Leaf Trading Cards is set to rejuvenate the Press Pass brand, introducing new trading card lines starting with a product featuring promising high school quarterback JuJu Lewis.
Leaf Trading Cards has officially acquired the Press Pass brand, marking a significant development in the trading card industry. Press Pass, established in 1992 and renowned for its innovative approach to memorabilia cards, ceased its operations in early 2015. The brand was well-known for its NASCAR sets and NFL Draft products, including the last releases in 2014.
With an eye towards innovation and tradition, Leaf Trading Cards is breathing new life into the Press Pass brand. The relaunch is spearheaded by a football trading card box that highlights JuJu Lewis, a high school junior and a top quarterback prospect committed to USC for the class of 2025, showcasing Leaf’s commitment to spotlighting emerging talent in sports.
Kevin O’Neil, current CEO of Leaf and former Director of Sales at Press Pass, brings a unique perspective to this venture, having been part of Press Pass during its influential years. Under his leadership, Leaf plans to release standalone Press Pass-branded products, reinvigorating the brand with modern collections that pay homage to its storied past.
Press Pass is credited with pioneering the memorabilia card segment in the trading card industry. Notably, its 1996 NASCAR release featured race-used tires, setting a precedent for the integration of authentic memorabilia into cards. This innovation continued with the introduction of race-used sheet metal cards and the first game-used jersey basketball cards in a draft product that highlighted future NBA stars, including Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson.
The acquisition and relaunch of the Press Pass brand by Leaf Trading Cards represent a strategic expansion of Leaf’s product offerings, aiming to merge nostalgia with contemporary sports memorabilia. This move promises to introduce a new generation of collectors to the Press Pass legacy while continuing to innovate within the trading card market.