2007-08 UD Black Basketball Sends Signal that High-End Basketball is Alive and Well

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Collectors are investing heavily in the new set as evidenced by on-line auctions

Carlsbad, CA – (March 18, 2008) – After concerns arose on the health of the NBA trading card market, Upper Deck reacted by drastically limiting print runs and improving content on NBA releases. With interest in the NBA soaring ever since February’s All-Star Game and several blockbuster trades, the release of 2007-08 UD Black Basketball is apparently just the type of product for which collectors have been waiting.



Collectors who prefer high-end products are really enjoying opening up packs as the cards they pull are just dazzling. Signatures on UD Black trading cards really stand out as the cards are produced on a black substrate and athletes sign the cards using silver or gold ink. Additionally, the limited nature and high-end names tied to these cards have caused many to sell for big money in recent online auctions.



Below are just some of the recent online auctions that have closed successfully:



· $6,999 paid for 2007-2008 UD Black Dual Patch Autograph Larry Bird/Michael Jordan 1-of-1

· $2,100 paid for 2007-2008 UD Black Octograph Jordan/James/Bird/Johnson/Jabbar/Olajuwon/Russell/Erving numbered to 10

· $1,499 paid for 2007-2008 UD Black LeBron James Autograph All-Star Patch 1-of-1

· $1,300 paid for 2007-2008 UD Black Bill Russell Autograph Championship Patch 1-of-1

· $1,050 paid for 2007-2008 UD Black Kobe Bryant Autograph USA Jersey with “Team USA #10” Inscription numbered to 25

· $1,007 paid for 2007-2008 UD Black Quad Autograph Jordan/Bird/Johnson/Erving numbered to 10



There are several active auctions that are creating a lot of interest as well. Especially e-Bay item number 290214328776 for a 2007-08 UD Black Quad Autograph Jordan/Bryant/James/Erving 1-of-1 card with a current bid of over $10,000. Another very unique dual autograph card that has been getting a lot of attention features former Texas standout stars Kevin Durant (Sonics) and Vince Young (Titans). There are a few different versions of these cards, but all have been commanding top dollar as it’s not an everyday occurrence when an NFL Rookie of the Year signs a card with the projected NBA Rookie of the Year.

“While 2007-08 UD Black Basketball has been performing very well for retailers, don’t be surprised if reordering becomes difficult when the product starts to dry up due to low production runs and high consumer interest,” said Chris Kollmeyer, Upper Deck’s Basketball brand manager. “It’s good to see a lot of excitement around a Basketball product again and we expect that momentum to continue through the rest of our releases this season. Our designers did a great job with UD Black as they employed many different concepts to cards that have never been seen before so it is obviously drawing the attention of high-end collectors.”



Upper Deck’s 2007-08 UD Black Basketball carries a suggested retail price of $125 per one-card hobby pack and is in stores now.



CONTENT HIGHLIGHTS:

o Every card is either an autograph or multi-swatch memorabilia numbered 99 or lower – rookies are the only cards numbered to 99. All other cards numbered to 50 or less!

o At least one autograph per box, on average!

o Plenty of surprises and innovative cards that will once again capture the attention of the marketplace!



PRODUCT BREAKDOWN:

Autographed-Memorabilia Cards

o Rookie Jersey/Auto Gold // (# to 10)

o Rookie Jersey/Auto White // (# to 1)

o Dual Auto Jersey/Patch (# to 10)

o Dual Auto Jersey/Patch Gold // (# to 5)

o Dual Auto Jersey/Patch White // (# to 1)

o Manufactured Numbers Auto (# to Jersey #)

o Manufactured Numbers Auto Gold // (# to 10)

o Manufactured Numbers Auto White // (# to 1)

o Manufactured Letters Auto (# to 25)

o Manufactured Letters Auto Gold // (# to 10)

o Manufactured Letters Auto White // (# to Last Name)

o Game-Worn Jersey/Tag Auto (# to 1)

o Manufactured Flag Auto (# to 25)

o Manufactured Flag Auto Gold // (# to 10)

o Manufactured Flag Auto White // (# to 1)

o Manufactured Trophy Auto (# to 25)

o Manufactured Trophy Auto Gold // (# to # of Championships)

o Manufactured Trophy Auto White // (# to 1)

o Manufactured All-Star Patch Auto (# to 25)

o Manufactured All-Star Patch Auto Gold // (# to All-Star Games)

o Manufactured All-Star Patch Auto White // (# to 1)

o Manufactured 50th Anniv. Patch Auto (# to 50)

o Manufactured 50th Anniv. Patch Auto Gold // (# to 10)

o Manufactured 50th Anniv. Patch Auto White // (# to 1)

o Patch Material Auto (# to 50 or 25)

o Patch Material Auto Gold // (# to 10)

o Patch Material Auto White // (# to 1)

o Dual Patch Material Auto (# to 15)

o Dual Patch Material Auto Gold // (# to 5)

o Dual Patch Material Auto White // (# to 1)

o Manufactured Ticket Auto (# to 50)

o Manufactured Ticket Auto Gold // (# to 15)

o Manufactured Ticket Auto White // (# to 1)

o Dual Manufactured Ticket Auto (# to 15)

o Dual Manufactured Ticket Auto Gold // (# to 5)

o Dual Manufactured Ticket Auto White // (# to 1)

o Jersey/Patch Auto (# to 25)

o Jersey/Patch Auto Gold // (# to 10)

o Jersey/Patch Auto White // (# to 1)



Autographed Cards

o Single Autographs (# to 50 or 25)

o Single Autographs Gold // (# to 25 or 10)

o Single Autographs White // (# to 1)

o Dual Autographs (# to 25)



About Upper Deck

Founded in 1988, Upper Deck is a premier global sports and entertainment-publishing company that delivers a robust portfolio of products for sports and entertainment collectors alike. For more information, visit The Upper Deck Company: Sports Trading Cards, Authentic Memorabilia, Sports Collectibles, & Entertainment Products or - Upper Deck Store.