Leaf Trading Cards, a prominent player in the trading card industry, has made an exciting announcement. The company has officially acquired the legendary Press Pass brand, marking a significant development in the world of trading cards. Press Pass, known for its innovation in the memorabilia card segment, had ceased its operations in 2015. As part of the acquisition, Leaf Trading Cards plans to bring back the Press Pass brand, starting with a football trading card box that features promising high school quarterback, JuJu Lewis.
Press Pass was established in 1992 and quickly made a name for itself as a pioneer in the trading card industry. It was particularly known for its NASCAR sets and NFL Draft products, with the last releases dating back to 2014. The brand gained a reputation for its ability to seamlessly integrate authentic memorabilia into cards, setting the standard for the industry.
Under the leadership of Kevin O’Neil, the CEO of Leaf Trading Cards and former Director of Sales at Press Pass, the relaunch of the brand is set to pay homage to its storied past while bringing in fresh and innovative collections. O’Neil brings a unique perspective to this venture, having been part of Press Pass during its influential years. With his insight and experience, Leaf Trading Cards aims to release standalone Press Pass-branded products that combine nostalgia with modern design.
The revival of the Press Pass brand will begin with a football trading card box that centers around JuJu Lewis, a highly talented high school junior who has already committed to the University of Southern California (USC) for the class of 2025. This collection serves as a testament to Leaf’s commitment to highlighting emerging talent in sports and showcases their ability to captivate collectors’ attention with promising athletes.
The Press Pass brand has a rich history of innovation, notably pioneering the memorabilia card segment in trading cards. One of its notable releases was the 1996 NASCAR set, which introduced race-used tires as part of the trading card design. This bold move set a precedent for incorporating authentic memorabilia into cards. Press Pass continued to push boundaries with race-used sheet metal cards and was the first to introduce game-used jersey basketball cards in a draft product that showcased future NBA stars, including Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson.
The acquisition and subsequent relaunch of the Press Pass brand by Leaf Trading Cards represent a strategic expansion of Leaf’s product offerings. It aims to merge nostalgia with contemporary sports memorabilia, welcoming a new generation of collectors to the Press Pass legacy while continuing to innovate in the trading card market.
In conclusion, the acquisition and relaunch of the Press Pass brand by Leaf Trading Cards mark an exciting chapter in the trading card industry. With a focus on combining tradition with innovation, Leaf aims to revitalize the brand and introduce new collections that capture the imagination of collectors. The inclusion of high school quarterback JuJu Lewis in the first release further signifies Leaf’s dedication to showcasing emerging talent in sports. This move has the potential to reignite interest in the Press Pass brand, appealing to both longtime collectors and new enthusiasts alike.
