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Behind the Cards

Panini v Fanatics: Court Battle Heats Up

A recent U.S. District Court ruling has allowed Panini’s antitrust claims against Fanatics to proceed, alleging monopolistic practices in the trading card market.

In this context, antitrust refers to laws and regulations designed to promote fair competition in the marketplace by preventing monopolistic practices and anti-competitive behaviour. Panini's lawsuit against Fanatics alleges that Fanatics violated these laws by monopolising the trading card market through exclusive long-term licensing agreements with major sports leagues and associations, as well as acquiring competitors like Topps. The goal of antitrust action is to ensure that no single company unfairly dominates the market, preserving competition for the benefit of consumers, collectors, and businesses alike. These deals, which include 10-year agreements with the NBA and NBPA and 20-year deals with the NFL, NFLPA, and MLBPA, are set to begin in 2026 and could solidify Fanatics’ control over the trading card industry.

Fanatics has downplayed the significance of the ruling, characterising it as a procedural decision rather than a judgment on the merits of Panini’s claims.

For collectors, this legal battle could shape the future of the hobby.

Product Watch

Popular Products: Global Price Trends and Changes

Featured on Graph Above (average price per hobby box):

• Topps Chrome UEFA Club Competitions 2023/24 — £140 (-5%)

• Topps Merlin Chrome UEFA Club Competitions 2023/24 — £153 (+13%)

• Topps Stadium Club Chrome UEFA Champions League 2023/24 — £161 (+17%)

• Topps Chrome UEFA Euro 2024 — £138 (+10%)

• Topps UEFA Club Competitions 2024/25 — £111 (+53%)

• Panini Soccer Donruss 2024/25 — £195 (-5%)

  (figures in brackets indicate last sale change %)

Featured on Graph Above (average price per hobby case):

• Topps Chrome UEFA Club Competitions 2023/24 — £1.59k (0%)

• Topps Merlin Chrome UEFA Club Competitions 2023/24 — No 30-day data available

• Topps Stadium Club Chrome UEFA Champions League 2023/24 — £1.60k (+4%)

• Topps Chrome UEFA Euro 2024 — No 30-day data available

• Topps UEFA Club Competitions 2024/25 — £962 (-6%)

• Panini Soccer Donruss 2024/25 — £2.21k (-7%)

  (figures in brackets indicate last sale change %)

Monthly Volume

Panini Prizm Premier League 2024/25 — Delayed!

The eagerly anticipated release of Panini Prizm Premier League 2024/25 has been delayed from its initially speculated release date of February 21, 2025, to late March 2025.

Whilst the original release date was never officially confirmed by Panini, the product is now expected to arrive in late March, with some sources suggesting March 28th. Last year’s Panini Prizm Premier League set was released in mid-February, and although Panini has not provided an official explanation for this year’s hold-up, speculation points to production or distribution challenges. Despite this postponement, excitement remains for what is shaping up to be one of the year’s most popular football card releases, and the set will contain a 300-card base checklist, featuring all 20 Premier League teams. The set will also incorporate insert chasers such as Manga, Prizmania, and Color Blast, and sources suggest that David Beckham, Cole Palmer, and Pep Guardiola will be amongst the big name autographs included in the product.

Each hobby box will contain 12 packs of 12 cards, and promises to deliver, on average, one autograph, five numbered prizms, and twelve additional prizms.

The hobby box is expected to retail for £250, matching last year’s price on the Panini website, however, pre-release listings on secondary markets already price it at around £275.

Card Watch

Erling Haaland: Uncovering the Dual Rookie

Erling Haaland, now 24, is a global football phenomenon, and his early cards are highly sought after by collectors.

Following my analysis of Yamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland was the natural next focus for my Card Watch section, bridging the age gap between these aforementioned football superstars. One of the most intriguing sets featuring Haaland is the 2019/20 Topps Finest UEFA Champions League, which uniquely includes cards of him playing for both FC Red Bull Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund. Haaland scored eight goals for Salzburg in the 2019/20 Champions League group stage before joining Dortmund in December 2019, where he added two more in a 2–1 win over Paris Saint-Germain, taking his tally to 10 goals in 8 matches.

The 2019/20 Topps Finest UEFA Champions League set therefore uniquely captures this compelling narrative, containing both Haaland’s Salzburg #91 rookie card and a highly sought-after short print, the #116 Erling Haaland Borussia Dortmund card, further enhancing its appeal to collectors.

Below, I’ve used Card Ladder data to showcase a range of options that highlight the potential value available to collectors across all budgets.

PS: If you decide to sign up for Card Ladder using my affiliate link, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps me continue to provide valuable content through ND Soccer Capital. Thank you!

The 2019/20 Topps Finest UEFA Champions League set offers a wealth of numbered Haaland refractors across base, insert, and short print variants, inviting collectors to dive deeper into a fascinating world of possibilities.

All data courtesy of Card Ladder—Why not discover how Card Ladder can enhance your card collecting experience?

You’ve Pulled!

A celebration of recent big card pulls!

Congratulations to @tffbreaks & @sundayleagueinvestors for hitting these awesome cards!

If anyone pulls anything big please feel free to hit me up on Instagram! @ndsoccercapital

As I conclude the third issue of ND Soccer Capital, I hope you found the insights into Erling Haaland’s market value informative and engaging. Stay tuned for future updates on emerging trends and the most valuable cards to watch in the dynamic world of football collecting.

• Explore More: Dive deeper into the world of football cards in my upcoming issues — Who Am I?

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Disclaimer: ND Soccer Capital provides information and opinions about sports card investing for educational purposes only. We are not financial advisors, and our content should not be considered investment advice. Investing in sports cards carries substantial risk of loss and may not be suitable for everyone. The value of cards can fluctuate significantly based on various factors, including player performance, market trends, and condition. Any investment decisions you make are solely your responsibility. ND Soccer Capital, its owners, employees, and affiliates shall not be held liable for any losses, damages, or legal issues arising from your investment choices. Always conduct your own research and consider seeking advice from a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.