Fanatics sued and countersues Panini over collectible cards

[LadyStanley]

Fanatics countersues Panini over antitrust claims

The trading card company filed the antitrust lawsuit against the digital retail giant last week.

theathletic.com

Panini sued Fanantics after their purchase of Topps claiming monopoly and them signing players to exclusive deals when they hold licensing with respective unions. Panini claims they had no opportunity to bid on contracts with leagues/union and only found out about deals from media.

And now...

Fanatics responded Monday in the Southern District Court of New York, saying it is seeking damages and “other appropriate relief” to “remedy Panini’s unfair competition, tortious interference with business relations, and breach of duty to negotiate in good faith.” The company alleged that Panini has been “openly trying to sell its business for a decade” so “licensors unsurprisingly chose Fanatics Collectibles as their new licensee that would commit long-term to the business.”

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[LadyStanley]

NFLPA moves up trading card deal with Fanatics in another blow to Panini

Fanatics is new to the trading card business, but has exclusive deals to produce cards for the NFL, NBA and MLB while locking out traditional producer Panini.

sports.yahoo.com

And kills active deal with Panini to switch immediately to Fanatics.