News

The legal battle between Panini and Fanatics is far from over. After Fanatics secured exclusive licensing rights for NBA and NFL trading cards, Panini filed an anti-trust lawsuit in 2023, claiming unfair business practices. Fanatics fired back with a countersuit, accusing Panini of illegally interfering with its business relationships. Now, a judge has ruled that both cases can move forward—setting the stage for a long and complicated fight.

Judge Partially Sides with Both Companies

In a ruling late Monday, Judge Laura Swain of the Southern District of New York determined that both lawsuits have merit—but not without some adjustments.

• Panini’s Anti-Trust Claims: Swain rejected Fanatics’ argument that Panini had no legal standing. She ruled that Panini provided enough evidence to suggest that Fanatics holds monopoly power due to its ability to set prices and exclude competition.
• Panini’s Damages Claim: However, Swain also dismissed part of Panini’s claims, noting that as one of the two biggest players in the industry, Panini may have actually benefited from market concentration rather than being harmed by it.
• Fanatics’ Countersuit: Swain also dismissed Fanatics’ claim that Panini engaged in unfair competition, ruling that Panini simply cost Fanatics an exclusive advantage, not an actual business loss.
• Fanatics’ Employee Poaching Allegations: The judge did allow Fanatics’ claim that Panini tried to block employees from jumping ship to Fanatics by threatening legal action.

What Happens Next?

With neither side getting a clear victory, both lawsuits now move into the discovery phase. That means:

• Sworn testimony from key executives at Panini and Fanatics
• Evidence collection, including internal documents and communications
• Witness depositions that could bring new information to light

This process won’t be quick—it could take months, if not years, before a final resolution is reached.

What Does This Mean for Collectors?

So far, the everyday card collector hasn’t felt much impact, aside from Topps producing NBA and NFL cards again under Fanatics' control. But depending on how this plays out, things could get interesting.

• If Panini wins its anti-trust case, could we see more companies entering the licensed card market?
• If Fanatics proves Panini interfered with business deals, will Panini take a financial hit that weakens its position in the industry?
• Will collectors end up with more choices—or fewer?

For now, the legal battle rages on, and the trading card industry waits to see how it all shakes out. One thing is certain—this fight is far from over.