Upper Deck has suspended it’s Brick & Mortar Distribution program that it implemented earlier this year.

The program restricted distributors from selling to anyone besides retail hobby stores.  I’m guessing it had a negative effect on their bottom line.

Below is their statement:

North Las Vegas, NV: The Upper Deck Company announces today that, effective immediately, the terms of its 2007 Hobby Distribution and Brick & Mortar program will be suspended until further notice. The leading manufacturer of trading cards is committed to the long-term welfare and viability of the hobby market, and is constantly evaluating and looking for ways to help its distributor and retailer partners. While The Upper Deck Company is committed to its current sales program, the short-term health of the Hobby business takes priority at this juncture. As we enter the holiday season, it is important that the Hobby market maximize sales opportunities, end the year strong and prepare for a successful 2008. The Upper Deck Company will revisit its program in the future, and make any and all adjustments that it deems necessary.

On Tuesday, Upper Deck announced that they were withdrawing their offer for The Topps Co.

Upper Deck, which had offered $10.75 per share ($425 million), said in a letter that Topps put up roadblocks to the deal as apart of a “deliberate effort” to discredit Upper Deck publicly and within Topps, defeat its offer and justify management support of a $385 million offer from private equity firm Madison Dearborn Partners LLC and Tornante Co, an investment group led by former Walt Disney chief Michael Eisner.

Collectors everywhere are rejoicing!!!

Donruss is offering one lucky collector the chance to attend the first NFL regular season game in London on October 28. The game will be played between the Miami Dolphins and New York Giants.

The grand prize includes two game tickets, hotel and airfare. Ten runner-ups will receive an autographed mini-helmet from NFL rookies. 20 second place winners will receive a 2007 Score football factory set.

Collectors can enter by sending in an entry card found exclusively in 2007 Score Football at Walmart or a 3 1/2″ x 5″ piece of paper mailed to NFL “Game In London, England” Sweepstake, 2300 E. Randol Mill Rd., Arlington, TX 76011-6333.

Donruss will be distributing a special six card set during the game. The set will include Eli Manning, Steve Smith, Jeremy Shockey, Jason Taylor, Ted Ginn Jr. and Ronnie Brown.

Topps company president Arthur Shorin has issued a letter to shareholders laying out the facts and asking them to vote for the Michael Eisner led Tornante Holdings acquisition for $9.75.

Upper Deck has also been trying to acquire Topps and has offered $10.75 per share but according to the letter: “…in spite of the Board’s best efforts, we have not reached a consensual transaction with Upper Deck to date and the Tornante - MDP transaction for $9.75 per share in cash is the only binding offer received.”

Donruss announced at The National that they will be releasing Donruss Studio Americana in November.

Former WWE diva and Dancin’ with the Stars finalist, Stacy Keibler, was on hand to sign promo cards at the Donruss booth.  Donruss also handed out promo cards of Mickey Rooney, Debbie Reynolds, Cedric the Entertainer and Wayne Newton.  Other names will be released throughout the next few months before the November release.

[tags]Donruss, Donruss Studio Americana[/tags]

Tuff Stuff Magazine and Sports Collector’s Digest have announced that they will be holding daily raffles to give away prizes.  Some of the prizes include autographed photos, sports memorabilia, autographed balls, bats and mini-helmets.

The auction will start on Thursday, July 12th.  Weekly winners will be announced at 4pm daily and the weekend winners will be announced at 4pm on Monday.

[tags]Tuff Stuff, Sports Collector’s Digest, Contest[/tags]

Minnesota Vikings rookie running back Adrian Peterson, who was the 7th selection in the 2007 NFL Draft, has signed an endorsement deal with Donruss/Playoff.

Donruss/Playoff will use Adrian Peterson’s images on packaging throughout the year and will include his autograph in all their football products.

“Adrian Peterson had an outstanding career at Oklahoma and should be one of the most exciting rookies this season,” said Donruss Playoff Marketing Director Scott Prusha. “He is an electrifying performer that will shine on the NFL stage. We are excited to have him aboard and look forward to working with him throughout the year.”

It is not clear if this will prevent Topps and Upper Deck from including autograph and memorabilia cards of Adrian Peterson in their 2007 NFL card products, but there is no mention of it being an exclusive deal.

[tags]Adrian Peterson, Donruss/Playoff[/tags]

The original Sport Kings series was released by Goudey Gum Company in 1933 and 1934 and contain a wide array of sports figures from that era including Johnny Weissmuller, Red Grange and Babe Ruth.  It has been one of the most popular sets in the history of sports cards.

Coming in October, Sport Kings is making a comeback with the release of the 48-card Series A.  Some of the highlights of the set include Magic Johnson, Hulk Hogan, Evel Knievel, Stan Musial and more.

