Hold your breath as the sports card battlefield gets a fantastic shake-up with Fanatics/Topps’ imminent procedural card release. The company’s anticipated acquisition of NBA license in a year and the NFL rights in two years is just the tip of an exhilarating iceberg. Giving a dynamic snapshot of their future endeavors at a recent Industry Conference in Atlanta, they paved the plan for an exciting array of card releases across different sports arena like basketball, football, UFC, soccer, and F1.
First off the charts is the triumphant return of Topps Chrome to the basketball court. Its release this summer marks the end of a hiatus since the 2009-10 season. But, who said the party starts only from then? The fever pitch excitement can already be felt with a preview of the autographed card by NBA rookie superstar, Victor Wembanyama. This is only a cherry on top as exclusive autograph contracts have been inked with industry stalwarts such as Wembanyama, LeBron James (fresh from his break-up with Upper Deck), Shaquille O’Neal, and Kevin Durant. Here’s a sneak peek of the upcoming basketball product lines:
• Midnight Cosmic
• Chrome Finest
• Motif (A high-end release)
• Royalty Collection
• Collegiate Chrome
• Bowman U Chrome
However, it should be noted that Topps will only gain access to NBA logos or team nicknames after the official license transfer from Panini America next year.
Shifting the spotlight to football, it’s clear that Fanatics/Topps is not pulling any punches in enhancing the college themes, despite the NFL license only set to kickstart in 2026. Look out for releases such as:
• Motif
• Composite (an equivalent to Panini’s Chronicles series)
• Collegiate Chrome
• Collegiate Royalty
• Bowman U Chrome
• Bowman U Best
These products are expected to grace the collector’s market in the third quarter of 2024.
On the soccer front, Topps skilfully knits the Champions League Dynasty product, featuring all on-card autographs and match-worn gear. Additionally, a testament to their dynamic approach is the introduction of “The Grail” inserts across six different soccer products, with a grand prize, the likes of an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2024-25 Champions League Final.
The UFC enthusiasts aren’t left behind as Topps, now owning the UFC license, plans to reintroduce the Finest series and additional premium products such as Royal, UFC Midnight, Knockout, and Gold Label.
The F1 engine is also revving up with the introduction of Paddock Pass and other releases such as Topps Chrome Finest and Dynasty.
This diverse and ambitious lineup by Fanatics/Topps signals the dawn of an exciting era for the sports card collecting experience. With such strategic moves, the company is clearly delineating its motive to broaden its reach and enhance the experience for collectors. Sports card collecting may have just found its new poster child in Fanatics/Topps. Brace yourselves for all that’s to come in this thrilling roller coaster ride of sports memorabilia!
