Running List of Fanatics Screw Ups

[seanbros55]

In light of the latest PR nightmare from Topps/Fanatics, the Skenes 1/1 Debut Patch scandal, I thought it'd be fun to have a running list of all the major debacles/fiascos/scams/outright failures that have plagued Fanatics since it was announced that they were acquiring Topps in Janaury of 2022.

This should be fun...

Did I miss anything?

I can't even include Fanatics Live funnelling loaded boxes to breakers, becuase, well...you know, unprovable and stuff. /eyeroll

*2021 Bowman's Best numbering error RC/Prospect Card controversy
*2022 Chrome Extended Base Short Prints not getting packed out
*2022 Chrome Update product-wide horrific QC
*2022 Definitive Arozarena/Meadows forgeries
*2021/2022 Bowman Heritage release delay
*2023 Topps Series 1 missing Hidden Gems
*2023 Topps Chrome stolen/backdoored autographs
*2023 Bowman Chrome multiple 1/1 Superfractors getting packed out
*2023 Bowman's Best unceremoniously eliminating fan-favorite Atomic parallels
*2023 Bowman Draft dfwcardshark backdooring dozens of Superfractors
*2023 Sterling Rubin/Antoine Griezmann pulling Jackie Robinson 1/1 and Mike Trout 1/1
*2024 Series 1 "First cards" were missing the front stamp
*2024 Chrome Update Paul Skenes 1/1 Debut Patch gimmickry
*2025 Series 1 unceremoniously eliminating fan-favorites Black, Pink, Baby Blue Parallels
*2025 Series 1 increasing the total number of parallels for each base card to over 50 (per Beckett)

[whitmm]

21 Bowman's Best was released before Fanatics bought Topps.

[seanbros55]

21 Bowman's Best was released before Fanatics bought Topps.

Yes, but after it was announced that Topps was losing its MLB license...to Fanatics.

[ScooterD]

Pretty sure that the first wave (at least) of 2023 Topps series one did not include the Hidden Gem inserts

[onenineeightsix]

Do people realize that all Fanatics does is distribute? They don’t design, set checklists, or package.

[whitmm]

Yes, but after it was announced that Topps was losing its MLB license...to Fanatics.

Not sure how that is a Fanatics screw up, but whatever.

The set was designed, printed, and released before the announcement.

[whitmm]

Do people realize that all Fanatics does is distribute? They don’t design, set checklists, or package.

A lot of people don't know/choose to ignore that when Fanatics purchased Topps, they literally left all of the old Topps management in place and let them continue to operate as if it nothing changed.

[NYRE2PECT]

22 Bowman Heritage going into the Hudson?

[KhalDrogo]

You forgot hiring Josh Loober.

[AwesomeBrian]

We just talking cards? The MLB jersey fiasco could definitely be a part of the list

[seanbros55]

We just talking cards? The MLB jersey fiasco could definitely be a part of the list

Just sticking to Topps mishandling (of just about every significant release) since the takeover, but the uniform thing cannot and must not ever be forgotten.

(Side Note - just saw a post on Bleacher Report via x on the Mets new blue alternate jerseys, and they look like cheapazz stadium giveaways, so expect more of the same from the Fanatics/Nike "authentics" this year...)

[TBTC Baseball]

2024 Series 1 - "First cards" were missing the front stamp.

[rfgilles]

Killling the Flagship Black parallels.

[Bcr]

Killling the Flagship Black parallels.

That was intentional. I would add removing atomics from bowman's best if that's the case.

[mfw13]

A lot of people don't know/choose to ignore that when Fanatics purchased Topps, they literally left all of the old Topps management in place and let them continue to operate as if it nothing changed.

Nevertheless, Topps is owned by Fanatics....so at the end of the day, Fanatics' management is responsible for Topps' screw-ups.

[mfw13]

There aren't really "screw-ups" per se, but I would put the inability to get the release schedule back on track at the top of the list.

Having 2022 products release in 2023 was understandable due to the pandemic....having 2024 products releasing during the summer of 2025 isn't.

[rfgilles]

22 Bowman Heritage going into the Hudson?

They were eventually released.

[NHRonin]

I fail to see why the Skenes debut patch is a screw up. Mad you didn’t pull it?

[seanbros55]

They were eventually released.

On March 29th, 2023 - along with 2021 Bowman Heritage on the same date.

Why are you such a blatant apologist for Topps/FanFan in every thread you post in?

What's your angle?

