Panini Peek: 2010-11 Elite Black Box

The Question · 07-25-2011, 01:00 PM

The newest NBA release from the folks at Panini America promises to create*a high bar for expectations at the mere mention of a name that*needs no introduction among hardcore collectors: 2010-11 Elite Black Box Basketball.

It’s a name rich with high-end connotations of*super-premium content for a product filled with*it.

“We realize that by naming this product ‘Black Box’ we’re setting collector expectations really high as that name carries the biggest of big-ticket connotations with collectors,” says Panini America NBA Brand Manager David Porter. “But based on the incredible content that we’ve injected into Black Box, I’m certain this is a product that will not just meet those expectations, but surpass them. From five-autograph Champions*cards to the first ever Panini America basketball booklet cards to the hoops introduction of the popular Crusade insert, this is a truly special debut. We spent a great deal of time developing Black Box and we’re really excited about it.”

Due out August 31, every eight-card pack of Black Box will deliver three autographed cards, two memorabilia cards and two inserts.*All autograph and memorabilia cards will be numbered to 149 or less and every insert in the product will be numbered to 99 or less.

Additional highlights:

Booklet Cards numbered to 25 or less
Champions five-autograph cards featuring the 1969 Boston Celtics and 1980s Los Angeles Lakers teams numbered to 10
A 10-card Thunderstruck insert (honoring the Oklahoma City Thunder’s biggest superstar) numbered to 10 and signed on-card
Elite Series Signatures featuring trapped autographs of the NBA’s finest players,*numbered to 49 or less
The history-making*hoops debut of the popular Crusade insert, with on-card autograph, memorabilia and autographed memorabilia versions numbered to 149 or less*
The Crusade, Private Signings, Thunderstruck, Black & Blue, Flag Patches and USA Basketball Patches*inserts will be completely signed on-card

“We understand that the content has to be there — and it will be,” Porter notes. “There is game-worn memorabilia in this set from the greatest legends of all time. There are*triple autograph cards from the original Dream Team. There’s a Thunderstruck autographed insert in which every card is signed on-card.*But of all the great content*in here, I’m most excited about the Booklet Cards and the designs. They’re truly spectacular. This is definitely high-end and it absolutely lives up to the Black Box name.”

Stay tuned to The Knight’s Lance for continued updates on 2010-11 Elite Black Box Basketball.