The stage is set. Fanatics/Topps is cranking the wheel of innovation, preparing a sweeping rollout of sports card offerings that will span multiple games – basketball, football, UFC, soccer, and F1. The company, on the verge of securing the NBA license in a year and NFL rights in two years, is showing no signs of pumping the brakes on its sports card production. The ambitious blueprint for this rollout was charted out during their recent Industry Conference in Atlanta, displaying an assertive strategy to amplify their offerings and inject an adrenaline rush into the realm of sports card collecting.
Basketball fans – brace yourselves! Topps Chrome, absent from the hoops universe since the 2009-10 season, is speeding down the comeback trail, poised for a summer release. The anticipation has shifted into overdrive, thanks mainly to the tease of an autographed card from NBA rookie fireball Victor Wembanyama. But that’s not the only ace up Topps’ sleeve – exclusive autograph contracts have been signed with a star-studded roster which includes names such as LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kevin Durant. As part of its avant-garde approach, Topps has conjured up a slew of interesting basketball product lines, including the high-end Motif and Royalty Collection.
In the realm of football, Topps is drawing up plays primarily around college themes. Given that the NFL license won’t come into effect until 2026, the move seems strategic. Expect to see football releases including collegiate-centric lines like Motif, Collegiate Chrome, and Collegiate Royalty, predicted to debut in the third quarter of 2024.
No sports card collection can be complete without the global frenzy that soccer brings. Topps is bolstering its soccer card scene with the introduction of the Champions League Dynasty product, showcasing all on-card autographs and coveted match-worn gear. Stay tuned for the first-ever women’s Champions League product packed with patch autographs, and “The Grail” inserts in six different soccer products with a grand prize, a dream come true for every soccer fan – an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2024-25 Champions League Final.
Riding alongside these releases, is the news of Topps now having the UFC license. This paved the path for the reintroduction of the Finest series and the birth of several premium products like Royal and Knockout.
With the F1 fans in mind, Topps will continue to blaze the trail by introducing Paddock Pass and other releases. This includes the all-time favorite Topps Chrome Finest, and Dynasty with unique Michael Schumacher cut signatures and booklet cards.
Fanatics/Topps’ resilient approach, demonstrated by such a varied and audacious lineup, mirrors their commitment to broadening their sphere in the trading card market, ensuring that times ahead for collectors will be nothing short of thrilling. In the end, it seems we’re all set for the sports card revolution that Fanatics/Topps is spearheading, as they look to redefine the way we collect, trade, and cherish these miniature memorabilia of our favorite sports icons.