[OhioLawyerF5]

I'm interested to hear how this Skenes case is a PR nightmare. If you leave the blowout/twitter bubble, major news outlets are reporting this as a heartwarming story and the "scandal" is non-existent in the general public. The card will sell for a ton, the buyers don't give a crap where the card came from, they just want it. Once it sells, the news will report the huge sale and reiterate the heartwarming story, and Fanatics will soak it in. The only people ranting will be here, and no one will care. This is the opposite of a PR nightmare.

[seanbros55]

I fail to see why the Skenes debut patch is a screw up. Mad you didn’t pull it?

I couldnt have pulled it, since I've boycotted buying wax or anything direct from Fanatics since mid-2023.

Are you implying that you think they've handled the announcement of this card being pulled with 100% honesty? Because I do not.

[seanbros55]

I'm interested to hear how this Skenes case is a PR nightmare. If you leave the blowout/twitter bubble, major news outlets are reporting this as a heartwarming story and the "scandal" is non-existent in the general public. The card will sell for a ton, the buyers don't give a crap where the card came from, they just want it. Once it sells, the news will report the huge sale and reiterate the heartwarming story, and Fanatics will soak it in. The only people ranting will be here, and no one will care. This is the opposite of a PR nightmare.

See above post.

[seanbros55]

22 Bowman Heritage going into the Hudson?

2024 Series 1 - "First cards" were missing the front stamp.

Added.

[auctionjmm]

On March 29th, 2023 - along with 2021 Bowman Heritage on the same date.

Why are you such a blatant apologist for Topps/FanFan in every thread you post in?

What's your angle?

He's been ripping Topps for 2 days in the Skenes thread. Are you drunk?

[rfgilles]

On March 29th, 2023 - along with 2021 Bowman Heritage on the same date.

Why are you such a blatant apologist for Topps/FanFan in every thread you post in?

What's your angle?

Are you kidding? I'm the opposite. Take a deep breath guy.

If they went in the Hudson they would never have been released was the point I was making.

[rfgilles]

I'm interested to hear how this Skenes case is a PR nightmare. If you leave the blowout/twitter bubble, major news outlets are reporting this as a heartwarming story and the "scandal" is non-existent in the general public. The card will sell for a ton, the buyers don't give a crap where the card came from, they just want it. Once it sells, the news will report the huge sale and reiterate the heartwarming story, and Fanatics will soak it in. The only people ranting will be here, and no one will care. This is the opposite of a PR nightmare.

Plus people who read the journal entry will come away thinking a product released at $200 was worth $320 a month and a half later.....

[NYRE2PECT]

Are you kidding? I'm the opposite. Take a deep breath guy.

If they went in the Hudson they would never have been released was the point I was making.

That's a fair take...I forgot about them coming out much later.

[rfgilles]

He's been ripping Topps for 2 days in the Skenes thread. Are you drunk?

I actually haven't other than noting some red flags.

[auctionjmm]

I actually haven't other than noting some red flags.

I was trying to help you out man. I'm the apologist in the room. Just a little love shown your way.

[Osfan81]

How about Jackson Merrill’s picture on his 1st bowman not being him…he did not sign the cards. When his first autos were finally issued, there was no “1st” on it.

[OhioLawyerF5]

See above post.Whether they have been 100% honest has nothing to do with your post, which calls it a PR nightmare. It simply isn't. It's a PR homerun that they are repeatedly benefitting from.

[Osfan81]

Whether they have been 100% honest has nothing to do with your post, which calls it a PR nightmare. It simply isn't. It's a PR homerun that they are repeatedly benefitting from.


Yeah, no kidding. It’s a complete PR success. They have yahoo and espn covering the story. You have people buying cards that have never bought before. A lot of what I’m seeing is sour grapes from collectors who spent way too much chasing the golden ticket and came up empty. (I refuse to buy chrome update bc of huge checklist), but it’s still shady to me how this only “leaked” one month later. Unless the family requested it to not be released.

[seanbros55]

On March 29th, 2023 - along with 2021 Bowman Heritage on the same date.

Why are you such a blatant apologist for Topps/FanFan in every thread you post in?

What's your angle?

He's been ripping Topps for 2 days in the Skenes thread. Are you drunk?

Are you kidding? I'm the opposite. Take a deep breath guy.

If they went in the Hudson they would never have been released was the point I was making.

Totally my fault. I thought this was whitmm post.


That was not directed towards you.

[seanbros55]

Whether they have been 100% honest has nothing to do with your post, which calls it a PR nightmare. It simply isn't. It's a PR homerun that they are repeatedly benefitting from.

