In an industry-rocking move, Fanatics is set to dominate the world of sports collectibles even further by taking over the licensing rights for producing trading cards and stickers for the prestigious Premier League. This groundbreaking development is scheduled to kick in as the 2025/26 season unfolds, marking a pivotal moment in the realm of professional soccer memorabilia. The deal sees Fanatics replacing Panini, the current license holder whose term runs until May 2025.

Fanatics has been rapidly expanding its influence, having acquired the renowned Topps brand in January 2022. The company already boasts licensing rights to a myriad of prominent sports leagues and events, including heavyweights such as the NBA, NFL, UFC, and Formula 1, in addition to the Bundesliga and UEFA Club Competitions. With this latest agreement with the Premier League, Fanatics is primed to elevate its position in the European market significantly.

The Premier League stands as the pinnacle of professional soccer, hosting six of the world’s ten most valuable clubs and commanding a massive global fanbase. Consequently, the collaboration between the Premier League and Fanatics holds immense promise, with Premier League Chief Commercial Officer Will Brass expressing great enthusiasm for the partnership. Brass commended Fanatics for its innovative approach and successful track record in enhancing fan engagement through collectibles.

Speaking to ESPN, David Leiner, President of Trading Cards at Fanatics Collectibles, outlined the company’s strategic vision to grow the trading card segment in Europe, a region traditionally more inclined towards sticker collecting. Leiner emphasized the Premier League’s keen interest in Fanatics not only for their collectibles expertise but also for their adept management of player relationships, exemplified by partnerships with star athletes like Tom Brady and Ronald Acuna Jr.

Furthermore, Fanatics has solidified its presence in English football through e-commerce and licensed apparel partnerships with The FA and various Premier League clubs. This deeper integration into the fabric of English soccer sets the stage for a transformative shift in the collectibles landscape. Fans worldwide can anticipate a more immersive and expansive collecting experience once the new licensing agreement comes into effect at the onset of the 2025/26 season.

The synergy between Fanatics, a powerhouse in the sports collectibles realm, and the Premier League, a globally revered soccer entity, teases a future brimming with innovative and engaging memorabilia offerings. As the countdown to the 2025/26 season begins, enthusiasts across the globe eagerly await the unveiling of the exclusive Premier League trading cards and stickers that are sure to captivate fans and collectors alike.

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Anthony Edwards and Victor Wembanyama dominated the spotlight at the Goldin Auctions April Elite sale, as the fervor for their memorabilia reached unprecedented levels. The event showcased a whirlwind of transactions propelled by roaring bids and historic prices, setting new benchmarks in the world of sports collectibles.

The star of the show was undeniably Anthony Edwards, whose early NBA jersey from his fourth career game ignited a bidding war that culminated in a staggering $118,978 sale price. This jersey, adorned with the marks of authenticity from MeiGray/NBA and photomatching, witnessed Edwards making history with his first career block and a commendable 12-point contribution. As Edwards continues to shine on the court, his jersey’s remarkable value only adds to his burgeoning stardom, especially after his remarkable performance in the 2024 playoffs, where he etched his name alongside legends by scoring over 40 points in consecutive games.

Not to be outdone, an Edwards 2020-21 Panini National Treasures Rookie Patch Autograph card with a pristine BGS GEM MINT 9.5 grade and a perfect Beckett 10 for autographs commanded an impressive $85,550 from eager collectors, further solidifying Edwards’ place in the pantheon of basketball elite.

Victor Wembanyama, the rising basketball prodigy, also captivated bidders with his rookie cards. A 2023-24 Panini Prizm Green Shimmer First Off The Line rookie card, one of only five in existence and graded PSA 10, fetched an astounding $113,460, showcasing the fervent interest in his burgeoning career. Another sought-after piece, a rare Gold Shimmer rookie card numbered 7/10, closed at a remarkable $49,410, underscoring Wembanyama’s allure among collectors.

The auction wasn’t just a showcase of contemporary basketball sensations; it also paid homage to timeless icons of the sport. A 1996-97 Kobe Bryant Topps Chrome Refractor rookie card commanded a hefty $92,720, while a 2018 Panini Prizm World Cup Gold Power Prizm Kylian Mbappe rookie card, graded BGS MINT 9, achieved a notable $92,190.

