Fanatics/Topps, a top player in the sports card manufacturing sector, is not showing any signs of slowing down even as it prepares to acquire the NBA license in a year and NFL rights in two years. Their upcoming slew of sports card releases was elaborately discussed at their recent Industry Conference in Atlanta. The gathering laid bare their proactive strategy that aims at enhancing their offerings across various sports: basketball, football, UFC, soccer, and F1.
Basketball enthusiasts have a lot to celebrate with the impending return of Topps Chrome to basketball. Scheduled for release this summer, this would be the first time since the 2009-10 season. Stirring up the excitement pot, an autographed card from NBA rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama has been promoted. Other holy grails for card collectors include exclusive autograph contracts secured with Lebron James (having recently cut ties with Upper Deck), Shaquille O’Neal, and Kevin Durant. However, it’s worth noting that until the formal license transfer from Panini America next year, Topps will not have access to NBA logos or team nicknames.
As for football, Topps is innovating primarily around college themes as the NFL license commencement is slated for 2026. Products expected to roll out from the third quarter of 2024 includes series themed on Motif, Composite (in line with Panini’s Chronicles series), Collegiate Chrome and Royalty, and Bowman U Chrome.
The soccer card aficionados are not to be left behind as the stage is set for the introduction of the Champions League Dynasty product. With the onus on authenticity, it will feature all on-card autographs and match-worn gear. In an exciting addition, a women’s Champions League product with patch autographs is being launched. The soccer card scene will also witness ‘The Grail’ inserts across six different soccer products, offering a grand prize of an all-expense-paid trip to the 2024-25 Champions League Final. Treasured 1/1 MLS Debut Patches will find spot in special collections like Renaissance, Finest, and Chrome.
The UFC license acquisition has led to a comeback of the Finest series by Topps while making room for additional premium product releases: Royal, UFC Midnight, Knockout, and Gold Label. The F1 lineup will see expansion with Paddock Pass (akin to the Stadium Club series but with chrome cards) and others releases, such as Topps Chrome Finest and Dynasty, which will feature unique attractions like booklet cards and Michael Schumacher cut signatures.
What Fanatics/Topps is showcasing, with its vast and enterprising lineup of releases, is a strong promise and commitment. They plan to broaden their reach and enrich the sports card collecting experience, marking an interesting road ahead for collectors. Fanatics/Topps’ intent to roll significant releases across different sports – basketball, football, UFC, soccer, and F1 – is a testament to their preparation for a robust rollout and positions them for expanded patronage and growth within the trading card market.
