The Panini America Quality Control Gallery: 2014 Contenders Football Hobby (114 Pics)
The week many collectors have waited all year for has arrived. It’s Contenders Football release week, something of a national collecting holiday for a lot of folks. Beginning Thursday in hobby shops across North America, hobbyists will celebrate the arrival of Panini America’s 2014 Contenders Football with virtually unparalleled box-busting, wrapper-ripping excitement.
This year’s edition of the venerable hobby heavyweight delivers five autographs per box — many on Contenders’ fabled Rookie Tickets that first ushered in the Autographed Rookie Card Era way back in 1998 — and a bevy of calling-card staples that have helped the brand ascend to the top of the football-card mountain and stay there.
Over the recent holiday break, the Panini America Football Product Development Team put the finishing touches on packing out and Quality Controlling the juggernaut just before the product began shipping to hobby shops. The Quality Control Gallery that follows features just some of the cards that surfaced during the process.
Enjoy this extended preview of the product and stay tuned to The Knight’s Lance for continued coverage of 2014 Contenders Football.
The Knight's Lance 
Looks NICE!!! One of my favorite releases each year. Any idea if Davante Adams is a redemption, on-card or sticker auto? Thanks!
Go Pack Go!!!
I like it..been waiting for Contenders. Let’s get that checklist out please!
The checklist has been posted to the paniniamerica.net site. We will post an Excel spreadsheet here on the blog in conjunction with the Panini Unwrapped episode.
I cant wait!!! Love it love it love it!!!
Have the Target only 49.99 boxes released yet?
I haven’t scene any yet
How come there isn’t any Tony Romo MVP contender
Or… Aaron Rodgers?!
Way to end the gallery with a bang, 2 sweet Colts autos! Thanks Tracy!
Contenders has received a modest face-lift, I see!
I like the look of the cards, the rookie cards are clean and bold, and the layout and rolling font used in the championship Ticket cards is a really nifty change.
Lastly, the Ray Berry “50 Years of Canton” card. I haven’t had time to examine the checklist, but if the Berry “50 years…” Is part of a larger set? Then Panini will have managed to do something quite rare; improve a product already considered amongst the best in the Hobby.
Nuff’ Said.
Really great looking this year, thanks for sharing