Star Wars has made its mark in sports merchandising (gallery)

We all know that Friday is a big day in the film world with the arrival of the next Star Wars film, The Last Jedi.

It’s a behemoth we’ve seen teased on TV and online for months — and even longer in the toy aisles — and now that we’re days away from its release there’s even more to potentially be seen and heard about the latest chapter in the legendary franchise. But, like spoilers, I’ve tried my best to avoid most of it — all of the merchandising and marketing that can include everything from food to car commercials and then all that stuff in the toy aisle.

So, maybe it’s just my situation — it’s a black hole of sorts I don’t want sucked into because there’s just too much I’d potentially want but ultimately don’t really need — but when I saw that there was a massive amount of sports-related Star Wars items in one online location I didn’t expect?

Well, that’s why we’re here …

Buzz Break: 2017 Panini Contenders Draft Picks football (blaster box)

From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there’s a box you’d want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The box: 2017 Panini Contenders Draft Picks football cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby) 

Packs per box: 7
Cards per pack: 6
Cards in this box: 42
Base set completion: 
26 of 100 (26 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notable players found on base cards – Jerry Rice, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, John Elway, Tom Brady, Terry Bradshaw, Andrew Luck, Dan Marino, Fran Tarkenton, Jameis Winston, Adrian Peterson, Dez Bryant, Brian Bosworth, Khalil Mack, Von Miller

Buzz Break: 2017 Panini Contenders Draft Picks basketball (blaster box)

From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and break down the results here. Like this and want to see more — or maybe there’s a box you’d want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The box: 2017 Panini Contenders Draft Picks (blaster)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Packs per box: 7
Cards per pack: 6
Cards in this box: 42
Base set completion: 
27 of 100* (27 percent)
Duplicates: 2

Notable base cards – Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis (2), Carmelo Anthony, Magic Johnson, Scottie Pippen, Buddy Hield, Kris Dunn, LeBron James, Karl-Anthony Towns, James Harden, Damian Lillard, Dwyane Wade, Kawhi Leonard, Kristaps Porzingis, Russell Westbrook, Larry Bird

First Buzz: 2017 Panini Flawless college football cards

What: 2017 Panini Flawless college football cards
Arrives: Nov. 15
Box basics: Two gems, six autographs and two more auto or memorabilia cards per box (two boxes per case)
Order: Single briefcases here & two-box cases here

What’s buzz-worthy: Flawless takes to the college gridiron with legends of the past and stars of the recent present with a celebration of Saturday action.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

Buzz Break: 2017 Panini Contenders Draft Picks basketball (blaster box)

From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and break down the results here. Like this and want to see more — or maybe there’s a box you’d want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The box: 2017 Panini Contenders Draft Picks basketball (blaster)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 7
Cards per pack: 6
Cards in this box: 42
Base set completion: 
26 of 100* (26 percent)
Duplicates: 2

Notable base cards – Magic Johnson, Malcolm Brogdon, Kobe Bryant, Kawhi Leonard, John Wall, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Dirk Nowitzki, Damian Lillard, Buddy Hield (two versions), Anthony Davis, Andrew Wiggins, Paul George, Larry Bird, Kristaps Porzingis, Klay Thompson

Buzz 12 in 12: Busting a 2016-17 Panini Black Gold Collegiate basketball box (Hour 1)

Do you like Buzz Breaks? Today’s your day then as we launch 12 in 12 — a series of a dozen breaks of past wax boxes and wax packs in a dozen hours. We’ll post one every hour on the hour all day long today … this is Hour 1.

The box: 2016-17 Panini Black Gold Collegiate basketball box
The cost: Click here

What’s inside this one? Keep reading …

First Buzz: 2017 Panini Immaculate Collection Collegiate football cards

What: 2017 Panini Immaculate Collection Collegiate football cards
Arrives: July 26
Box basics: Five autographs or memorabilia cards per six-card box (five boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here to view

What’s buzz-worthy: The college gridiron once again gets its own Immaculate Collection release with the stars of the past (and recent past) in this school-focused high-end brand.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

First Buzz: 2017 Panini Contenders Draft Picks football cards

What: 2017 Panini Contenders Draft Picks football cards
Arrives: April 12
Box basics: Six autographs per six-pack box (12 boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here to view

What’s buzz-worthy: The hobby details are in for this brand after our early word on retail and they show a new format with 18-card packs that include an autograph in every single one of them.

Keep reading for more info as well as some early images.

Alabama & Clemson headline Panini’s College Football Playoff sets

We’re a week away from a rematch between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff — and we’re less than a week away from the newest college football cards from Panini America.

No, you haven’t missed any First Buzz previews — we’re talking about promo cards for those attending the big game.

First Buzz: 2015 Panini National Treasures Multi-sport college cards

What: 2015 Panini National Treasures Multi-sport college cards
Arrives: Jan. 8, 2016
Hobby box basics: Six autograph or memorabilia cards with one being a booklet plus two base/parallel cards. Four boxes per case.

What’s buzz-worthy: National Treasures arrives for the college ranks “with something for every college fan,” according to the company. More than 500 players will appear in this hit-driven high-end brand all in their college colors. There will be a mix of players from the past and present from baseball, football, basketball and notable college coaches, too.

See a gallery and more … below.