Does the Fanatics deal mean Topps Heritage is done?

[tonye82]

Forgive me, I am still trying to understand what the deal with Fanatics means for Topps Heritage or what it could mean down the line. Maybe too early to even ask. Been collecting Heritage since 2004. I am a little beyond shocked to learn that 2022 Topps Heritage is the last year of Topps Heritage? Is that what this deal means? We seriously aren't gonna see the 1975 design, or even finish the 70's? Anyone also wanna share theories how Topps could still produce MLB cards with their old designs - is it possible? Thanks!

[heritagebill]

I would think it's possible for them to continue their MLB releases if they are bought by fantatics, other than that not sure how they could continue on after deal expires in 2025

[tonye82]

Originally Posted by heritagebill

I would think it's possible for them to continue their MLB releases if they are bought by fantatics, other than that not sure how they could continue on after deal expires in 2025

I am also thoroughly confused about what Topps is allowed to do with something like Heritage between 2023-2025, as I understand it Fanatics takes over in 2026?

[discostu]

Yes, assume that Heritage ends unless Fanatics licenses the designs and Topps brand.

No possible scenario exists where Topps produces MLB cards without being under the Fanatics umbrella.

This deal all but eliminates unlicensed baseball products.

[rngrdanny22]

I definitely foresee Fanatics buying either Topps or Panini (or both).

Topps is the prime target due to history, and would allow for Topps products in all sports (with logos!). If Panini doesn't sell, a deal like this would kill them.

[glen87]

Originally Posted by rngrdanny22

I definitely foresee Fanatics buying either Topps or Panini (or both).

Topps is the prime target due to history, and would allow for Topps products in all sports (with logos!). If Panini doesn't sell, a deal like this would kill them.

might kill panini america, but panini itself would more than likely survive.

[rngrdanny22]

Originally Posted by glen87

might kill panini america, but panini itself would more than likely survive.

If they can't make MLB, NFL, NBA, or Hockey cards, what's left? Just Soccer?

[glen87]

Originally Posted by rngrdanny22

If they can't make MLB, NFL, NBA, or Hockey cards, what's left? Just Soccer?

panini, not panini america, is much much more than cards.

Publishing represents the second biggest but fastest growing business area of the Group, making it one of the top multi-territorial youth publishers in the world. Today, the Division originates, edits, translates, and publishes over 7,000 comics, magazines, partworks and books per year throughout Europe, Mexico and Brazil. The Division distributes its products not only in the traditional channels (kiosks, newsstands, bookshops and comic shops) but also in supermarkets, other mass market outlets and online retailers.

Stickers: Panini is synonymous worldwide with stickers and albums. Historically the company has grown thanks to collectable items, and it remains one of the most important areas of business for the Group. Stickers are collectable images printed on adhesive paper so that it is easy to stick them in the related album. They are sold in packs that usually contain 5 to 6 stickers and generally available in the newstrade, confectionary shops and in key retail chains worldwide.

Trading Card Games: Trading Card Games are made of trading cards with an attacking, defensive, and overall rating so collectors can play the game sometimes using an associated game board. In some releases, the unique authorisation code on the back of each card allows users to upload their cards online to a virtual collector's album and play the game on line against the computer or against other players.

spend some time on the actual panini (again, not panini america site) and see all the stuff they have.

[balraven]

Originally Posted by rngrdanny22

I definitely foresee Fanatics buying either Topps or Panini (or both).

Topps is the prime target due to history, and would allow for Topps products in all sports (with logos!). If Panini doesn't sell, a deal like this would kill them.

Don't forget Upper Deck. Fanatics could buy them. Or do they go and buy LEAF from that one guy? There are numerous heritage brands out there they could go after, so if Topps or Panini get piggy in what they want, there are other options out there. Regarding Upper Deck, it makes me wonder if that's where things are going in regard to a buy by Fanatics -- NHL was the only one of the four sports that didn't do a Fanatics deal (yet). Maybe those rights are coming to .... once Fanatics swoops in and buys UD????

[glen87]

unless fanatics buys topps, or licencses the brand names, heritage, a&g, bowman, chrome, etc. all will be gone.

topps would be able to continue, but would not have access to mlb names / logos or mlbpa members. so they would essentially have to become the new "leaf" cards.

[smalltown]

Originally Posted by glen87

unless fanatics buys topps, or licencses the brand names, heritage, a&g, bowman, chrome, etc. all will be gone.

Actually A&G is probably the easiest to continue without a license and they could use it a conduit for other properties as insets. A&G essentially becomes Topps' Goodwin. They can fill it with any license they own and Sign some Baseball players to exclusives. It would essentially keep Topps Baseball alive, albeit neutered.

I can envision an A&G product that has 1st Chrome cards of NIL prospects, Heritage cards of Exclusive Athletes etc all as inserts.

[glen87]

Originally Posted by smalltown

Actually A&G is probably the easiest to continue without a license and they could use it a conduit for other properties as insets. A&G essentially becomes Topps' Goodwin. They can fill it with any license they own and Sign some Baseball players to exclusives. It would essentially keep Topps Baseball alive, albeit neutered.