Delving into the nostalgia of college basketball, the sale featured former Duke star Cherokee Parks’ NCAA Championship ring, which fetched an impressive $44,320, offering a glimpse into the rich history of collegiate athletics.

Iconic photographs capturing pivotal moments in the careers of basketball legends Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar also found their way to the auction block, selling for $15,982 and $14,640 respectively, encapsulating the enduring legacy of these sporting icons.

Rounding out the diverse array of offerings was a jersey from Fernando Tatis Jr.’s early MLB days, commemorating his inaugural road game, which drew a final bid of $10,098. The eclectic mix of sports memorabilia on display underscores the universal appeal and abiding passion for collecting items that encapsulate the spirit and history of sports across generations and disciplines.

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Marvin Harrison Jr., the talented football star from Ohio State recently drafted by the Arizona Cardinals, finds himself in a puzzling situation surrounding his NFL rights. As he moves from college football to the big leagues, the ownership of his trading cards and autographs is hanging in the balance. This uncertainty stems from a peculiar tangle between a prior agreement with Fanatics and the unsigned deal with the NFL Players Inc.

Before his stellar final year at Ohio State, Harrison inked a multi-year pact with Fanatics, paving the way for potential merchandising opportunities. However, the transition to the NFL has thrown a spanner in the works, with his future in trading cards and autographs up in the air. According to reports by ESPN, Harrison is still in limbo as he has not yet signed the crucial agreement with NFL Players Inc., an entity that manages the marketing rights of NFL players collectively.

The delay in signing this lucrative agreement is primarily attributed to Harrison’s pursuit of a more economically beneficial deal with the renewing contract at Fanatics. This previous contract encompassed a wide array of merchandising aspects, including autographs, trading cards flaunting his image, and even game-worn apparel. Last season saw Harrison’s inclusion in the exclusive Topps’ Bowman U line, with his precious autograph stickers making their way into these coveted packs.

If a new agreement is reached with Fanatics, it is anticipated that Topps, now under the Fanatics umbrella, would take charge of producing Harrison’s NFL trading cards and sought-after autographs. This move could potentially shut the door on Panini’s trading card packs featuring his autographs, as Fanatics typically hammers out exclusive deals that leave little room for competitors.

This perplexing scenario echoes the experience of another Ohio State luminary, CJ Stroud, who is now a promising quarterback with the Houston Texans. Stroud, too, struck an exclusive deal with Fanatics while also managing to secure a deal with the NFLPA’s marketing division. This unique collaboration permitted Panini to feature Stroud in their illustrious card lines, while only Fanatics/Topps held the golden ticket to his autograph cards upon his NFL foray.

Despite the ongoing contractual quagmire, Harrison remains resolute in staying connected with his devoted fanbase. Through his personal website, he continues to offer a plethora of autographed merchandise, ranging from jerseys to helmets and even footballs. Such direct engagement with fans serves as a beacon of light amidst the fog of uncertainty shrouding his official NFL merchandising status.

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Try and picture a baseball card, the laminated and pocket-sized memorabilia, laden with prettily-printed vital statistics, adorning the faces of your baseball stars, in combination with a piece of the very bat that said baseball icon possibly swung a winning run with. This is not some fervent fan’s daydream, but the brainchild of a hardcore love for the game, arbitrated by memorabilia masters Fanatics/Topps. A liaison of baseball mementoes and equipment, Fanatics/Topps have birthed a new breed of baseball cards that amalgamate bat knobs into their designs.

The method to this madness involves bats being created exclusively for various star players, which carry little emblems of their flagship baseball cards, deeply embedded into the bat knobs. The vision behind this move goes beyond just personalization or adding authenticity to the sporting goods. The bats equipped with these unique features are not just a mere display on game days but utilized for actual matches.

The adventure doesn’t end in the stadium premises. The post-game action is where the real magic unfurls. The bat knobs, now adorned with the imprints of the famous baseball cards, are delicately separated from the bats. The emancipated knobs are then embraced within an exclusive range of 1/1 autograph cards. These cards, with the bat-knob’s seal of history, would be discreetly introduced into select late-year card packs, thereby bestowing upon luck-stricken collectors a chance to clasp a slice of tangible baseball chronicle!

