Panini America Responds to “Disgraceful” Michael Jackson Memorabilia Controversy

I’ll begin with this: Trading card manufacturers have been cutting up superstar-worn memorabilia and sharing it with collectors for more than 15 years now. Frankly, memorabilia cards rank favorably among the most popular and significant trading card innovations of the last 50 years.
Babe Ruth’s jersey has been cut. So has Jim Thorpe’s. And Kobe Bryant’s. And Sidney Crosby’s. Marilyn Monroe’s dress? It’s been cut. John Wayne’s shirt? It’s been cut. I could, quite literally, go on and on and on and on . . .
But when Panini America last week introduced the Official Michael Jackson Trading Card Set (including in its packs randomly inserted cards featuring pieces of clothing Michael wore on stage decades ago), one point became painfully clear: Michael Jackson had never been the subject of a memorabilia card.
The fact that he finally is struck a sour note with some Jackson fans who used various social media venues to voice their displeasure regarding us “destroying his clothes.”
They called the cards “disrespectful,” “disgraceful,” “stupid” – and those are just the adjectives suitable for print.
Clearly, there’s been a huge misunderstanding.
In the interest of full disclosure, know this: The people who worked closest on bringing this set to life*(starting at top with CEO Mark Warsop) are lifelong Jackson fans who wanted nothing more than to develop a timeless trading card tribute to Jackson that his fans across the world would cherish. Most of us inside Panini America – and most of the fans we’ve heard from – have received it as exactly that.
Others . . . not so much.*
When we set out to produce the official Jackson set more than 18 months ago (working hand-in-hand with the Jackson estate every step of the way), we did so with a sincere desire to respectfully honor Jackson’s immense legacy and to bring his fans closer to him than they’ve ever been.
Carefully and tastefully sharing pieces of his memorabilia with those folks was simply one unique way of doing that. We also worked diligently in the areas of photo selection and design to create a 240-card tribute that elegantly honors Jackson’s greatest moments, records and achievements.
The fact is that even the most passionate Jackson fans had long since forgotten about these particular pieces of Jackson memorabilia from the 1970s, which we purchased at public auction two years ago. As is the case so many times, these pieces of memorabilia could easily have been purchased by a private collector and tucked away from public view forever, never to be seen – let alone touched – by Jackson’s fans.
Instead, we bought them, carefully deconstructed them and transformed them into bona fide pieces of Jackson history, complete with descriptions on the back detailing exactly when and where the items were worn. You can admire it. You can touch it. And most importantly, you can appreciate it.
That’s why we made it. And that’s exactly what most Jackson fans are doing.
“This has to be the greatest set Panini has ever released,” said YouTube viewer royletlow after watching . “I have been waiting patiently for this release. I am a big Michael Jackson fan. The world lost the greatest entertainer to have ever lived when he passed. I think it’s great that you guys are giving the fans a way to feel close to Michael. Thank you so much for creating this set. I can’t wait to get my hands on a piece of memorabilia that Michael actually wore.”
Apparently, neither can scores of other Jackson fans. Early sales of the memorabilia cards on the secondary market have been nothing short of thrilling, with some cards commanding more than $200.
“Just knowing that these cards are out there makes my heart feel good and I know that [Michael] would be so proud,” said YouTube user TheBryanSaraShow. “I’ll be happy with just having any of the regular cards. Having a special memorabilia card would make my heart feel happy, because I would own a piece of my idol.”
Michael Jackson cards making his fans’ hearts happy?*That’s why we made them.

Read more over at the Panini Blog...

Like I said last time, personally more of an Elvis guy myself. But this Is still pretty cool for all the Michael Jackson fans. The clothing cards arn't numbered ? At least It tells when and where It was worn. Something that NBA cards really need to do. They only had to bust 50 packs to find a clothing card. lol ... but still cool I suppose. I've seen a couple Individual Michael Jackson clothing cards sell on Ebay the past few days for $80+

you cut up legendary uniforms of the babe, jim thorpe, the iron horse & cobb. stuff that can never be replaced. but how about some proper GU stuff of the guys still playing today. the wording on the back of GU cards has become very vague, to the point that we cant be sure the player even wore the thing...

Michael Jackson cards making his fans’ hearts happy?*That’s why we made them.

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and to the jackson fans who dont like/collect cards? the ones who would rather see the clothing preserved not destroyed for a small % of MJ card collectors?
another panini statement that doesnt really say anything but 'we'll do what we want'.
just my opinion.

Great set IMO, cool looking worn stuff in there

im pretty sure michael jackson wore alot of stuff in his career.. its not like they are cutting every piece of clothing he has ever worn on stage..

I really enjoy reading comments in panini blog.

ARTHY23 said:

im pretty sure michael jackson wore alot of stuff in his career.. its not like they are cutting every piece of clothing he has ever worn on stage..

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It's also fairly safe to say that most people could probably not afford to buy a complete piece of clothing that he once wore. Those complaining should look at this as a chance to own something iconic at a small outlay (albeit for a small piece).

It is giving all fans, not just the super rich the chance to own something once worn by their idol.

ARTHY23 said:

im pretty sure michael jackson wore alot of stuff in his career.. its not like they are cutting every piece of clothing he has ever worn on stage..

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postgsl said:

It's also fairly safe to say that most people could probably not afford to buy a complete piece of clothing that he once wore. Those complaining should look at this as a chance to own something iconic at a small outlay (albeit for a small piece).

It is giving all fans, not just the super rich the chance to own something once worn by their idol.

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Spot on there guys. I listened to Jackson a lot growing up and although I don't much now, his music had a massive influence on me as a youngster. I will at some stage probably pick up some of these simply for nostalgic reasons.

I think those complaining were probably the kind to faint at the sight of the late Mr. Jackson, you know the screaming, crazed, psycho fans.

Also, love how Tracy touch's the card

sgt_pepper said:

you cut up legendary uniforms of the babe, jim thorpe, the iron horse & cobb. stuff that can never be replaced. but how about some proper GU stuff of the guys still playing today. the wording on the back of GU cards has become very vague, to the point that we cant be sure the player even wore the thing...

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Exactly! The items on the cards are sure to be non game worn and in most cases they are too lazy to even match the color of the GU with the uniform on the card picture !. How about panini stop trying to get so many darn cards out of one jersey and make them interesting.

I've got 2 boxes on the way from the US. Hopefully I'll pull a shirt card.