With Fanatics acquiring the rights to produce trading cards in all three major professional sports, rival card manufacturer Panini has sued the company, alleging antitrust violations.
Fanatics, meanwhile, has filed a countersuit in U.S. District Court, calling Panini’s claims “baseless” and “incoherent” and revealing the company’s attempt to “strong-arm” Fanatics into paying an “early termination” fee.
Panini owns the exclusive rights to produce NBA basketball cards through September 2025 and NFL cards through 2026. It alleges in its federal lawsuit