The realm of collectors has always been spellbound by bat knob cards. On that landscape, Fanatics/Topps has conjured a twist within twists. Their pioneering imagination is on brave exhibition in implementing a series of bats designed to ultimately serve as part of a baseball card. The novelty of this approach lifts the usual thrills of card collection a notch higher, sewing creating a unique, direct association between the fans, players and their collectibles. The added realization of a possibility to own a card that was once part of a winning bat adds an irreplaceable charm, laying the groundwork for the inevitable demand amongst fervent fans and collectors.

The Fanatics/Topps has steered the helm from the regular and sailed into unchartered waters with their unique bat knob-equipped baseball cards. This fascinating approach integrates actual game-play bats, transmutes them into collectible memorabilia, and curated within the excitement of an unexpected find in late-year card packs. It is a revolutionary method that ushers in fresh vigour into the domain of card collection. In essence, it humanizes the game, bringing it closer to the heart of the fans and connoisseurs. And yet, it remains to be seen if these bat-borne players’ cards will translate into home-run sales.

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In a move that seamlessly combines modern e-commerce with a dash of the traditional, popular live-streaming platform, Whatnot is giving its lightning-fast auction format a robust new make-over. Known for its adrenaline-pumping auctions that conclude in less than five seconds, the platform is now morphing to accommodate a more leisurely pace. Sellers can now choose to list items for up to seven days, a titanic shift from the fleeting instants that once constrained the auction’s lens. This change has been tailored to better facilitate the sales of single, high-value cards – of both the modern and vintage variety.

But that’s not all. Playing the role of an astute host, the platform now provides sellers the opportunity to pin these elongated auctions within their live shows. A treasure beckoning amidst the thrill of a live event – the high-value items gain pronounced visibility and create a ripe opportunity for engagement with potential buyers. In other words, you can now flap your auctioneer’s gavel more than once for the same item during your broadcast, tagging the item along for the ride through the course of your episode.

By offering more than just a glimpse, the new format facilitates a deeper delve into the bidding process with a hearty dash of interaction. Bidders get the chance to ponder their purchase, unlike Whatnot’s usual quick-fire format that demands hasty choices. It’s a stretch of time that feels luxuriously long, a nod, perhaps, to the traditional auction house, where bidding wars simmer and brew over extended periods.

Yet, don’t be fooled into thinking this is a regression. Whatnot is not abandoning its fast-paced roots but reimagining them. The bids will still fly; the excitement won’t wane; the chat will continue to buzz, but the pace will now welcome a broader scope of participants – both bidders and auctioneers. The twist of this strategic transition is in the balance it strikes. On the one hand, it powers the ever-dynamic, interactive nature of live-streaming. On the other, it gives a nod to the convention of a traditional auction’s courtesy. Marrying the vintage charm with modern digital spryness.

As the narrative unfolds, this broadened format is expected to sincerely attract both serious collectors and curious novices. Especially those keen on acquiring or offloading unique, higher-priced items. It is a move poised to potentially increase the platform’s active user base and engagement levels, thereby holistically catering to the particular needs of that niche of sellers who prefer a leisurely auction tempo. With their innovative extended auction format, Whatnot appears to have adeptly married the old and the new, a lineage that traces back to the dawn of commerce and the edge of tomorrow.

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Sports, news and entertainment history come alive as RMY Auctions unfurls its latest array of historical photographs for its compelling May auction. Bringing together over nine hundred pieces, the event displays unseen glimpses into pivotal moments and personalities from the last century. For the baseball enthusiast, there’s a significant opportunity to own a piece of Major League Baseball history – a 1948 black and white photograph of Satchel Paige and Bob Feller, two sensational craftsmen of the game.

What makes the 7 x 8 ¾” image truly significant is that it was used to craft the most coveted Satchel Paige rookie card. Issued by Leaf in 1949, this card marked Paige’s groundbreaking transition from the Negro Leagues to Major League Baseball with Cleveland. Undeniably, this photograph is a remarkable reminder of a monumental milestone in sports history.

