The Panini Group, a family-owned sports cards and collectibles company, is in talks to merge with Slam Corp., a blank-check company established by Alex Rodriguez. The combined entity is valued at $3 billion or more, according to Bloomberg.
Panini was reportedly weighing a potential sale and attracted interest from private equity firms.
The Italian brand, which generated more than $1 billion in sales in 2018, is also known for its FIFA World Cup stickers.
Slam is just one part of a growing list of business ventures for Rodriguez.
- A-Rod Corp. has a portfolio of more than 30 companies and over $1 billion worth of real estate.
- Rodriguez and tech entrepreneur Marc Lore reached an agreement in May to purchase the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx in a deal worth $1.5 billion.
Panini reached a licensing agreement with the UFC in January to become the mixed martial arts promotion’s official trading card partner.
The company also holds licensing deals with the NFL, NBA, FIFA, Disney, and Epic Games.
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre.](https://frontofficesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/USATSI_25429594_168416385_lowres-e1739674194139.jpg?quality=100&w=1024)