The release will be one of the most limited products ever according to Sport Kings LP.  Each pack will contain seven cards; three base cards in traditional card size, one base card in the original Sport Kings size, one Autograph Card inserts and two additional Autograph or Memorabilia Inserts.

For more information, visit SportKingsGum.com

Preliminary Checklist & Images:

1 Aikman, Troy Football 2 Andretti, Mario Motor Sports 3 Beamon, Bob Track 4 Bird, Larry Basketball 5 Brodeur, Martin Hockey 6 To Be Determined Baseball 7 Clemente, Roberto Baseball 8 Dorsett, Tony Football 9 Ferrigno, Lou Weightlifting 10 Carter, Don Bowling 11 Hamm, Mia Soccer 12 Heiden, Eric Speed Skating 13 Hellmuth, Phil Poker 14 Hogan, Hulk Wrestling 15 Holmes, Larry Boxing 16 Johnson, Magic Basketball 17 Kiraly, Karch Volleyball 18 Knievel, Evel Daredevil 19 Lemieux, Mario Hockey 20 Leonard, Sugar Ray Boxing 21 Louganis, Greg Diving 22 Mansell, Nigel Motor Sports 23 Marciano, Rocky Boxing 24 Mattingly, Don Baseball 25 Musial, Stan Baseball 26 Richard, Maurice Hockey 27 Robinson, Jackie Baseball 28 To Be Determined Baseball 29 Roy, Patrick Hockey 30 Russell, Bill Basketball 31 Ryan, Nolan Baseball 32 To Be Determined Hockey 33 Schmidt, Milt Hockey 34 Seaver, Tom Baseball 35 Secretariat Horse Racing 36 Shoemaker, Willie Horse Racing 37 Spitz, Mark Swimming 38 To Be Determined Football 39 Stewart, Payne Golf 40 To Be Determined Skiing 41 Thomas, Thurman Football 42 Waltrip, Darrell Motor Sports 43 White, Reggie Football 44 Wilkins, Dominique Basketball 45 Williams, Ted Baseball 46 Wooden, John Basketball 47 Yastrzemski, Carl Baseball 48 Young, Steve Football

[tags]Sport Kings, Goudey[/tags]

Topps announed on Wednesday that Upper Deck and Northwood Investors are suing it and other involved in the purchase of Topps by Tornante Co, LLC and Madison Dearborn partners.

Topps had agreed to be acquired for $9.75 per share in March and in May Upper Deck made an unsolicited offer of $10.75 per share.

Upper Deck alledges that Topps breached a confidentiality agreement that they had signed and fraudulently induced Upper Deck into entering into an agreement.

[tags]Upper Deck, Topps[/tags]

Upper Deck has announced their new Certified Diamond Dealer program for brick -and-mortar hobby shops.

The program is designed to give dealer more detailed information about upcoming sports card releases three to four months before the product is available in a hobby shop.

Each store will receive a monthly  marketing and sales support kit that will include everything from product brochures to updated release information to exclusive wrapper redemption sets to branded posters and other signage.

Recently Upper Deck instituted new purchasing guidelines for its products which ensures that only brick-and-mortar hobby shops are able to purchase new Upper Deck and Fleer products directly from Upper Deck and authorized distributors.

[tags]Upper Deck, Certified Diamond Dealer[/tags]

Future 1st or 2nd pick in the 2007 NBA Draft Greg Oden has signed a $3 million contract with Topps to become a spokesman for the trading card company.  Topps will have exclusive rights to Oden’s image on advertising and product packaging.  They will also have exclusive rights to produce autographed and memorabilia cards.

His first card will be a dual card along NBA legend Bill Russell that celebrates Topps’ 50th anniversary of basketball trading cards.

Kevin Durant, the other probable 1st or 2nd pick in the draft, signed an exclusive contract with Upper Deck earlier this month.

[tags]Kevin Durant, Greg Oden, Topps[/tags]

NBA Rookie-To-Be Kevin Durant of the University of Texas has signed his first professional contract and it is not with an NBA team.

Durant has signed an exclusive deal with Upper Deck to appear in the trading card manufacturers packaging and marketing materials.   He will also have an exclusive line of Upper Deck Authenticated autographed items.

His first rookie card will appear in Fleer Ultra SE and Upper Deck First Edition Basketball.  His first autographed card will be in Upper Deck SP Game Used Basketball.

Durant will most likely be the first or second pick behind Greg Oden in the upcoming 2007 NBA Draft.

“I’m very excited to be taking two giant leaps in my career by joining the NBA and at the same time, signing a contract with another winning team, The Upper Deck Company,” said versatile swingman Kevin Durant. “I’m honored to be in the company of some of the world’s most skilled athletes who also represent Upper Deck’s products.”

[tags]Kevin Durant, Upper Deck[/tags]