches for 2010-11, Contenders Basketball is making a huge comeback for 2012-13.

Due out in early January, just a few weeks prior to Barack Obama or Mitt Romney taking office, 2012-13 Contenders Basketball will deliver four autographs in every 20-pack box, with at least three of those autographs being Rookie Cards. The 200-card base set features 100 rookie autographs, three parallels (Silver, Gold and Black), three unique autograph inserts and one 100-card memorabilia insert.

In addition, the product also includes a pair of base insert sets with extremely long odds in Hall of Fame Contenders (one in 20 cases) and Throwback Rookie Tickets (one in 13 cases).

2012-13 Contenders’ myriad other highlights include . . .

  • Contemporary Contenders honors the game’s most electric players who promise to contend for the championship every year.
  • Substantial Signatures is Contenders’ answer to the wildly popular Preferred Silhouettes and includes huge jersey-patch swatches and autographs.
  • Historic Contenders Autographs pays tribute to the some of the game’s greatest all-time legends.
  • Contenders Materials includes oversized memorabilia swatches from your favorite NBA stars with a short-printed Prime chase version.

Now, we know you need to get back to election coverage. But before you go, check out the following preview gallery and stay tuned to The Knight’s Lance for additional information on 2012-13 Contenders Basketball.

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21 Replies to “Panini America’s Election-Night Coverage of 2012-13 Contenders Basketball (Preview)”

  1. Go Obama!
    I have to put in on there!
    Anyway, thank you panini for returning this back to the market.
    We all the collectors love this box, now with double rookie class it just adds more to its value.
    Looking on those preview, love that Kobe Bryant awesome game used jersey patch auto.
    By the time we will open contenders box it will coincide with the 2nd term presidential inauguration !
    Peace!

  2. Beautiful cards!!!! Panini basketball products continue to improve every year and increase in quality as well. It is amazing to see how much Panini has grown. Thanks for the preview Tracey 🙂

  3. Is Mitt even a real name?
    Who cares? Lets just focus on cards!! Love the look of the HOF contenders! And the rarity! Are the ‘silver gold and black parallels’ applicable to the Rookie Autos as well? Or just the base cards?
    Thanks again Panini!

  4. What the heck is that behind Kirie Irving? Looks like a ball of yarn exploded. Can’t say as I care for that at all. And same with Kobe? Looks like smoke coming out of his jersey? What is with this stuff? Ok so it’s not for me..1 out of 20 is pretty good

  5. pretty cool looking cards, love the nice amount of room for players signatures. The historic signatures have a great classic look to them. The color explosions look great on a white background!

  6. Gotta love Contenders. How come football is the only sport that doesn’t get patches included in the product?

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  8. Superb stuff Panini! Tracy do you know if contenders is coming to retail? I was just wondering to see if the same odds applied like in hobby as you mentioned already. Thanks again-

  9. Heyyyy! This one looks good, nice patches, super tough chase inserts, and an overall nice design. See Tracy, I don’t hate Panini, I just love basketball cards.

  10. I’ve been waiting so long for Contenders to come back! I really love the quality of these cards and the overall design. Keep up the good work!

  11. I love that Panini basketball is in full gear again after the hold up last year! And i have to say Panini has deff made it worth the wait! Theres so much i cant even keep up this year Lol, I love it!!! Oh yeah Tracy have u already announced the winner of the ” guess the Autograph” contest yet???

  12. The patches on these card look epic o.o
    And I love how Panini is giving more autograph chances to get that key player’s signature that you really want!

  13. A very cool product, I love Contenders. I know that some people may not like the swirling colored mist behind the players but I think it is bad-ass, it sets off a nice contrast against the white background.

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