Leaf Trading Cards has made a significant move in the trading card industry by officially acquiring the Press Pass brand. Press Pass, a renowned name in the industry known for its innovative approach to memorabilia cards, ceased operations in 2015. With this acquisition, Leaf Trading Cards aims to rejuvenate the brand and introduce new trading card lines.
Established in 1992, Press Pass gained fame for its NASCAR sets and NFL Draft products, with its last releases in 2014. Under the leadership of Kevin O’Neil, current CEO of Leaf and former Director of Sales at Press Pass, Leaf Trading Cards plans to bring innovation and tradition together to breathe new life into the Press Pass brand.
The relaunch of Press Pass is kickstarted with a football trading card box that shines the spotlight on JuJu Lewis, a promising high school junior and a top quarterback prospect committed to USC for the class of 2025. Leaf Trading Cards aims to showcase emerging talent in sports, starting with Lewis and continuing to feature other young athletes in future releases.
Kevin O’Neil’s unique perspective, having been part of the influential years of Press Pass, gives him insight into the brand’s storied past. Under his leadership, Leaf Trading Cards plans to release standalone Press Pass-branded products that pay homage to the brand’s legacy while incorporating modern collections.
Press Pass holds a significant place in the history of trading cards, credited with pioneering the concept of memorabilia cards in the industry. The brand’s 1996 NASCAR release, featuring race-used tires, set a precedent for the integration of authentic memorabilia into cards. Press Pass continued to innovate with the introduction of race-used sheet metal cards and the first game-used jersey basketball cards in a draft product that showcased future NBA stars like Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson.
Leaf Trading Cards’ acquisition and relaunch of the Press Pass brand marks a strategic expansion of its product offerings. The company aims to merge nostalgia with contemporary sports memorabilia, introducing a new generation of collectors to the Press Pass legacy while also bringing new innovations to the trading card market.
Overall, Leaf Trading Cards’ acquisition of the Press Pass brand represents a significant step forward in the trading card industry. By reviving the brand, introducing new trading card lines, and spotlighting emerging talent, Leaf Trading Cards aims to captivate collectors, both old and new, and continue pushing the boundaries of innovation in the market.