Any publicity is good publicity, eh?

All rational thought leans towards this being a total fabrication, but you keep doing you.

[OhioLawyerF5]

Any publicity is good publicity, eh?



All rational thought leans towards this being a total fabrication, but you keep doing you.Again, you are clearly not paying attention. Fanatics is NOT getting negative publicity from this. It has all been positive. Get off blowout and look at national media. They are reporting on this and it has ALL been glowing for Fanatics.

All rational thought says this has been a huge success for Fanatics. The only way to view this as a PR nightmare is if you view it through strong bias. But you do you.

[auctionjmm]

Any publicity is good publicity, eh?

All rational thought leans towards this being a total fabrication, but you keep doing you.

Which AGAIN would result in fraud, prison time, and loss of license. You can't just fabricate this without consequence unless you are so skilled that your sworn enemy, Panini, wouldn't even be able to catch you. And if Topps/Fanatics were that good, this wouldn't be a controversy in the first place because the script would be so air-tight that the pope would believe it. Where does that leave us now?

[seanbros55]

Again, you are clearly not paying attention. Fanatics is NOT getting negative publicity from this. It has all been positive. Get off blowout and look at national media. They are reporting on this and it has ALL been glowing for Fanatics.

All rational thought says this has been a huge success for Fanatics. The only way to view this as a PR nightmare is if you view it through strong bias. But you do you.

Reddit, twitter, and Blowout do not support your opinion, counselor.

[OhioLawyerF5]

Reddit, twitter, and Blowout do not support your opinion, counselor.Baseball card social media is the tiniest of drops in the bucket here. Maybe look at the viewership on those posts and compare them to that of ESPN or the NY Times. Get a clue, pal. You live in such an ignorant little bubble.

[seanbros55]

Baseball card social media is the tiniest of drops in the bucket here. Maybe look at the viewership on those posts and compare them to that of ESPN or the NY Times. Get a clue, pal. You live in such an ignorant little bubble.

The “little bubble” you reference is the vast majority of knowledgeable hobbyists versus the uninformed plebeians that make up the slaphappy hogtaker majority.

I stick up for you in the Elly thread, but otherwise, you’re an unwanted clam stain.

Way to derail yet another thread.

[Twalk1975]

The “little bubble” you reference is the vast majority of knowledgeable hobbyists versus the uninformed plebeians that make up the slaphappy hogtaker majority.

I stick up for you in the Elly thread, but otherwise, you’re an unwanted clam stain.

Way to derail yet another thread.

The reaction on Reddit seems much more mixed than it is in here. There are quite a few "seek help" comments directed at the conspiracy theorists.

[OhioLawyerF5]

The “little bubble” you reference is the vast majority of knowledgeable hobbyists versus the uninformed plebeians that make up the slaphappy hogtaker majority.

I stick up for you in the Elly thread, but otherwise, you’re an unwanted clam stain.

Way to derail yet another thread.This thread is a stupid troll job and should be derailed. It's entire premise is based on false assumptions that absolutely should be addressed. So it isn't derailing anything to bring it up.

The fact that you can't comprehend how successful this has been for Fanatics tells me all I need to know about your understanding of the situation.

I couldn't care less if you defend me. I didn't ask for it, don't need it, and frankly don't care.

[whitmm]

Nevertheless, Topps is owned by Fanatics....so at the end of the day, Fanatics' management is responsible for Topps' screw-ups.

So Fanatics is responsible for a Topps screw up that happened before they owned the company?

Fanatics didn't own Topps when the 21 BB screw up happened. It shouldn't be on the list.

[whitmm]

Totally my fault. I thought this was whitmm post.


That was not directed towards you.

You literally blamed Fanatics for something that happened before they bought Topps.

Hate to break it to you, you aren't one of those "knowledge hobbyists" that chat here. You're nothing more than a stupid troll.

And it doesn't matter that there are a bunch of hobby historians, here, it doesn't change the fact that this place is just a small bubble. Watching people here finally coming to the realization that they are nothing more than a little fish in a big pond has been hilarious. Especially one who recently earned himself a time out.

[seanbros55]

The bolded examples in the OP are all purely coincidental. Nothing to see here folks.

[fabiani12333]

Reddit, twitter, and Blowout do not support your opinion, counselor.

Baseball card social media is the tiniest of drops in the bucket here. Maybe look at the viewership on those posts and compare them to that of ESPN or the NY Times.

