Food, Cars, and Underwear – In 1998 $26,000 Could’ve Gotten You One Of These MJ Cards

Walmart, Target, and Kohl’s have seen an increase in foot traffic recently.  Underwear can be thanked for that.  Michael Jordan has been a key spokesman for Hanes for 30 years.  To celebrate, Hanes teamed-up with Upper Deck who created a special set of cards.  These exclusive cards can only be found in specially marked Hanes products.  Upper Deck went with the 1988-89 Fleer Basketball design.  (10) Michael Jordan autographs have been thrown in.  They fall 1:108,625 packs.  A complete base set consists of (50) cards with Red and Blue Foil parallels.  All-Star inserts which have Gold Foil parallels are also possible to pull.

Over the years we’ve seen some incredible sales of Michael Jordan cards.  His 1986-87 Fleer rookie is a hobby icon.  Recently a 1997 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Green #’ed/10 parallel of his sold for $350,100.  Collectors go crazy for his stuff.  I can’t wait to see what one of those Hanes autographs sells for.  My guess is $500-$1,000.

In 1998, one of the more interesting Michael Jordan cards was created.  A Chevy dealership in Chicago worked with Upper Deck and produced a small 2-card set.  How were you suppose to obtain one of these cards?  That’s simple.  All you needed to do was purchase a new 1998 Chevy Blazer for $26,000.  Along with the keys to your new purchase, you’ed be handed one of the two cards.  It doesn’t end there folks.  Those cards came with a nice little perk.  You could exchange them for a dinner in a glassed-in room at Michael Jordan’s Restaurant.

Either not many people purchased Chevy Blazers from that dealership, or they did and decided to cash-in on the dinner offer.  Very few of these cards exist today.  Restaurant staff most likely threw them away.

Condition can be a big issue.  They were handled a lot.  Gem mint examples can sell for $600 per card.

Reprints also are a problem.  Based on the reprints I’ve seen, ones of Michael Jordan in the “looking down” pose have a black border around the edge on both the front and back.  Reprints of the “smiling” pose seem to just have this border on the reverse.

Michael Jordan’s Restaurant is still open.  According to the cards, you’re suppose to call 312-644-DUNK (3865) ext. 227 to make reservations.  I called the number, but its been disconnected.  Their new number is (630) 828-2932.

I’d love to see someone pull up to his restaurant today in their 1998 Chevy Blazer, whip out one of these cards, and ask for their meal.

Sports Card Info Is Runner-Up Winner In Panini’s 2014 NFL Player of the Day Hobby Blogger Promotion

For a second year in a row, I’m happy to announce that Sports Card Info is a runner-up winner in Panini’s 2014 NFL Player of the Day Hobby Blogger Promotion.  Remember that large contest held last October?  Well I guess Sports Card Info did a good job in hosting it.

As a runner-up winner, I won the following:

• $100.00 in cash
• (1) Kelvin Benjamin 2014 Panini NFL Player of the Day RC Jersey
• (1) Blake Bortles 2014 Panini NFL Player of the Day RC Jersey
• (1) Sammy Watkins 2014 Panini NFL Player of the Day RC Jersey
• (1) AJ McCarron 2014 Panini NFL Player of the Day RC Jersey
• (1) Mike Evans 2014 Panini NFL Player of the Day RC Jersey
• Handful of 2014 Panini NFL Player of the Day promo packs – pulled autos of Asa Watson, Connor Shaw, and a Johnny Manziel jersey

Thanks everyone who participated!!!

Press Pass Announces Michael Sam Autograph Promotion

Unlicensed and pre-draft football products need to do everything they can to garner enough attention before all the other stuff comes out.  For those collectors planning to open 2014 Press Pass Football which releases on March 5, be sure to save the UPC code off the box.  While supplies last, collectors who send in the UPC code off their box of 2014 Press Pass Football will receive a free Michael Sam Press Pass Signings autograph.

To claim your free autograph, send the UPC code along with a hand printed  3″ x 5″ card containing your name, complete address, and e-mail address in an envelope to:

Press Pass Rookie Football 2014 – Michael Sam

9805 NorthCross Center Ct, Suite H

Huntersville, NC 28078

Only one card per envelope mailed separately, while supplies last.  No metered mail.  Limit 1 request per household.  Failure to comply will result in your entry being disqualified.  Only persons receiving a free autograph will be notified.

I’m all for any type of promotion that can get you a free card.  This is purely so they will sell more boxes, and there is nothing wrong with that.  (Que the patriotic music)

Unboxing Panini’s Prize Pack!

If you recall, last week I announced that Sports Card Info was one of three runner-up winners in Panini’s 2013 NFL Player of the Day Hobby Blogger Promotion.  With that great honor came $100.00 and a prize pack.  Well the prize pack came, and it was beyond what I thought it would be.  Take a gander at what was inside.

