Fanatics to replace Topps as MLB’s card provider
Baseball fans of all ages today are likely familiar with the brand Topps, which has made cards for Major League Baseball for decades. But there will soon be a new manufacturer of the cards that people have long liked to collect.
Last week, The Wall Street Journal reported that Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) would not be renewing their baseball card agreements with collectible company Topps when they come up for renewal, instead opting to sign an exclusive sports card deal with merchandise retailer Fanatics Inc.
SPAC in place
Perhaps relatedly, the planned merger between sports card maker Topps Co. and Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) Mudrick Capital MUDS, -0.10% is being canceled “by mutual agreement.”
Fanatics didn’t just agree to a deal with the MLB — sports cards rights for both the NFL and the NBA, currently owned by Panini, will also go to Fanatics when they expire in 2025 and 2026, according to the report.
Topps and Panini did not respond to MarketWatch’s requests for comment, but Fanatics did confirm its sports card deals with the MLB and NBA to MarketWatch.
Ronnie J. Willis is a staff reporter for The Navigator.