I think you're both right. The normies see the story of an 11-year-old from LA pulling a valuable Topps card for Christmas, and it's marketing gold for Topps. But those who bought '24 TCU might be skeptical of the official story, and it could end up leaving them with a bad taste in their mouths if Topps doesn't come out with a few more details -- specifically, where was the box purchased from.

[ThoseBackPages]

You literally blamed Fanatics for something that happened before they bought Topps.

Hate to break it to you, you aren't one of those "knowledge hobbyists" that chat here. You're nothing more than a stupid troll.

And it doesn't matter that there are a bunch of hobby historians, here, it doesn't change the fact that this place is just a small bubble. Watching people here finally coming to the realization that they are nothing more than a little fish in a big pond has been hilarious. Especially one who recently earned himself a time out.

so glad to see you are thinking of me

[Gidtheson]

A Non-Sport mistake, but 2022 Book Of Boba Fett is missing the sketch cards that were supposed to be inserted 1:36 (8 pack boxes). Cases upon cases opened with zero included

[OhioLawyerF5]

... if Topps doesn't come out with a few more details -- specifically, where was the box purchased from.I don't understand why you are so obsessed with that virtually insignificant piece of information.

Topps would have no way of knowing that unless the buyer specifically tells them. Nor would they have any reason to ask for it, since it means nothing (contrary to your insistence that it does). And the buyer of the box would have no reason to volunteer that information either. Not that they would hide it, just that no normal person would even think it matters.

[Triple B]

Are BODA applications being accepted now or something? Everybody wants to be a PI.

[mfw13]

So Fanatics is responsible for a Topps screw up that happened before they owned the company?

Fanatics didn't own Topps when the 21 BB screw up happened. It shouldn't be on the list.

I was obviously talking about the present, not the past.....

[FatButcher]

I truly wonder what scenario of the Skenes being pulled would not have hatched a conspiracy theory.

As it stands, it's a huge win for Topps. The rippers who might feel burned will assuredly get over it and get in breaks for the next hot thing. And Topps will have attracted some new eyeballs from the national good press.

Anyone painting this as a net negative for Topps is either trolling, biased or looking for conspiracy theories any chance they get.

[ThoseBackPages]

I truly wonder what scenario of the Skenes being pulled would not have hatched a conspiracy theory.

As it stands, it's a huge win for Topps. The rippers who might feel burned will assuredly get over it and get in breaks for the next hot thing. And Topps will have attracted some new eyeballs from the national good press.

Anyone painting this as a net negative for Topps is either trolling, biased or looking for conspiracy theories any chance they get.

PR Win for sure. and another example of Fanatics can do whatever they want

[FatButcher]

PR Win for sure. and another example of Fanatics can do whatever they want

On that we agree. I'm pretty out on new baseball product at this point, save for Heritage and Pro Debut. They have to suffice for my ripping itch.

[YouTheManNick]

I truly wonder what scenario of the Skenes being pulled would not have hatched a conspiracy theory.



An average Joe type in their 40's - 60's who posts a video with the card and declares they're not grading it, selling it or taking the Pirates' offer. They're just gonna keep it raw in a safety deposit box. And the card does not see the light of day again for 20+ years.

PSA loses. Auction houses lose. Fanatics loses.

I think had that very unlikely scenario occurred, no one would think it was a conspiracy.

[OhioLawyerF5]

An average Joe type in their 40's - 60's who posts a video with the card and declares they're not grading it, selling it or taking the Pirates' offer. They're just gonna keep it raw in a safety deposit box. And the card does not see the light of day again for 20+ years.



PSA loses. Auction houses lose. Fanatics loses.



I think had that very unlikely scenario occurred, no one would think it was a conspiracy.I'm nearly 100% confident even that would spawn conspiracy theories.

[ThoseBackPages]

An average Joe type in their 40's - 60's who posts a video with the card and declares they're not grading it, selling it or taking the Pirates' offer. They're just gonna keep it raw in a safety deposit box. And the card does not see the light of day again for 20+ years.

PSA loses. Auction houses lose. Fanatics loses.

I think had that very unlikely scenario occurred, no one would think it was a conspiracy.

id be fine with that

[seanbros55]

Instead, we get radio silence.

[YouTheManNick]

I'm nearly 100% confident even that would spawn conspiracy theories.

I'm gonna revise.

This "Average Joe" collector doesn't post a video of himself with the card because he doesn't have instagram or youtube.

Instead. He just makes a thread right here on Blowout showing proof of ownership and that he's not grading, auctioning, selling, etc. Then 'poof.' He's gone like Keyser Soze.

