Fanatics/Topps is cranking up the heat as they prepare to acquire the NBA license next year and the NFL rights in two years, hinting at a bullish strategy to beef up their sports card production. The company recently laid out plans for a diverse stream of card releases at their Industry Conference in Atlanta, showcasing a proactive strategy to broaden their product landscape across various sports including basketball, football, UFC, soccer, and F1.
Few developments sound as electrifying as the planned return of Topps Chrome to the basketball court, a highlight event slated for a summer release. This will be the first time since the 2009-10 season that Topps Chrome enters the basketball ring, already generating a buzz among enthusiasts. The company is fanning the flames of anticipation with a promoted autographed card from the NBA rookie sensation, Victor Wembanyama. They have also locked down exclusive autograph contracts with bigwigs like LeBron James, (who recently disassociated from Upper Deck), Shaquille O’Neal, and Kevin Durant. Other exciting upcoming basketball lines include the Midnight Cosmic, Chrome Finest, the high-end release Motif, Royalty Collection, Collegiate Chrome, and Bowman U Chrome.
Meanwhile, Topps is set to fortify its Football card offerings, leaning heavily on college themes given that the NFL license will only kick in 2026. The football card lineup includes releases such as Motif, Composite (akin to Panini’s Chronicles series), Collegiate Chrome, Collegiate Royalty, Bowman U Chrome, and Bowman U Best with a third-quarter 2024 release date.
Not falling behind in the race, the soccer card realm is receiving a significant uplift with the arrival of the Champions League Dynasty product, featuring all on-card autographs and match-worn gear. In a refreshing move, Topps plans to roll out a women’s Champions League product with patch autographs. Card collectors will also witness the launch of “The Grail” inserts across six different soccer products, offering a grand prize of an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2024-25 Champions League Final.
Topps, having the UFC license now tucked into its bag, is set to reintroduce the Finest series while adding several premium products like the Royal, UFC Midnight, Knockout, and Gold Label. In the F1 circuit, the lineup continues to expand with the introduction of Paddock Pass — Topps’ nod to the Stadium Club series, but with Chrome cards, and other riveting releases such as Topps Chrome Finest and Dynasty.
This multifaceted and daring lineup from Fanatics/Topps reflects the company’s unwavering dedication to expanding its scope, promising sport card collectors an enhanced and fulfilling experience in the future. With their aggressive product rollout straddling various sports, the company is well-positioned for substantial engagement and expansion in the thriving trading card market.
