Title: Upper Deck and NHL Alumni Association Renew Exclusive Licensing Partnership
Subtitle: Upper Deck extends its partnership as the sole producer of NHL Alumni trading cards and ventures into digital collectibles.
Meta Description: Upper Deck renews its agreement with the NHL Alumni Association, securing exclusive rights to produce physical trading cards and introducing digital collectibles to honor hockey’s legacy.
Upper Deck, a prominent name in the trading card industry, has recently reaffirmed its commitment to preserving hockey history and memorabilia. The company has extended its licensing arrangement with the NHL Alumni Association (NHLAA), solidifying its position as the sole licensed producer of physical trading cards featuring over a thousand former NHL athletes.
This renewal of the partnership is a strategic move for Upper Deck, as stated by Jason Masherah, President of the company. He recognizes the crucial role played by the NHLAA in enhancing Upper Deck’s offerings, enabling them to feature trading cards and autographs of many of hockey’s greatest players. This collaboration aims to enrich the collectibles market for enthusiasts and fans alike.
The NHL Alumni Association, based in Ontario, has been actively supporting former NHL players through various programs and initiatives. One of its significant developments has been the group licensing program, launched in June 2017. This program allows the NHLAA to utilize the collective image rights of its members for commercial purposes, which benefits the association’s programs. It includes participation from hockey legends such as Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Ray Bourque, Patrick Roy, Steve Yzerman, Jean Beliveau, Mats Sundin, Teemu Selanne, Johnny Bower, and many other Hall of Fame inductees.
Upper Deck is not the only enterprise engaging in business with the NHLAA, reflecting the broad commercial appeal of the association. Apart from trading cards, the NHLAA supports its members through player appearances, professional-amateur tournaments, career transition programs, an annual stick auction, and various other activities aimed at celebrating the sport and its legacy.
Glenn Healy, the Executive Director of the NHL Alumni Association, expressed his enthusiasm about continuing the collaboration with Upper Deck, emphasizing the significant role that Upper Deck’s trading cards have played in capturing and preserving the heritage of hockey. This renewed agreement promises to allow fans and collectors from different generations to cherish and celebrate the revered NHL Alumni who have shaped the game.
Furthermore, in an exciting development, Upper Deck announced plans to expand its product line to include digital trading cards, which will be available through its Evolution platform. This addition marks a significant step toward blending traditional collecting with the digital age, offering a new medium for fans and collectors to connect with the history of hockey.
In conclusion, the extended licensing agreement between Upper Deck and the NHL Alumni Association not only solidifies Upper Deck’s exclusive rights to produce and distribute physical trading cards of former NHL players but also marks the company’s foray into the realm of digital collectibles. This partnership aims to enrich the legacy of hockey for a new era of fans and collectors, catering to both the traditional collectors and those embracing the digital age.