Upper Deck, AFL ink trading card deal
June 3, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
CARLSBAD, Calif. â Upper Deck and the Arena Football League (AFL) have agreed to an exclusive multi-year partnership to bring fans and collectors closer to their favorite indoor football stars. This agreement marks the first-ever pact between the AFL and a sports trading card and memorabilia company.
Whether it's a high-scoring, hotly-contested game between the Arizona Rattlers and the Los Angeles Avengers or the New York Dragons versus the Philadelphia Soul, the action on the field remains fast-paced keeping fans glued to the edge of their seats. Similarly, Upper Deck is known for delivering unique one-of-a-kind sports experiences to consumers through its rich product portfolios and strategic agreements that allow collectors a chance to grab a piece of the game.
"The AFL continues to attract market leaders such as Upper Deck that believe in our long-term growth prospects, innovative track record, and loyal fan base," said GLENN HORINE, Executive Vice President of the Arena Football League Properties. "Our fans have been clamoring for an outlet to further demonstrate their fan avidity through licensed products."
Through cooperation with Players Inc, the marketing and licensing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association, the agreement allows for card-set co-mingling opportunities with past AFL stars, such as MICHAEL LEWIS, TOMMY MADDOX and KURT WARNER. Cards of arenafootball2 stars will also be co-mingled into sets.
The two companies have also agreed to partner during this season's playoffs and ArenaBowl, where Upper Deck branding will be prominently displayed throughout the arenas with field signage, public address and video announcements, and team promotional cards given to fans. The trading card company is also producing a 30-second television advertisement that will be shown during playoff games on NBC â the exclusive network-television partner of the AFL.
"For 18 years, the fans have helped grow the AFL into one of professional sports most exciting leagues and continue to show great support for their favorite players and teams," said BOB ANDREWS, CEO and President of the Upper Deck Company. "Through this exclusive agreement, with a first rate professional sports league, we have an incredible opportunity to introduce Upper Deck products to the fervent fans of Arena Football and further strengthen our position as the leader in the sports collectibles industry."
• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 3, 2004
- Sabercats' James Roe Collects 2nd All-Ironman Team Award - San Jose SaberCats
- Arena Football League launches arenabowl.com - AFL I
- Moyer, McMillen represent Rush on AFL's All-Ironman team - Chicago Rush
- Gladiators announce team award winners - Las Vegas Gladiators
- AFL Q&A: San Jose SaberCats QB Mark Grieb - AFL I
- Desperados Will Pettis Named to AFL All-Ironman Team - Dallas Desperados
- Upper Deck, AFL ink trading card deal - AFL I
- NIKE to dress AFL from head-to-toe in 2004 - AFL I
- Wendall Gaines named to AFL's All-Ironman Team - Arizona Rattlers
- Snyder earns Ironman recognition - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- Philadelphia Soul highlight inaugural season by leading AFL in attendance - Philadelphia Soul
- Arena Football League names U.S. Army All-Ironman team - AFL I
- Cobras Announce 2004 Team Award Recipients - Carolina Cobras
- Teams continue playoff streaks on NBC - AFL I
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
