The man who has been the face of Leaf Trading Cards for the past 13 years is stepping down.
Brian Gray, who owns the Texas-based trading card maker, says he is resigning as CEO effective immediately.
A 30-year industry veteran, Gray posted on social media late Friday that his hand-picked successor will be named “very soon.”
“This has been a long race. For the first time within the past year, I am tired,” he wrote. “I need to create margin in my life to focus on health, family and all the things I love about life that were relegated to the back burner over these 3 decades. Fortunately, the perfect person has been found to take the reins that will allow me to transition from this role.”
Leaf released a statement saying that the “strategic move comes as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to enhance its leadership team and position itself for continued growth and success in the dynamic trading card world.”
Gray became Leaf’s CEO in August of 2010, resurrecting a brand that dates back to the 1940s and then enjoyed a renaissance through other manufacturers in the mid-1980s and 90s. Prior to that, Gray was the CEO of Razor Entertainment Group, another trading card maker he founded in 2005.
Leaf produces a wide variety of products, despite not having any licenses with the major pro sports leagues or its players, including cards of NFL draft picks each spring. The company also creates numerous buyback type products and its licenses with individual athletes and other pop culture personalities have allowed it to create various card sets and print on demand singles.
“There are plenty of big things happening with Leaf and those will be shared in future,” the company stated. “Until then, count on Leaf’s unrelenting efforts to bring you the most diverse, interesting and value driven releases in the market.”
