Topps out---Fanatics in

[NYBBFAN]

Originally Posted by NYRE2PECT

Curse you. Down here in south Texas it is Dr. B.

Wondered if anyone would catch that

[allstarcomics]

Originally Posted by BigSeph

Do you know what Topps sells say... Topps Series 1 to GTS for?

If you don't, you have no idea how much markup exists between the actual manufacturer and the person trying to buy Series 1 boxes from a distributor or reseller.

I think the average person would be SHOCKED to know how much Topps and Panini sell direct to distributors for vs how much they might pay on the secondary market.

Fanatics is likely aware of this markup difference and several other "inside tips," and they have Panini to thank for it thanks to the "Fanatics Exclusive" products that allowed them to see:

What they had to pay for a box of cards
What discounts Panini offered if they bought a bunch more cards
How much demand there was for said box of cards
What they could realistically make from selling said box of cards

They already have insight and actual data on the same level that a first-level distributor would have, they just don't have it for as many products.

I would imagine that dry run trial of reselling "Fanatics Exclusive Prizm Blasters" gave them all the data they needed to pull the trigger on jumping into the sports card industry. They only needed to bully Topps and Panini for the licensing, and that licensing cost was likely already calculated and factored in when they evaluated the numbers.

The more products they make, the more money they can make. They needed to scale it across multiple sports for their model to work most likely, and look what they did.

Multiplying a standard box of sports cards by a factor of 10 is overly simplistic and there's no way they are dumb enough to mark everything up x10 out of the gate.

That situation is something that didn't always exist . Distributors typically made 8-10% on new release wax. I'm sure all the companies are well aware of it as topps and panini have increased direct costs significantly . That is the problem , every hand in the till wants more. Dealers that have long in place accounts with topps with large built in allocations must be very uneasy right now. I lost my direct w topps 10 years ago in a argument so maybe now I can get back in with fanatics or maybe they cut all stores/distributors out

[rcmb3220]

Originally Posted by hoos

I’m excited to be able to complete my Topps Living Set

Quoted for greatness

[Enryon]

Looking forward to the final Topps baseball release. My guess Topps is going to go out on a sad pathetic sticker and mem dump.

Anybody remember Upper Deck 2012 SP Signature Edition Baseball? Yeah that's the level of trash we have to look forward to.

Breakers will still break most of it because it will have 6-10 hits per box. Too bad 4 of those hits will be guys who played one year or never made it out of the minors.

[slaughterica]

Am I reading this right...Fanatics was valued at 18B and supposedly paid 10x more than Topps for the MLB license. Lol, this is terrible for the hobby in more ways than just consolidation. Prices quadrupling + a billion product releases are coming

Sent from my GM1917 using Tapatalk

[salthill]

Can’t catch up on 800 posts quickly enough. I presume someone already suggested Fanatics might buy Topps? (Leak this deal to tank the MUDS SPAC, then buy them privately at a discount.)

[letsgocapitals]

This is gonna be a good thing... I feel it.

*Tryin' to do what those ladies tell us

[VinnyH]

“I remember buying a box of 1965 Topps with my paper route money. Opened them up and ran downstairs to flip them against the stone steps of our apartment building. They got shredded, ripped, and dog-eared, and WE LIKED IT!”

Oh, the innocence of youth,
Vinny

[beaverman3001]

Originally Posted by Enryon

Looking forward to the final Topps baseball release. My guess Topps is going to go out on a sad pathetic sticker and mem dump.

Anybody remember Upper Deck 2012 SP Signature Edition Baseball? Yeah that's the lever of trash we have to look forward to.

2009 Ultimate was amazing from UD, if we can get a repeat of that I'd be stoked, at least for a few weeks until the darkness sets in.

[JDM]

Originally Posted by Doodlegrass

As a fanatics employee- I can’t disclose what dept or my position - but this is exciting and great designs/ideas are already in the works for the boomers that will refuse to buy because they blindly follow a company that ran out of ideas a decade+ ago

You sound like you have zero idea how high end collectibles work. That’s as dumb as hiring a bunch of modern painters and then telling collectors of Monet’s and Picasso’s that your new company will come up with lots of cool painting and design ideas for the Boomers who blindly follow and collect dead painters.

