After a few days of generally positive vibes, the 2021 Industry Summit came to a close Wednesday with one trading card company chief addressing the elephant in the room. Leaf doesn’t have a major sports trading card license, but in light of the new deals Fanatics has reportedly made to essentially take control of the major contracts, company president Brian Gray is feeling … [Read more...] about Prepare to Pivot: Leaf’s Gray Offers Message to Industry in Wake of New Trading Card Player
licensing
Topps Remains MLBPA’s Top Licensee as Union Stockpiles Cash
Topps paid the MLB Players Association $18,768,721 in licensing fees in 2019. That’s according to the union’s annual report with the U.S. Labor Department. The figure represents a $5.6 million increase from 2018 and more than $7 million more than in 2017. The MLBPA receives more money from Topps than any other licensee. While Topps continues its longstanding … [Read more...] about Topps Remains MLBPA’s Top Licensee as Union Stockpiles Cash
Topps, WWE Extend Partnership
The Topps Company has reached a multi-year agreement that extends its global partnership with WWE for licensed trading cards. Topps has featured WWE Superstars since 2005. “We’re excited to see how far we can push the WWE license to bring new and exciting products to fans around the world,” said Topps General Manager and Vice President David Leiner. Specific … [Read more...] about Topps, WWE Extend Partnership
Topps, MLBPA Extend Trading Card License
Four months after announcing an extension of its partnership with Major League Baseball, Topps did the same with the league’s players. The MLBPA and Topps will continue their global trading card partnership. A timeframe wasn’t offered but Topps’ new deal with MLB runs through 2025. “Topps has been a great longtime partner of the MLB Players Association,” said Evan … [Read more...] about Topps, MLBPA Extend Trading Card License
Panini Outlines NFL Plans, Talks Logistics
The lack of competition this year doesn’t mean those who produce football card products at Panini America won’t be busy. The company’s NFL/NFLPA trading card exclusive means they’ll be involved with roughly twice as many programs as in years past. Not every football card product will be in hobby shops. Seven will be retail exclusives and only six will be found at both … [Read more...] about Panini Outlines NFL Plans, Talks Logistics
Notebook: Players’ Unions Report Licensing Fees, Upbeat Market News
Trading card companies are still shelling out big bucks to pro athletes. The NFL Players Association received around $25 million in fees from Topps and Panini for fiscal 2014, a similar figure to what they paid the year before, according to data obtained by Sports Collectors Daily. Meanwhile, the Major League Baseball Players Association reported it had received over … [Read more...] about Notebook: Players’ Unions Report Licensing Fees, Upbeat Market News
Upper Deck Holds On to Notre Dame License; Plans New Products
Panini America has snagged more than 200 schools for licensed trading card products beginning next year, but Notre Dame won't be one of them. The University and Upper Deck announced a multi-year agreement Friday naming Upper Deck as the exclusive provider of cards for Fighting Irish athletic programs. Upper Deck released the first comprehensive set of Notre Dame football … [Read more...] about Upper Deck Holds On to Notre Dame License; Plans New Products
John Wooden Family Signs Licensing Deal
IMG Licensing has signed the Family of legendary basketball coach John Wooden for licensing and endorsements. Following what the company called "an extremely competitive process", IMG Licensing was selected by the Wooden Family to manage endorsement, licensing and media opportunities. IMG represents the "right of publicity" of John Wooden including his name, voice, … [Read more...] about John Wooden Family Signs Licensing Deal
Editor’s Blog: Ichiro, Matsui Jerseys Raise $ For Japan
The Oakland A's raised over $65,000 for Japanese earthquake and tsunami relief through the Japan Heritage Day event Sunday. The game featured the Mariners, featuring Ichiro Suzuki against the A's, with Hideki Matsui in the lineup, The team donated $1 from every ticket sold, and held other fundraising events during the game including the auction of game-worn jerseys from … [Read more...] about Editor’s Blog: Ichiro, Matsui Jerseys Raise $ For Japan
New MLBPA Licensing Director
Major League Baseball Players Association executive director Michael Weiner has announced changes in the staffing structure of the MLBPA business affairs group including the selection of a new trading card director. Tim Slavin, assistant general counsel responsible for business matters, assumes the title of director of business affairs and licensing/senior counsel, … [Read more...] about New MLBPA Licensing Director