As I write this, we are about a week removed from the Dak Prescott autopen situation coming to light. If you’re reading this, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The story has made the Washington Post, ESPN and other outlets. I even saw a local opinion piece from someone that has no idea what he’s talking about in regard to this situation.
Panini hasn’t said a word. It’s been reported that a Panini employee hung up on a USA Today reporter. None of Dak Prescott’s representatives have talked. Nor has the NFL or NFLPA. I guess they don’t realize that the longer they let this go, the worse it looks. Besides, something tells me that Panini knew about this before word got out. To me, the silence is deafening.
Less than a month ago, Panini acknowledged that some cards signed by first round pick Takkarist McKinley were not signed by him.
This morning I saw a tweet regarding signatures from a Panini Country Music product that may have also been autopenned.
Oh, and we are just months removed from Panini being called out for using Mitchell & Ness jerseys and calling them “game worn” on 2016 National Treasures product.
LINK: MISTAKENLY LABELED EVENT-WORN TAGS INCLUDED IN 2016 NATIONAL TREASURES FOOTBALL
Is the a doomsday scenario for Panini? I don’t think so.
All of the major card companies have serious deficiencies. Not once has the collecting community said “enough is enough” and stopped purchasing any company’s product. It’s sad, but I don’t believe that even all of these situations will keep people from buying Panini.
There are too many in the hobby just waiting to pull that next “sick hit” or “wicked patch” and they will be giving more money to Panini in no time. If only the consumer had an option of something else to buy…
They don’t though, thanks to exclusives. We can add this to the list of reasons that exclusives are bad for this hobby. If Topps was still producing football cards, I believe that shops would have a hard time keeping them on the shelves after this high-profile boner.
You have nowhere else to go. You won’t stop buying. Why should Panini care or change anything?
Within the last year I sent my resume to Panini. They never bothered to contact me. The sports card industry is very much a “good ol’ boys” network and unless you have a connection, it’s next to impossible to get it. Thank God for unanswered prayers.
Good luck to Panini at the National. You’re going to need it.