[auburn35]

You can add the stolen/backdoored autos from 2023 Topps Chrome to your list.

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showpost.php?p=18940594&postcount=41

Maybe the 2022 Stadium Club "certified autograph" on every refactor, could also be added.
Fanatics/Topps provided scammers with some new inventory.

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?p=18989093

[seanbros55]

Killling the Flagship Black parallels.

You can add the stolen/backdoored autos from 2023 Topps Chrome to your list.

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showpost.php?p=18940594&postcount=41



Added.

Also, "Cheers" to the gobbler who got me the 24-hour timeout.

[fulltritty]

Not card related, but the woman in the Topps booth who kept moving the lines for the autograph guests at last year's National was a real genius. Had kids and old people getting trampled in the afternoon session to get Manny Ramirez because she kept moving where to go because people were lining up an hour before the appropriate time. :rolleyes:

Also last year's Meet N Greet, the raffle failed to list the option to say you were bringing a child like the year before. Instead, you would naturally think your child had to sign up for the raffle too. A few children were chosen and when you went to check in, they were told they couldn't get the free card and had to have a parent present (although the one parent had not been chosen) or they wouldn't be allowed to enter.

[jduds]

A lot of these don't move the needle for me as screw-ups and calling the Skenes Debut Patch a screw-up is beyond absurd. Outside of a very few hobbyists who will yell at anything, the response has been amazing and it is getting major POSITIVE national attention. The designs have gotten much stronger in the last two years and quality control is on an upswing (maybe not this year's Stadium Club which was my last after years of buying). There are minor miscues here and there, but outside of a few things on here (multiple 1/1s, backdoored supers) I've been relatively pleased with the Fanatics era of Topps.

[Big35Hurt]

What do you guys think of this? Someone commented that Topps put a YouTube sticker on the case with a big 1/1 hit. Is this standard with every case?

https://www.facebook.com/reel/2422035561472788

[OhioLawyerF5]

What do you guys think of this? Someone commented that Topps put a YouTube sticker on the case with a big 1/1 hit. Is this standard with every case?

https://www.facebook.com/reel/2422035561472788

That's a Jaspy's sticker. It's the logo of the breaker. They put it on the case themselves. :doh:

[Big35Hurt]

That's a Jaspy's sticker. It's the logo of the breaker. They put it on the case themselves. :doh:

I've never heard of the guy/channel so how would I know? I'm not a degenerate that buys into breaks nor do I get all excited like a teenager getting his first ever action watching break videos.

Wait for it...you will respond to my post with some snarky comment because you always have to get the last word in due to your overly inflated ego. :doh:

[OhioLawyerF5]

I've never heard of the guy/channel so how would I know? I'm not a degenerate that buys into breaks nor do I get all excited like a teenager getting his first ever action watching break videos.

Wait for it...you will respond to my post with some snarky comment because you always have to get the last word in due to your overly inflated ego. :doh:

LOL Who is the one with the snarky comments? :rolleyes:

I've never bought into a break in my life. I just paused the video when the sticker is visible and it literally has the same logo on the table in front of the box and on the guy's hat.

It took me all of 10 seconds to put down the conspiracy theory. Maybe instead of jumping to conlcusions about something you clearly have no idea about, you'll think it through next time.

Call that snark if you want, but it's deserved snark. And still less snarky than your pre-emptive snark and personal attacks. :coffee:

[Big35Hurt]

LOL Who is the one with the snarky comments? :rolleyes:

I've never bought into a break in my life. I just paused the video when the sticker is visible and it literally has the same logo on the table in front of the box and on the guy's hat.

It took me all of 10 seconds to put down the conspiracy theory. Maybe instead of jumping to conlcusions about something you clearly have no idea about, you'll think it through next time.

Call that snark if you want, but it's deserved snark. And still less snarky than your pre-emptive snark and personal attacks. :coffee:

Lmao...and there it is. Thought you were smarter than this. All I asked is what people here thought of this. I wasn't the one who pointed out the YouTube sticker in the comments on the Facebook video. I asked about it to find out more here and you immediately jumped to conclusion that I am the one with the conspiracy theory. How said is your life that you act this way multiple times a day on this board? Other members have called you out for it.

And again....wait for it....he will try to get the last weird in as per usual. :coffee: :cry:

[OhioLawyerF5]

Lmao...and there it is. Thought you were smarter than this. All I asked is what people here thought of this. I wasn't the one who pointed out the YouTube sticker in the comments on the Facebook video. I asked about it to find out more here and you immediately jumped to conclusion that I am the one with the conspiracy theory. How said is your life that you act this way multiple times a day on this board? Other members have called you out for it.

