Carlsbad, CA, Monday September 21, 2009
When Upper Deck released 2003-04 NBA
Exquisite, the trading card market was forever changed. Never before had
collectors seen innovative cards packing this much quality which is one of
the reasons why a single pack of that product routinely sells for more than
$3,000. Today Upper Deck has announced that it will be releasing the
company's final NBA Exquisite set ever later this month. Upper Deck's
2009-10 NBA Exquisite set will arrive in stores on September 30.



In addition to having Exquisite rookie cards from some of the top 2009-10
NBA draftees, some great retrospective inserts have been created paying
homage to the heritage of the Exquisite brand. In 2009-10 Exquisite, Upper
Deck honors the most valuable modern day rookie card: 2003-04 LeBron James
Exquisite RC (#78). Upper Deck is bringing back that particular card design
as a limited insert with some of the sporting world's biggest names like
Michael Jordan, Julius Erving, John Elway, Barry Sanders, Sidney Crosby, and
Wayne Gretzky. The ever popular "Triple Logoman Patch" cards and "Dual
Logoman Autographed Patch" cards return as well making this Exquisite
release a most memorable one.



"It's awesome to be able to provide collectors with a final exquisite
experience in basketball, and this will represent the most limited run we've
ever done because of the short amount of time we had to bring it to market,"
said Brandon Miller, Upper Deck's basketball brand manager. "There are some
cards we included that will have everyone talking starting with the Ricky
Rubio autograph rookie cards. This will be the only chance collectors have
to pull a Rubio Exquisite rookie so that should be big."



"Also, we have Upper Deck spokesman Tiger Woods signing dual patch cards
with Michael Jordan as well as LeBron James. On one of the Tiger and LeBron
cards, they actually inscribed their birthdates on the card as they share
the same birthday [Dec. 30]."



Each five-card pack of 2009-10 NBA Exquisite carries a suggested retail
price of $650 per pack. Given the limited nature of the product and the fact
that it will be the last NBA Exquisite release for the foreseeable future,
prices may go higher than the suggested retail price.



About Upper Deck
Upper Deck is the leading sports and entertainment trading card and
collectibles company. For more information on Upper Deck and its products
please visit www.upperdeck.com.