Trading card manufacturer Wild Card filed a lawsuit Thursday alleging rival card maker Panini America violated federal and Texas antitrust laws.
Wild Card’s lawsuit alleges Panini has been “weaponizing its dominance to choke off Wild Card’s emerging trading card brand.”
According to the lawsuit, Wild Card alleges Panini warned distribution partners at a meeting in October 2021 that supporting Wild Card would carry “consequences.” Wild Card claims four major distributors "abruptly withdrew from profitable ongoing Wild Card orders despite strong demand and no performance issues."
In the suit, Wild Card said Panini’s alleged threats and retaliation against the company “foreclosed Wild Card’s access to essential distribution and specialized manufacturing, reducing output, suppressing innovation, and preserving Panini’s dominant market power in the relevant markets.”
According to Wild Card, the company lost access to distributors that supplied more than 50% of premium cards in the United States and more than 50% of Wild Card’s distribution capacity. Wild Card alleges the lost distributors had previously accounted for 50% of its revenue and eliminated its “ability to sustain competitive operations.”
In addition to lost distributors, Wild Card alleges Panini threatened at least one manufacturer capable of producing premium cards, resulting in the manufacturer withdrawing from Wild Card’s projects.
Wild Card argues it is entitled to treble damages, costs, attorney’s fees, interest and permanent injunctive relief.
Based in Nolensville, Tennessee, Wild Card was founded in 2021 and manufactures trading cards featuring athletes as well as various pop-culture franchises.
Panini America is based in Irving, Texas, and has produced licensed trading cards for the NBA, NFL, WNBA and other leagues since 2009. Panini’s parent company, Italy-based Panini Group, was founded in 1961, and produces cards, stickers, comics and magazines.
Panini America is currently engaged in another legal battle with rival manufacturer Fanatics. Panini sued Fanatics in 2023 for antitrust violations, alleging the retailer had created a trading card monopoly following its acquisition of exclusive licensing rights for the NBA and NFL.
Fanatics later countersued Panini, alleging the manufacturer had interfered with employment agreements following the departure of key staff members to Fanatics Collectibles.
Both lawsuits between Panini and Fanatics are currently in discovery and are expected to have trial dates in 2027 or 2028.
Ben Burrows is a reporter and editor for cllct, the premier company for collectible culture. He was previously the collectibles editor at Sports Illustrated. You can follow him on X and Instagram @benmburrows.