Topps told attendees at the annual Q&A session that the company was “disappointed” to lose the NFL and NFLPA licenses that 
has ended a 60-year streak of producing pro football cards. However, they say they continue to explore other options, which could include a fresh run at the NBA. Topps hasn’t produced basketball cards since Steph Curry’s rookie season.
Through its social media channels, Upper Deck has also strongly hinted it will try to get its league license back. The company already owns exclusives with Michael Jordan, LeBron James and this year’s top draft pick, Ben Simmons.
Topps officials also stated they were actively working to try to bring new or lapsed collectors into the hobby. Part of that effort is through stadium giveaways and this year, they say they’ll hand out 3.5 million packs of baseball cards at big league ballparks.
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Physical sales of Topps cards still outweigh digital but the company has clearly boosted its bottom line through various money-making apps. Phys.org talked with company officials and others in the industry about what they’ve been up to.
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WPVI-TV in Philadelphia aired a very brief clip on the show during one of the station’s newscasts. You can watch it below:
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Among the guests at Panini’s VIP party this year will be Reggie Jackson, Scottie Pippen and Shawn Kemp. You need to spend a very large amount of money on unopened product to get in.
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Game-worn Kobe Bryant shoes from his final NBA season—at least the latter part of it—apparently will be in decent supply. Here’s what teammate Roy Hibbert told Ringer.com for this story about the craziness of Kobe’s Lakers farewell:
“I guess he had a contractual thing [with] all his game-worn shoes. He would wear like two or three [in a game] so he would give one to make money for autographs or whatever. And then he would give one to an opposing player, the best player on the opposing team.”
It’s not unusual for players in milestone games to change jerseys multiple times but it’s always good to know when it happens.
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If you love the 90s, you may recall the series of McDonalds commercials that featured Michael Jordan and other NBA stars. Poor Chuck Barkley kept trying to get MJ to play hoops with him.
One of the basketballs signed by Jordan for use in that commercial is now at Collect Auctions.
The consignor’s stepfather was a well-known art director and prop master who was involved in high-profile shoots in southern California back then. He took it home from the shoot and gave it to the youngster who has held onto it ever since.
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LeBron’s All-Star Jersey Sells for $90,102
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