Sports Card Info Is Runner-Up Winner In Panini’s 2013 NFL Player of the Day Hobby Blogger Promotion

Last October Sports Card Info was invited to take part in the 2013 Panini NFL Player of the Day Hobby Blogger Promotion.  If you recall, Sports Card Info’s involvement in this promotion meant holding a contest jam-packed with a ton of great prizes.  It was the largest contest held in Sports Card Info’s six year history.  I’m happy to announce that Sports Card Info is one of three runner-up winners that took part in this promotion.  What does that mean?  That means Sports Card Info wins $100.00 and a prize pack from Panini.  Thanks again to everyone that participated.

Here is a copy of the e-mail Sports Card Info received:

January 15, 2014

 

Andrew Chrisman

Sports Card Info

  

Dear Andrew:

On behalf of the Panini NFL Player of the Day promotion, thank you for participating in the 2013 Panini NFL Player of the Day Hobby Blogger Promotion.

We are pleased to present you with a runner-up prize of $100 plus a special prize package from Panini with a few more goodies.  A package with this material will be shipped to you tomorrow.

Please be sure to thank your readers for their support.  We thought your promotion was very well done and we were quite impressed with how much time and effort you put into it.  The fact that it set a new record for the most entries you ever received is a testament to your hard work and creativity.

Panini’s Black Friday Promotion Returns For A 3rd Year

If there is one time of the year Panini’s obsession with foil is perfectly appropriate, its the holiday season.  Returning for 2013 is Panini’s Black Friday hobby shop promotion.  By now you can probably tell that Panini is the king when it comes to giveaways.  They’re constantly giving away stuff.  Collectors that attended the Toronto Expo recently got a small taste of what is to come for this year’s Black Friday promotion.  But this is just the beginning.  Its funny how some of Panini’s promos are designed better than some of their regular products.

Come on Panini!  Let’s see some red, green, white, cracked ice Christmas themed Prizm parallels.  I know you want to make them.  How about a gravy themed Prizm parallel?

Its really difficult to see the signature on this one, but its there.

I do believe that Panini is the #1 buyer of tinsel.

This is a perfect example of how their promos can look better than anything else they make.  Check out some of the others.

Sports Card Info To Participate In Panini’s 2013 NFL Player of the Day Promotion

Panini is the king when it comes to promotions.  They certainly aren’t afraid to giveaway some free stuff.  One of their longest and most successful promotional programs is their annual NFL Player of the Day promotion.  For more than a decade the Panini POD promotion has helped hobby shops bring in more customers, and sell products.  This year there are almost 900 hobby shops registered to participate.  Each hobby shop is sent an exclusive prize pack that contains all sorts of stuff they can giveaway to those customers that meet the requirements.  Be sure to see if your local hobby shop is one of the participants, so you can get your hands on some exclusive cards.  In the end, one lucky collector will get to spend the day with an NFL player, while tons of others will walk away with a lot of free prizes.

For the first time ever, Sports Card Info will be participating in Panini’s POD program this year.  I was contacted by Panini earlier this week, and happily agreed to participate.  One of the Panini POD prize kits should be arriving shortly.  Expect at least one contest to take place sometime between October 1st and November 15th.  I’m glad that Panini asked me to participate, as there are many collectors who don’t live near a hobby shop in order to get involved with this promotion.

iCollectPanini.com Super Bowl XLVII Black Box Promotion

I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it it again.  Panini is one of the best manufacturers when it comes to promos.  In addition to their commemorative Super Bowl XLVII set, Panini has created a special Super Bowl XLVII Black Box promotion over on iCollectPanini.com.  Anyone who purchases a 2012 NFL product (hobby or retail) with an MSRP of $60.00 or more will receive one of these special packs while supplies last.  Inside each Black Box you’ll find one autographed card specifically made for this promotion.  Below are just a few of the cards that you could pull.  Check out The Knight’s Lance for more pictures.  Last night I purchased a retail box of 2012 Absolute, and I’m looking forward to seeing what I pull from my Black Box pack.

Panini Father’s Day Promotion Is Heating Up – New Auto & Relic Preview

Panini got a little Twitter happy this afternoon and sent out a few new images of the relics and autographs you’ll be able to find in their 2012 Father’s Day promotion this year.  This promotion will work just like their Black Friday promotion they did last year.  If you don’t have a local shop, Panini has said there will be an online component.  A list of participating dealers will be announced on Monday.

Panini does promos very well.

Panini Gearing-Up For Their 2012 Father’s Day Promotion

If there is one thing Panini is good at, its promos.  This year they are building on the success of the Black Friday packs and will be rolling out a special Father’s Day promotion.  No details yet on how you can obtain these specially made cards, but it probably will involve heading to your local participating hobby shop and purchasing a box or two.  Panini makes some of the best promos in the hobby.  It doesn’t matter if its Black Friday, Father’s Day, or The National Sports Collectors Convention, collectors love Panini’s promos.  There should be promos for every holiday.  I can’t wait for their Groundhog Day promos.