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...]
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...]
Players Weekend Uniforms Will Be Auctioned For Charity
Player names on the back of New York Yankees’ uniforms? Blasphemy! But it’s for a good cause, so even the ghosts of the Babe, the Iron Horse, the Yankee Clipper and the Mick will not get a rise when they see “All Rise” on the back of Aaron Judge’s No. 99 jersey. Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association announced Players Weekend for Aug. 25-27, … [Read more...]
Chantilly, Toronto, San Francisco Shows Draw Signers
The second week of April was a popular one for major show promoters. In Chantilly Virginia, CSA Shows had an expanded show floor and a large list of signers coming through the Dulles Expo center. Luke Kuechly signing for fans today at The Chantilly Show pic.twitter.com/IZRkxCfgnw — CSA Shows (@CSASHOWS) April 9, 2016 The Sports Card Expo in the Toronto area always … [Read more...]
Ramblings: Year of the Rookie Card
Is it just me, or have the last few baseball seasons exhibited a fairly remarkable renaissance for great young baseball players? Perhaps we will look back on this 2015 season as the pinnacle of the recent rookie classes. So far in 2015, nine of the top 15 prospects entering this season have already been called up the majors and will certainly have rookie cards in all the Topps … [Read more...]
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...]
1971 Milk Duds Set Not a Dud With Collectors
Bubble gum and baseball cards are forever linked but, as most collectors know, there have been many other food products involved with cardboard memories of the national pastime. Bread wrappers, candy bar wrappers and backers, popcorn holders, even meat products are among the edible goodies that have used baseball cards as incentives. But not all food-related baseball items are … [Read more...]
2011 Bowman Draft Picks and Prospects Box Break
by Rich Klein First of all, I apologize for the long delay in writing this review. As we discussed in a previous Rich's Ramblings, life took a turn (or in my case a t-bone without the steak) and I have been on the hobby DL for a while. Needless to say, box reviews come second to health issues. The other aspect that came out of the car wreck was the return of car payments. … [Read more...]