Upper Deck shuffles top management position

Posted Jun 1, 2010 by Bob D'Angelo

Updated Jun 1, 2010 at 06:28 PM

Upper Deck has shuffled its management hierarchy a bit, naming Paul C. Meyer as its president on Tuesday.

Meyer was president, CEO and secretary of Shuffle Master, Inc., from 2003 to 2008. That company supplies the gaming industry with automatic card shufflers and proprietary table games.

Meyer has an extensive background in electronic video and gaming products. How that experience helps him at UD remains to be seen.

He stepped down from his position at Shuffle Master on Oct. 31, 2008. He also has worked for Coleco, Virgin Interactive Entertainment, PlayNet Technologies and Viacom New Media.

Meyer grew up in Hicksville, N.Y., and earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from C.W. Post College. A lifelong Yankees’ fan, his favorite collectible is an autographed Derek Jeter jersey.

UD’s new president takes over during a turbulent time at the Carlsbad, Calif., sports card company. Upper Deck was unable to renew its football card license with NFL Properties for the 2010 NFL season.

Upper Deck already lost its baseball card license, which was awarded to Topps. Panini pulled down the basketball card licensing, and now will share hockey card licensing with Upper Deck.

UD still has an exclusive deal with the Collegiate Licensing Company.

UD’s woes were not limited to product issues. In March, Upper Deck Company and Major League Baseball settled a lawsuit that had been filed in federal court on Feb. 1. That suit sought unspecified damages against Upper Deck for trademark infringement.

So, Upper Deck is much more limited in scope as far as product goes, a situation Meyer understands.
In a release issued by Upper Deck, Meyer targeted the economy and competition as major areas of concern.