• Loading stock data...
Friday, October 3, 2025
Law

Panini Alleges Fanatics Induced NFLPA, WWE to Break Contracts

  • In an amended federal complaint, Panini makes new claims after the NFLPA and WWE sought to end deals early.
  • The NFLPA and WWE were blocked from starting their deals with Fanatics early.
Fanatics is buying auction marketplace PWCC.
Fanatics

Fanatics induced the NFL Players Association and WWE toward seeking to terminate their agreements with Panini early, according to an amended federal complaint obtained by Front Office Sports. 

A legal battle between Fanatics and Panini that began in two federal courts in early August swung in a new direction when the NFLPA and WWE unsuccessfully tried to shed their existing deals with Panini.

“In lockstep fashion — almost as if it were planned — within days of the NFL Players Association’s attempt to terminate its contract with Panini and announcing Fanatics was its new exclusive partner, WWE did the same,” Stuart Singer, one of Panini’s outside lawyers, wrote in a new complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida on Tuesday.

Panini is seeking an injunction to prevent Fanatics’ alleged anti-competitive conduct as well as unspecified damages and a jury trial.  

“Panini, realizing that its original complaint was legally defective, has tried to fix the problems with it.  Fanatics believes Panini’s newest complaint is equally defective and intends to seek total dismissal,” a Fanatics spokesperson told FOS.

A Panini spokesperson declined comment.

FOS previously reported that the NFLPA and WWE used the same change-of-control provisions to cancel their contracts with Panini. The NFLPA and WWE’s parent company — Endeavor — have equity stakes in Fanatics. 

The new complaint alleged Fanatics used “unlawful means” to hire 36 Panini employees, effectively setting the stage for NFLPA and WWE to argue there had been a substantial change to Panini’s executive management team to trigger that provision. 

According to the complaint, the list of employees targeted included longtime Panini America CEO Mark Warsop.  

Warsop chose to remain at Panini, although Panini’s legal team stated in the filing that they urged many others to quit the company. Fanatics offered “compensation packages at levels that make no economic sense.”

The NFLPA has a contract with Panini that runs through 2026, and Panini’s deal with WWE runs through 2025, and each previously announced that Fanatics would take over those trading card deals. 

“With the aid and encouragement of Fanatics, these employees stole Panini’s trade secrets and helped Fanatics recruit other employees away from Panini, each in violation of their employment contracts with Panini, specifically the proprietary-information and non-solicitation provisions,” the new complaint alleged. 

The WWE was denied a temporary restraining order in federal court on Sept. 25. Days later, an arbitrator rejected the NFLPA’s request for emergency relief. 

Those decisions effectively kept Panini’s existing deals with the NFLPA and WWE until both cases were decided.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sep 28, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Cam Hart (20) breaks up a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Nabers was carted off the field with an injury after the play.

Malik Nabers’s Torn ACL Rekindles NFL’s Grass vs. Turf Debate

The Giants star tore his ACL on MetLife Stadium’s artificial surface.
Emmitt Smith
exclusive

Emmitt Smith Would Take Running NFLPA ‘Into Consideration’

Smith said the union is at its best when run by an ex-player.
Sep 6, 2025; Paris, FRANCE; Brad Tavares (red gloves) fights Robert Bryczek (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Accor Arena.

TKO President Mark Shapiro Pops Talk of Valuation Bubble, Defends UFC Deal

“Sports is the last bastion of unifying content in this world.”

Roger Goodell: NFL’s Next Frontier Is More Games, More Countries

The commissioner has pushed for an 18-game season since last spring.

Featured Today

Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
FARMINGDALE, NY - SEPTEMBER 23: Rory McIlroy of Team Europe hits out of the rough on the first hole during the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York.
September 25, 2025

Ryder Cup in New York: Record-Setting Hopes and Fan Concerns

Organizers anticipate record attendance and revenue, but worry remains about fan behavior.
FARMINGDALE, NY - SEPTEMBER 22: Cameron Young of Team USA hits his tee shot on the third hole during the 2025 Ryder Cup Practice Round at Bethpage State Park on Monday, September 22, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York.
September 23, 2025

U.S. Ryder Cup Players Will Be Paid. Not Everyone Is Pleased

Americans are receiving a $200,000 stipend, and not everyone is pleased.
Apr 16, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; FIFA Chief Football Officer Jill Ellis speaks during a FIFA Club World Cup press conference at Audi Field.

San Diego Wave Owners Sue Jill Ellis for Abandoning Team After Sale

Ellis allegedly broke a pledge by leaving for FIFA after the sale.
Oct 27, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans co-founder and former owner Janice McNair (left) sits with Texans chief executive officer Cal McNair and wife Hannah McNair in front of family members of Texans former player Andre Johnson (not pictured) during a ceremony at halftime of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium.
September 29, 2025

NFL Sued for $100M Over Efforts to ‘Silence’ Brother of Texans Owner

Robert Cary McNair Jr. says the NFL helped remove him from roles.
Brian Flores
September 30, 2025

Brian Flores Asks Court to Halt NFL Arbitration

The war between Flores’s lawyers and an NFL arbitrator has heated up.
Sponsored

How Soccer Star Jozy Altidore Became a Buffalo Bills Owner

Jozy Altidore discusses building a business legacy off the field.
Apr 11, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray (24) grabs a rebound during the second half against Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield (7) at Moda Center.
September 26, 2025

RAJ Sports Sues Panda Express Owners for Dumping Them in Blazers Bid

RAJ Sports says it led a group that sought to buy the Blazers.
Mar 26, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; Detail view of the logo and basketballs during NCAA Tournament West Regional Practice at Chase Center.
September 26, 2025

Judge Dismisses Multiple Claims in Transgender Participation Lawsuit

The lawsuit was brought in 2024 by conservative activist Riley Gaines and others.
September 26, 2025

New York City Medical Examiner: Park Ave Shooter Had Evidence of ‘Low-Stage’..

The gunman targeted the NFL’s headquarters in the July shooting.
SUNY Geneseo is located just a block away from Main Street in Geneseo on Feb. 11, 2025.
September 22, 2025

NCAA, SUNY Geneseo Sued for Excluding Transgender Runner

The suit says state law supersedes the NCAA policy the school cited.