And again....wait for it....he will try to get the last weird in as per usual. :coffee: :cry:

You are insufferable. You literally attacked me first for no reason. Why did you post it here, in this thread, if you didn't think it was a Fanatics screw up?

Regardless, before spreading things, even if they aren't your theory, the responsible thing to do is verify if there is any validity. That's how this whole Skenes thing started. People jumped the gun and posted a bunch of crazy theories without actually verifying anything.

And just to shut you up, since you are an egotistical maniac who also needs the last word, you can have it. I won't be responding again. I've already proved my point, and you will no doubt have more snark to provide.

Reply away. :)!

[MyckKabongo]

Removing atomics from Bowman's Best was TBH worse than the blacks and clears in S1. Atomic was THE signature paralell of the entire brand for 25 years. They then ignored fan feedback and released a 2nd year with no atomics.

Oh, you want to save the cracked ice look for Sapphire? Well, y'know pretty easy solution for that given thay they've used other effects for Atomics back in the day. Oh that's right, they almost certainly didn't know this because they don't know or respect hobby history.

[seanbros55]

That was intentional. I would add removing atomics from bowman's best if that's the case.

Removing atomics from Bowman's Best was TBH worse than the blacks and clears in S1. Atomic was THE signature paralell of the entire brand for 25 years. They then ignored fan feedback and released a 2nd year with no atomics.

Oh, you want to save the cracked ice look for Sapphire? Well, y'know pretty easy solution for that given thay they've used other effects for Atomics back in the day. Oh that's right, they almost certainly didn't know this because they don't know or respect hobby history.

Added!

File under "outright failures" category from the OP.

[Stech36]

Removing atomics from Bowman's Best was TBH worse than the blacks and clears in S1. Atomic was THE signature paralell of the entire brand for 25 years. They then ignored fan feedback and released a 2nd year with no atomics.

Oh, you want to save the cracked ice look for Sapphire? Well, y'know pretty easy solution for that given thay they've used other effects for Atomics back in the day. Oh that's right, they almost certainly didn't know this because they don't know or respect hobby history.

Agreed although I think removing blacks and clears is worse from an overall standpoint

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Removing atomics from Bowman's Best was TBH worse than the blacks and clears in S1. Atomic was THE signature paralell of the entire brand for 25 years. They then ignored fan feedback and released a 2nd year with no atomics.

Oh, you want to save the cracked ice look for Sapphire? Well, y'know pretty easy solution for that given thay they've used other effects for Atomics back in the day. Oh that's right, they almost certainly didn't know this because they don't know or respect hobby history.

I miss atomics too.

[StlBen]

declares they're not grading it, selling it or taking the Pirates' offer. They're just gonna keep it raw in a safety deposit box.

This wasn't even an option. The card comes graded, that is part of the promotion.

[eastbayak]

Removing atomics from Bowman's Best was TBH worse than the blacks and clears in S1. Atomic was THE signature paralell of the entire brand for 25 years. They then ignored fan feedback and released a 2nd year with no atomics.

Oh, you want to save the cracked ice look for Sapphire? Well, y'know pretty easy solution for that given thay they've used other effects for Atomics back in the day. Oh that's right, they almost certainly didn't know this because they don't know or respect hobby history.

Removing the "signature" parallel from a product that only a few care about does not trump removing one of the "signature" parallels from a product that many care about.

It's like removing the Sportage from the Kia line (former) versus removing the RAV4 from Toyota line (latter). The latter impacts significantly more people in the hobby.

[MyckKabongo]

Flagship still has Gold /year, Independence Day, etc. Atomics were basically it for BB. I agree it is a less important product but the level of negligence/disregard shown to the fans of that brand is to me worse.

Whatever, let's all agree that Fanatics needs to figure out that collectors are the end buyers of all this stuff. Before you all sign off on any more bight ideas from whippersnapper product managers, ask a dang collector for feedback. Not breakers. Not break buyers. COLLECTORS!

[mfw13]

Whatever, let's all agree that Fanatics needs to figure out that collectors are the end buyers of all this stuff. Before you all sign off on any more bight ideas from whippersnapper product managers, ask a dang collector for feedback. Not breakers. Not break buyers. COLLECTORS!

You're assuming that they care about the long term...but I'm not so sure that they do.

They may be planning to flip the whole shebang to a private equity buyer as soon as the NBA/NFL exclusives start.