[caulaflour]

Originally Posted by salthill

Can’t catch up on 800 posts quickly enough. I presume someone already suggested Fanatics might buy Topps? (Leak this deal to tank the MUDS SPAC, then buy them privately at a discount.)

Exactly (a couple of us just did the last page, lol). Not nearly so many people as I would have thought, however, seem to think that is what will happen. I personally would be shocked if it didn't.

[rngrdanny22]

Well, I'm interested to see what happens.

If we don't like what Fanatics puts out, there's a way to make a change. Vote with your wallets.

But we won't. We're degenerate gamblers. Hell, some of us even buy Panini baseball stuff. We'll buy anything.

[Enryon]

Originally Posted by beaverman3001

2009 Ultimate was amazing from UD, if we can get a repeat of that I'd be stoked, at least for a few weeks until the darkness sets in.

I wish UD went out on that set. The Ultimate 8's were incredible. Unfortunately, UD went out on 2012 SP. Though you could argue that they are still printing 2009 Signature Stars.

[armyatc22]

So since the MLBPA deal with Topps only going through 2022 they will only be able to make cards with MLB team names on them since they have those rights until 2025. Without the players association they can’t use their name or resemblance correct?

It’s like the opposite of what Panini has right now

[Cavaliercards]

Originally Posted by soey10

Why is it that there has to be an exclusive deal and not multiple deals like it used to be. Win win for the collector and for the players


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not a win for players or league as it means more work for their money and controlling the license

[VinnyH]

Originally Posted by armyatc22

So since the MLBPA deal with Topps only going through 2022 they will only be able to make cards with MLB team names on them since they have those rights until 2025. Without the players association they can’t use their name or resemblance correct?

It’s like the opposite of what Panini has right now

Question: as it stands now, when is the last year Topps can make a fully licensed baseball set? I’m getting confused between MLB & MLBPA end dates. Is 2023 the death date?
Thanks,
Vinny

[Mandy1320]

Initial reactions:

1. Holy s***
2. Sell your MUDS shares
3. There’s a chance that this could be really for the hobby overall.
4. There’s a chance that this could devastate the hobby overall.
5. Topps has been printing money over the last couple of years and they still found a way to screw it all up. Lol
6. Sad for the past but excited for the future.

[JeremyNick]

Originally Posted by VinnyH

Question: as it stands now, when is the last year Topps can make a fully licensed baseball set? I’m getting confused between MLB & MLBPA end dates. Is 2023 the death date?
Thanks,
Vinny

Today is the death date.

I believe 2023 is the graveside service.

[packman80]

[Chrominator]

Originally Posted by Boo

Wonder if Fanatics will have redemptions or points cards?

More like redemptions for New Era hats, amirite?

[Silent George]

Originally Posted by armyatc22

So since the MLBPA deal with Topps only going through 2022 they will only be able to make cards with MLB team names on them since they have those rights until 2025. Without the players association they can’t use their name or resemblance correct?

It’s like the opposite of what Panini has right now

They can, and historically have, sign individual deals with the players.

How inclined they’ll be to do it over the next few years I imagine not likely. Guessing much smaller sets will follow.

[speedyjg13]

What are the pros and what are the cons of having Fanatics take over the hobby?

[The Accountant]

Totally shocked. Both excited and extremely stressed about what is ahead. I love Topps and Panini products so a lot lies in what decisions are made as far as brands and distribution.

A lot of opportunities about to come up to though right? Hobby just got a wholeeee lot more interesting....


Man.... I'm going to miss Topps

[jefflasvegas]

Originally Posted by hoos

I’m excited to be able to complete my Topps Living Set

That was my first thought also! I swore to ride this to the end. My second thought was does the MLBPA own the rights of retired players, so if Topps wanted they could continue the set w Negro League players, retired players prior to MLBPA, managers, etc.

[BaseballKing]

Originally Posted by Cavaliercards

Looks like fanatics could get it all.

This is gonna hurt Topps Stock

What Topps stock? There will surely be no IPO now.