The auction catalog doesn’t stop there. Included is an original Type I photograph of Paige lasting his time with the Kansas City Monarchs, a rare and splendid find that animates the legacy of the legendary pitcher. But the auction’s reach extends beyond the realm of baseball. As part of its collection, a 1910 silver gelatin image of Jim Thorpe at 23, taken by George Grantham Bain, adds another layer of historical depth.

In this treasure trove of the past, other gems shine. One is a 1905 PC782 Rotograph real photo postcard of Jack Chesbro, a superstar in early 20th-century baseball, never introduced in the market before. Plus, a 1934 image of Carl Hubbell prompts nostalgia for his Diamond Stars baseball card from 1933-36.

Moments of triumph adorn this collection as well. There are captivating snapshots of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, like Ruth’s unforgettable inaugural season with the Yankees in 1920, and an electrifying scene from the 1928 World Series. Imagine owning a piece of that excitement!

Contemporary collectors aren’t left behind. You’ll find a 1972 image of Roberto Clemente making his 3,000th career hit, a triumphantly frozen moment in time. A photographic proof of Wilt Chamberlain’s record-setting accomplishment of scoring his 100th point in a single game is also up for grabs. Besides, the catalog includes electric moments captured from Michael Jordan’s peak NBA years by Chicago area photographers.

Adding a touch of quirk to this ensemble are extraordinary items like a picture of Joe DiMaggio in the Yankees’ clubhouse and Ted Williams amusingly riding a zebra. Evidently, RMY Auctions’ collection spans a panoramic view of the 20th century, appealing not just to memorabilia collectors but also catering to avid photography enthusiasts. Currently in progress, the auction invites final bids until May 11. Don’t miss your chance to become part of the ongoing narratives of these legendary moments.

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Buckle up, sports enthusiasts. Fanatics/Topps is charging full speed towards a new era of sporting magnificence and collector delight. With a blueprint to harness the upcoming NBA and NFL licenses acquisition, the company continues to flex its creative muscles, churning out a plethora of sports card editions. Their recent Industry Conference in Atlanta was a carnival of ambitions, laying bare their roadmap for the coming years relevant to basketball, football, UFC, soccer, and Formula 1 collectibles.

The basketball domain is set to witness a rebirth of sorts with the return of the celebrated Topps Chrome edition, the first of its kind since the 2009-10 season. Collectors should stand ready for potential dance of joy as the much-anticipated return is already making waves with the supposed availability of an autographed card from NBA rookie marvel, Victor Wembanyama. Fanatics/Topps is upping the ante with exclusive autograph contracts from glittering stars, including Wembanyama, LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kevin Durant. Savvy collectors will have their hands full with upcoming basketball product lines, encompassing the Midnight Cosmic, Chrome Finest, Motif, Royalty Collection, Collegiate Chrome, and Bowman U Chrome cards.

In the football arena, Fanatics/Topps aims for diversification by orchestrating its products mostly around college themes. This is a savvy strategic manoeuvre keeping the impending NFL licence at bay until 2026. The soon-to-come football releases are set to feature Motif, Composite, Collegiate Chrome, Collegiate Royalty, Bowman U Chrome and Bowman U Best collections, with a predicted launch window in the third quarter of 2024.

Soccer’s magic is also getting intensified in the form of the Champions League Dynasty product, boasting on-card autographs and match-worn gear. In an unprecedented move that will surely bring joy to many, Fanatics/Topps is introducing patch autographs in a women’s Champions League product. ‘The Grail’ inserts, an all-expense-paid trip to the 2024-25 Champions League Final and the exclusive 1/1 MLS Debut Patches will all be making an appearance across six different soccer products.

In terms of UFC, the genteel art of fighting gets a new lease of life with Fanatics/Topps now donning the UFC licensing mantle. UFC fans will be treated to the exuberant return of the Finest series coupled with premium offerings, including Royal, UFC Midnight, Knockout, and Gold Label products.

Lastly, the F1 lineup from Fanatics/Topps is set to get supercharged with introductions like Paddock Pass, resembling the Stadium Club series but with chrome cards. Other releases containing Topps Chrome Finest, Dynasty and Michael Schumacher cut signatures will add to the delights.