I can envision an A&G product that has 1st Chrome cards of NIL prospects, Heritage cards of Exclusive Athletes etc all as inserts.

you are correct except the baseball players could not be a part of the mlbpa.

they could not use any of the mlbpa members in the set.

[cjgiannini]

Originally Posted by glen87

you are correct except the baseball players could not be a part of the mlbpa.

they could not use any of the mlbpa members in the set.

I'm pretty sure that's not true, unless things have changed since 2003 when Barry Bonds opted out of the group MLBPA licensing agreement, but was still a member of the MLBPA.

[glen87]

Originally Posted by cjgiannini

I'm pretty sure that's not true, unless things have changed since 2003 when Barry Bonds opted out of the group MLBPA licensing agreement, but was still a member of the MLBPA.

https://www.mlbplayers.com/

Major League Baseball Players Association

Is the union that represents players on the 40-man rosters of the 30 Major League baseball teams and oversees MLB Players, Inc., which exclusively represents the group commercial and licensing activities involving active players.

[smalltown]

Originally Posted by glen87

you are correct except the baseball players could not be a part of the mlbpa. they could not use any of the mlbpa members in the set.

I not sure that's entirely true. They just have to negotiate a deal with the individual player to use their likeness. Leaf does this currently.

[glen87]

Originally Posted by smalltown

I not sure that's entirely true. They just have to negotiate a deal with the individual player to use their likeness. Leaf does this currently.

who is leaf using currently?

[marterburn]

There are at least 4 possibilities:

1. Heritage is done. If nothing changes, that's where we are. The name 'Heritage' is Topps' IP as well, in addition to all the designs, obviously.

2. Fanatics contracts with Topps select licenses, with one of those being Heritage.

3. Fanatics buys Topps and continues with most of the lines we currently see, with Heritage being one of them.

4. Topps, etc win an anti-trust lawsuit against Fanatics & hammer out subsequent relationships with MLB & MLBPA. This one's the least likely, as litigation will be hell.

There's obviously lots of time for this all to resolve, and we'll know Topps' plans sooner than them coming to fruition. It's not saying much, but this news is still less than a month old.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[tonye82]

can anyone shed light on what happens in the 2023-2025 period with something like Heritage or anything else Topps? How the cards could look between players and logos? Don't they lose a license in 2023 but still have another until 2025?

[heritagebill]

Originally Posted by tonye82

can anyone shed light on what happens in the 2023-2025 period with something like Heritage or anything else Topps? How the cards could look between players and logos? Don't they lose a license in 2023 but still have another until 2025?

I believe Topps still has a deal with the MLB through 2025 but the MLBPA starts with fanatics in 2023 so maybe fanatics will release panini type products with no logos until 2025.

[glen87]

Originally Posted by heritagebill

I believe Topps still has a deal with the MLB through 2025 but the MLBPA starts with fanatics in 2023 so maybe fanatics will release panini type products with no logos until 2025.

mlb gives you the logos / mlpba gives you the players

so based on the years you posted, they can use the logos until 2025, both are 2025

"MLB renewed its deal with Topps in 2018, and the existing deal ends in 2025. The MLB Players Association deal also aligns with the league, so its deal would end, too."

[heritagebill]

Originally Posted by glen87

mlb gives you the logos / mlpba gives you the players

so based on the years you posted, they can use the logos until 2025, both are 2025

"MLB renewed its deal with Topps in 2018, and the existing deal ends in 2025. The MLB Players Association deal also aligns with the league, so its deal would end, too."

Right, I saw that too. Which is why I think we'll see Topps make baseball per usual until 2025, but for a year or two leading up to that we could have another panini-esque unlicensed product from fanatics...

Saw this on yahoo sports article on it "The MLBPA's deal with Fanatics will reportedly begin in 2023. MLB's current contract with Topps runs through 2025."

[rms13]

Originally Posted by heritagebill

I believe Topps still has a deal with the MLB through 2025 but the MLBPA starts with fanatics in 2023 so maybe fanatics will release panini type products with no logos until 2025.

Topps deal with MLB players union ends after 2022 so they won’t be able to make cards with players even though they will still have MLB team rights

[tonye82]

Originally Posted by rms13

Topps deal with MLB players union ends after 2022 so they won’t be able to make cards with players even though they will still have MLB team rights

this is exactly what my fear was and reason for creating this thread. that after 2022 what can Topps actually do at all, especially with Heritage.

[auctionjmm]

Originally Posted by rms13

Topps deal with MLB players union ends after 2022 so they won’t be able to make cards with players even though they will still have MLB team rights

Nobody knows the exact details of this. There will not be 3 years of logo-less cards. I'm sure there's multiple avenues in which fully licensed MLB cards will be made throughout 2023-2025.

[Saraste]

Originally Posted by rms13

Topps deal with MLB players union ends after 2022 so they won’t be able to make cards with players even though they will still have MLB team rights

If this is true, then Topps would be able to do retired player sets. They already insert them into Archives, Gypsy Queen, etc. They would be able to do Bowman sets of players not on 40 man rosters. The problem I see is: player X is not on a 40 man roster as of the time a Bowman set is created and printing starts. In the meantime, before release, that player is put on a 40 man roster. What happens to the cards of player X? I just confused myself.