Title: Upper Deck and NHL Alumni Association Continue Partnership
Subtitle: Upper Deck secures exclusive rights to produce physical and digital hockey trading cards
Meta Description: Upper Deck extends licensing agreement with NHLAA, gaining exclusive rights to produce physical and digital trading cards featuring former NHL players.
Upper Deck, a prominent figure in the trading card industry, has recently announced the extension of its partnership with the NHL Alumni Association (NHLAA) in an exclusive licensing agreement. This renewed commitment cements Upper Deck’s position as the sole licensed producer of physical trading cards featuring over a thousand former NHL athletes and marks an exciting venture into the digital collectibles market.
The President of Upper Deck, Jason Masherah, emphasizes the strategic importance of this partnership. By collaborating with the NHLAA, Upper Deck can offer trading cards and autographs of legendary NHL players, enhancing the collectibles market and providing enthusiasts with a wide array of memorabilia to cherish.
Based in Ontario, the NHL Alumni Association has been actively supporting former NHL players through various programs and initiatives. Their group licensing program, launched in 2017, allows the NHLAA to utilize the image rights of its members for commercial purposes, benefitting the association’s programs and furthering their commitment to hockey’s legacy. With the participation of iconic figures like Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, and Ray Bourque, the NHLAA’s initiatives have gained broad commercial appeal.
Glenn Healy, the Executive Director of the NHL Alumni Association, expresses his excitement about the continued collaboration with Upper Deck, which aims to “Honor the Past.” He highlights the crucial role that Upper Deck trading cards play in preserving the heritage of hockey and allowing fans from different generations to celebrate and appreciate the contributions of NHL Alumni in shaping the game.
In an intriguing development, Upper Deck reveals plans to expand its product line by introducing digital trading cards through its Evolution platform. This innovative addition bridges the gap between traditional collecting and the digital age, providing fans and collectors with a new medium to engage with the history of hockey.
Overall, this extended licensing agreement between Upper Deck and the NHL Alumni Association solidifies Upper Deck’s exclusive rights to produce and distribute physical trading cards of former NHL players while also venturing into the realm of digital collectibles. This exciting partnership promises to enrich the legacy of hockey, catering to the diverse interests of fans and collectors across different generations.
