Title: Upper Deck Extends Exclusive Partnership with NHL Alumni Association
Subtitle: Renowned trading card company solidifies role as producer of physical and digital hockey collectibles.
Meta Description: Upper Deck renews agreement with NHLAA, further establishing their position as the primary producer of physical trading cards and introducing digital collectibles.
Upper Deck, a prominent name in the trading card industry, has recently renewed its exclusive licensing partnership with the NHL Alumni Association (NHLAA). This agreement ensures that Upper Deck remains the sole licensed producer of physical trading cards featuring over a thousand former NHL athletes, further cementing their commitment to hockey history and memorabilia.
The renewal of this partnership is a strategic move for Upper Deck, as highlighted by Jason Masherah, the President of the company. Masherah acknowledges the crucial role played by the NHLAA in enhancing Upper Deck’s offerings. Through this partnership, Upper Deck can feature trading cards and autographs of many of hockey’s greatest players, enriching the collectibles market for enthusiasts.
Based in Ontario, the NHL Alumni Association actively supports former NHL players. Their group licensing program, launched in 2017, allows the NHLAA to utilize the collective image rights of its members for commercial purposes. The program benefits various programs and initiatives of the NHLAA, and includes the participation of renowned hockey legends such as Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, and Patrick Roy, among others.
Upper Deck is one of several enterprises engaging in business with the NHLAA, highlighting the association’s broad commercial appeal. Beyond trading cards, the NHLAA also supports its members through player appearances, professional-amateur tournaments, career transition programs, and an annual stick auction. These initiatives aim to celebrate the sport and its rich legacy.
Glenn Healy, the Executive Director of the NHL Alumni Association, expressed his enthusiasm about continuing the collaboration with Upper Deck. Healy emphasized the significant role that Upper Deck trading cards have played in capturing and preserving the heritage of hockey. The renewed agreement promises to allow fans and collectors from different generations to cherish and celebrate the revered NHL Alumni who have shaped the game.
In an exciting development, Upper Deck announced plans to expand its product line to include digital trading cards. These digital collectibles will be available through the company’s Evolution platform, marking a significant step towards blending traditional collecting with the digital age. This addition offers a new medium for fans and collectors to connect with the history of hockey in a unique way.
In conclusion, the 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. Additionally, the introduction of digital collectibles further enriches the legacy of hockey, providing a new era of fans and collectors with innovative ways to engage with the sport’s history.