Leaf Trading Cards, a prominent name in the trading card industry, has made a major announcement with the official acquisition and relaunch of the iconic Press Pass brand. Established in 1992, Press Pass was known for its innovative approach to memorabilia cards and had garnered a strong following before ceasing operations in 2015. This revival marks a significant development in the trading card market, as Leaf Trading Cards aims to bring both nostalgia and innovation to collectors.
Kevin O’Neil, the current CEO of Leaf Trading Cards and former Director of Sales at Press Pass, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this venture. With a deep understanding of the influential years of Press Pass, O’Neil plans to rejuvenate the brand by releasing standalone Press Pass-branded products that pay homage to its storied past while incorporating modern designs and collections.
To kick off the relaunch, Leaf Trading Cards is introducing a football trading card box featuring JuJu Lewis, a highly promising high school quarterback. Lewis, a junior in high school, has already committed to playing for the University of Southern California (USC) in the Class of 2025. This collaboration with Lewis demonstrates Leaf Trading Cards’ commitment to showcasing emerging talent in sports and providing collectors with an early look at potential future stars.
The Press Pass brand holds a special place in the trading card industry’s history, as it was one of the pioneers of the memorabilia card segment. In 1996, Press Pass released a NASCAR set that featured race-used tires, setting the stage for the integration of authentic memorabilia into trading cards. The brand continued to innovate with the introduction of race-used sheet metal cards and was the first to include game-used jersey basketball cards in a draft product that highlighted future NBA superstars like Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson.
Leaf Trading Cards’ acquisition and relaunch of Press Pass demonstrate its strategic expansion and commitment to providing a diverse range of products for collectors. By merging nostalgia with contemporary sports memorabilia, Leaf aims to introduce a new generation of collectors to the Press Pass brand while continuing to push the boundaries of innovation within the trading card market.
As Leaf Trading Cards revitalizes the Press Pass brand, fans and collectors can look forward to upcoming releases that feature other sports and showcase the talents of rising stars. This relaunch represents an exciting opportunity for collectors to not only revisit the nostalgia of Press Pass but also to discover new and innovative trading card collections that reflect the ever-evolving sports landscape.
In conclusion, Leaf Trading Cards’ acquisition and relaunch of the Press Pass brand is a significant development in the trading card industry. By combining nostalgia with contemporary sports memorabilia, Leaf aims to captivate both old and new collectors. The introduction of football cards featuring high school quarterback JuJu Lewis demonstrates Leaf’s commitment to showcasing emerging talent, further adding to the anticipation surrounding the relaunch of the Press Pass brand.
