logo
ISA Grading Advertisement

Panini vs. Fanatics Legal Battle Moves Forward After Judge’s Ruling

* We may earn a commission from purchases made through our affiliate links.

fanatics.png

The high-stakes lawsuit between Panini and Fanatics isn’t ending anytime soon. After Fanatics secured exclusive NFL and NBA trading card licenses, Panini filed an anti-trust lawsuit in 2023, arguing that Fanatics was unfairly monopolizing the market. In response, Fanatics countersued, claiming Panini interfered with its business dealings. Now, a federal judge has ruled that both cases can proceed, ensuring this legal fight is far from over.

Judge Rules Both Sides Have Valid Arguments—With Some Exceptions

On Monday, Judge Laura Swain of the Southern District of New York issued a ruling that keeps both lawsuits alive, though not without modifications.

  • Panini’s Anti-Trust Allegations – The judge didn’t buy Fanatics’ attempt to dismiss the claims entirely. She found that Panini presented enough evidence to suggest that Fanatics wields monopoly power, with its control over the market allowing it to set prices and push out competitors.
  • Panini’s Damages Claim Gets Rejected – However, Swain threw out part of Panini’s lawsuit, arguing that Panini wasn’t actually harmed by Fanatics’ actions—pointing out that as one of the two dominant companies left in the industry, Panini may have actually benefited from the current market setup.
  • Fanatics’ Unfair Competition Claims Fall Flat – The judge didn’t find Fanatics’ argument convincing that Panini engaged in unfair competition. Instead, she ruled that Panini simply disrupted Fanatics’ plans—but not in a way that violated competition laws.
  • Fanatics’ Employee Poaching Allegations Stand – However, Swain did side with Fanatics in allowing their claim that Panini tried to block employees from leaving for Fanatics by threatening legal consequences.

Next Steps: A Long Legal Battle Ahead

Now that both lawsuits are moving forward, the next phase—discovery—will involve:

  • Sworn testimony from Panini and Fanatics executives
  • Internal company documents being reviewed for evidence
  • Depositions of key witnesses
This means that a resolution won’t come anytime soon. These types of cases can take months or even years to play out.

What This Means for Card Collectors

So far, the average collector hasn’t felt much of an impact beyond Topps (owned by Fanatics) producing NBA and NFL cards again. But depending on how this lawsuit unfolds, the trading card landscape could change dramatically.

  • If Panini wins the anti-trust suit, could new companies enter the market and create more competition?
  • If Fanatics proves Panini interfered with its business, will Panini take a financial hit that weakens its position?
  • Will collectors end up with more choices—or will Fanatics tighten its grip even further?
Right now, the fight for control of the trading card industry is just heating up. Collectors and investors alike will be watching closely to see how this courtroom battle reshapes the future of the hobby.

Share:

PWCC Auction Advertisement

0 Comments

Related

Sports Card News

2025 Sports Card Release Dates: Your Go-To Guide for Upcoming Drops


  • bionic Avatar
  • by bionic
  • July 20, 2025, 2:59 pm

2025 Sports Card Release Dates: Your Go-To Guide for Upcoming Drops


Trying to keep track of all the new sports card releases hitting shelves in 2025? From baseball to basketball, football to hockey, and even racing, soccer, and wrestling cards — we’ve got all the key dates and details lined up for you. Whether you...

Read More

2025 Topps Chrome Sapphire UFC: A New Era of Crystal-Clear Collecting


  • bionic Avatar
  • by bionic
  • July 22, 2025, 2:54 pm

2025 Topps Chrome Sapphire UFC: A New Era of Crystal-Clear Collecting


For the first time ever, Topps is bringing the popular crystal chromium finish to the world of UFC with the 2025 Topps Chrome Sapphire UFC set. This release shines a bright spotlight on the sport’s elite fighters with a sleek, premium look that collec...

Read More

2024-25 Topps Finest Basketball: Back and Better Than Ever


  • bionic Avatar
  • by bionic
  • July 22, 2025, 2:49 pm

2024-25 Topps Finest Basketball: Back and Better Than Ever


The legendary Topps Finest Basketball brand has returned for its second year after a long break, bringing back the beloved tiered base set style that made it famous in the late ’90s. This release strikes a perfect balance between classic vibes and tod...

Read More