Donruss Signs Willie Mays to a 10-year Exclusive Contract for Autographs and Memorabilia
Donruss Trading Cards announced the beginning of a 10-year partnership with one of baseball’s
living legends. Willie Mays and Donruss have signed a 10-year, exclusive contract for autograph
and memorabilia cards of the "Say Hey" Kid.
"It’s hard to describe the experience of sitting in Willie Mays’ kitchen, several times over
the last year, talking baseball and the hobby and just getting to know each other," said
Donruss/Playoff president Bill Dully. "In the end, we both new that a partnership between us
was a great way to carry on Willie’s baseball heritage."
This is not the first time that Mays and Donruss have worked together. Mays had an autograph agreement
with Donruss in 2001 which included the only certified autograph card with both Mays and Barry Bonds –
the 2001 Donruss Elite Passing the Torch #PT18. Grant Sandground of Beckett Baseball says "This is
hands down one of the greatest cards produced in the modern era ..."
"We’re looking forward to getting Willie involved in our products right away." said Donruss
director of product development Rob Springs. "His autograph and game-used memorabilia cards will
appear in most 2005 products, starting with Donruss Classics, releasing March 16." The majority
of Mays’ autographs will be the traditional signature that is so recognizable in the hobby. However,
Mays will also be involved in choosing certain cards or sets where he will add notations to his autograph
that recognize significant and/or record-setting events from his career.
But autographs and memorabilia are just the beginning for Mays and Donruss. Mays will work with the Donruss
product development team in many areas including set makeup, player selection and his own appearances in
products. The partnership also allows Donruss to use Mays’ likeness on packaging, which the company will
do, with his first appearance on 2005 Donruss World Series, scheduled for release October 10.
Source: Donruss Playoff, L.P.
Date: December 17, 2004
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