GIANT STEP
When 2022 dawned, Fanatics made its next big move toward becoming a giant in the trading card industry.
Four months after it acquired the licenses to produce baseball, basketball and football cards beginning in 2023, Fanatics bought longtime trading card company Topps.
Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin confirmed the deal, which was reportedly for $500 million.
“With trading cards and collectibles being a significant pillar of our long-term plans to become the leading digital sports platform, we are excited to add a leading trading cards company to build out our business,” Rubin said in a press release. “Their iconic brand, commitment to product excellence and passionate employees worldwide will allow us to immediately serve our league and players’ association partners and our fans.”
Rubin said Fanatics plans to keep the Topps brand, which has been synonymous with baseball cards for the past 70 years, and possibly bring back Topps football and basketball cards once those licensing deals go into effect.
For those in the trading card industry, the move to