Fanatics/Topps, with its eclectic and audacious game plan, reiterates its commitment towards creating a fuller and a more enriching sports card collecting experience. It appears that fans and collectors can certainly look forward to exhilarating times, with a buffet of vibrant sports card releases coming their way.

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Netflix can breathe easy, as can Goldin Auctions and the minds behind “King of Collectibles.” A copyright lawsuit initiated against them has been thrown out by a federal judge. The disgruntled plaintiff, reality TV alumnus Gervase Peterson, saw a bit too much of his 2019 pitch, “The Goldin Boys,” in the Netflix-acquired show.

Peterson’s major gripe revolved around the eerie resemblance that he purportedly perceived between his original concept and the reality show, which just debuted its second season. Having briefly engaged with Peterson, all communication mysteriously dried up around the middle of 2020. Soon after this silence, a production eerily similar to Peterson’s concept reportedly went into the works. Talk about shades of grey!

In the defendants’ corner, their defense focused on the argument that the disputed reality show was merely a reflection of Goldin Auctions’ daily operations and its founder, Ken Goldin’s personal life. They held their ground stating that the reality show embodied generic themes that the Copyright Act does not protect.

Christine O’Hearn, the New Jersey federal district court’s judge, was all aboard with this perspective. Peterson’s claimed ‘protectable elements’ were no more than scènes à faire in the eyes of the law. For those unfamiliar with the phrase, scènes à faire refers to typical scenes or themes that are so common to a genre that they cannot enjoy copyright protection. Judge O’Hearn underscored this point, noting that ordinary day-to-day operations like those shown on “King of Collectibles” are classic reality TV fodder.

And there’s more — Judge O’Hearn pointed out that previous similar cases have established that real-life subjects and standard reality show elements simply don’t cut the copyright mustard. Her dismissal of Peterson’s case sticks a firm pin in the inflated notion that broad, common reality TV themes and concepts can be copyrighted.

In an ironic twist of fate, “King of Collectibles,” the upstart show that supposedly poached Peterson’s “golden goose,” comfortably jumped the legal fence and even landed a prestigious Emmy nomination. Clearly, not all that glitters is Goldin (pun much intended) — especially in the whirlwind world of reality TV, where one man’s pitch can easily become another’s popular series. With this case being judiciously dismissed, perhaps aspiring reality TV creators will think twice before crying wolf — or, in this case, copyright infringement.

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As we step into the bright crisp days of early May 2024, a heartening buzz is reverberating throughout the sports card market. This clamor compliments the anticipated cascade of card releases spanning a copious range of sports like baseball, basketball, golf, and motor racing. Let’s roll out the table and meticulously break down the who’s who and the what’s what of this scintillating spectacle.

On the first stroke of May, the online-exclusive 2024 Topps Heritage Mini Baseball series comes into play. Shaped like a distant echo of the rare 1975 mini-set, this series returns with a knockout 500-card base set in its arsenal. The Hobby variant promises 24 packs per box, each flaunting nine cards and offering up an autograph or relic, and promises to sweeten the deal with a box loader. The headliner act? This set features a historic Juan Soto’s first-ever autograph in a Yankees uniform.

In icy synchronicity with the baseball series, we get the 2022-23 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection Hockey/ This hockey card collecting staple skates back onto the scene, with each box containing a single pack of four cards. This special package ensures an autograph, one high-end memorabilia or autograph memorabilia card, an extra memorabilia card, and a base or rookie card. All autographs bear the undisputable authenticity of being on-card. Your online shopping cart is waiting to add a box for approximately $160.

May also brings forward roaring rookie cards of Victor Wembanyama with the 2023-24 Panini Recon Basketball release. Each Hobby box unwraps ten packs that contain six cards each, featuring two autographs and 20 inserts.

Entering the second week of May, we get the 2024 Bowman Baseball. Since its heart-stopping revival in 1989, Bowman remains a flagship brand, now spreading its wings across a multitude of sports. The 2024 edition delivers Hobby boxes tied with a glossy ribbon of one Chrome autographed card while Jumbo boxes wrap up three autographs. Retail boxes offer an exclusive green parallel.

