So Upper Deck have lost the rights to make NFL cards…. We could have run this two days ago but I guess I am just losing the will read all this Upper Deck related commentary, even though I have been participating in it form months now. The talking heads within the industry are going up the wall with every revelation and every detail. For the last 6-12 months UD has been in massive decline. The facts are fairly simple, Upper Deck has been stripped of its license for Baseball, NFL Football, and from next year it must share the rights to produce NHL Hockey with Panini. It has lost YuGiOh because by producing counterfeit cards, they have been stripped of the World of Warcraft rights from next month, they fired the whole entertainment division and have had to fight three lawsuits in 12 months. It has by any one’s account been a very very bad year for the company.
So I guess when I read a constant stream of commentary about how Upper Deck are going to go under and how they have nothing left well I just don’t think it’s true anymore. I mean sure I personally would like to see them shut down, they have behaved in ways that not only bend ethics but snap them, Upper Deck is a dishonest company with a corrupt CEO, this has been demonstrated time and time again, by wise and infinitely more literate people than myself. (read the card sharks book) Realistically however Upper Deck still have some major licenses in the stable. Marvel could be a real money spinner if used correctly. Upper Deck have already taken steps towards a restructure with the dismissal of so many staff and the cancellation of products and sets. So many on the web are saying Richard McWilliam should go but this only demonstrates the naivety of the writers. Richard IS Upper Deck, from the outset when he made them the first advance of $70,000.00 he has manoeuvred the company until it was under his total control. People need to remember this is not a publicly held company it is NOT answerable to anyone but the owner and that is Richard McWilliam. The Idea that someone else will take over is simply farcical, he can ride it into the ground (and he may well be doing that). He can in essence do what he likes.
Months ago when I started writing about Upper Deck and the scandals a lot of people said it was a blip and that they were a good company, staunchly defending them, yet as more and more dirty washing is aired in public from so many reliable sources the tide has begun to turn. In my experience most forums and areas of comment seem to be siding against Upper Deck, which is a big shift in public perception, and probably a fair one.
It’s fair to say that Upper Deck are almost out of the sports card market, which is unfortunate for the Upper Deck fans who just liked to buy the cards they made, however it’s not a massive surprise to those who follow the news. If you read sites like sports cards uncensored you might even think the golden age is ending, however if you do ever read that blog keep in mind the the author “Adam Gellman” also writes for the official Upper Deck blog so you know… no conflict of interests… The real concern in my opinion would be if Upper Deck decided to become a major player in Non Sports. You see even a wounded Upper Deck is more powerful than most any specialized Non Sports producer these days. Non Sports is a sleeping giant, and as more card sets make it into mainstream retail outlets (Twilight is just one example) more and more companies are waking up to this potential. I fear Upper Deck may well come into the entertainment market with the same morally bankrupt ethos it used in the sports market and irreparable harm our industry. With Marvel behind them they already have the momentum to start. Of course this is speculation they may have no real aim to enter Non Sports in a serious way, so only time will tell. Upper Deck are down but I don’t think they are out just yet.