Perfectly timed during the NBA playoffs, the 2023-24 Panini Crown Royale Basketball graces the scenario. Each box is a parcel of revelry, with eight cards including one autograph, one memorabilia card, and two inserts or parallels. The primary showstopper is unarguably the Tim Duncan autographs, offering up boxes priced around $500.

Concurrently, the 2024 Upper Deck SP Game Used Golf and the 2023 Panini National Treasures Racing collections make their debuts, offering up a sumptuous spread for golf and racing aficionados.

As we approach the middle of May, the 2023-24 Panini Select Basketball enters the fray. An essential in Panini’s basketball lineup, Select boxes contain a dozen packs. Each pack typifies a treasure trove: five cards featuring three autographs or memorabilia cards. This release distinguishes itself with its Prizm parallels and rookie cards heavy with memorabilia.

For football enthusiasts, watch out for the looming 2023/24 Donruss Soccer series. Although the details about box configurations and special features are still under wraps, the anticipation is fierce.

Be it the traditional sports enthusiasts who prefer baseball and basketball or those seeking a little distinctive assortment like golf and motor racing, the early May card release schedule is a labyrinth of choices. Whether you are planning to diversify or enrich your collection, these exhilarating upcoming releases are certain to compel any collector’s interest.

And so fares the first half of May 2024, swelling with dazzling sports card releases. Stand-out highlights such as Juan Soto’s debut Yankees autograph in the Topps Heritage Mini set and Tim Duncan’s sought-after autographs in the Panini Crown Royale are sure to animate collectors. Each day spirals into an adventure that is eager to unfurl exciting revelations with each flip of a card pack.

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Card collectors rejoice! Fanatics and Topps have brought in an undeniable pinch hitter to break the long-standing speculation about their card distribution. They’ve gotten the renowned audit firm, KPMG, to test the waters — or rather, tear open the packs — in a bid to shed light on the integrity of their trading card distribution. Transparency in pack busting never looked so good.

During the Industry Conference in good ol’ Atlanta, Mike Mahan, CEO of Fanatics Collectibles, stepped up to the plate and announced that KPMG had given their seal of approval on the company’s procedures. Fanatics and Topps are clear of any allegations — high-value cards aren’t intentionally earmarked for specific customers.

Rumors have swirled like a perfect spin in the collector community with some speculating about large-volume customers or prominent card breakers being favored by Fanatics/Topps. Fueling the rumors, videos on social media showing breakers pulling out multiple high-value cards didn’t help dispel concerns about the randomness. But fear not, card enthusiasts! Greg Abovsky, CFO of Fanatics Collectibles, was quick to add a reality check to the debate. Abovsky pointed out that it’s a simple game of probability; high-value pulls are more likely for major breakers due to the large volume they handle.

The auditors from KPMG paid a visit to the Texas printing facility. Peering behind the scenes, they carried out a comprehensive check of the collation process and poured over the production logs. No stone was left unturned or rather no card was left unscrutinized. Confirming the randomness of card distribution, KPMG’s findings lend weight to Topps’ claims. Fanatics have taken a step that is a first in many ways in this industry, aiming to bust myths and confirm the integrity of their distribution process to bolster the trust of the collector community.

Addressing another long-standing suspicion, Abovsky tackled the rumor head-on. He clarified that Fanatics have never specifically stocked boxes with valuable cards for promotional reasons. It seems Fanatics is steadfast in their commitment to shake off rumors and illuminate their practices with unwavering transparency.

In an invigorating display of their dedication to fairness, Fanatics are keen on making the randomness audit a yearly tradition. Committing to annual checks, they’re setting a new standard in the world of trading cards. Anyone suspecting trickery might have to rethink and shuffle their deck of doubts.

In an industry woven with speculation and suspicions, Fanatics’ move to engage KPMG for an independent audit is a game changer. A guarantee of transparency and fairness in card distribution might just be the trump card they need to keep the trust of their collector community. It’s a new tale in this deck of cards, where a bid for transparency could turn up trumps for this pack-busting industry.

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