Topps is still struggling with supply chain issues as it works to maintain its trading card releases, but also announced plans for a large group of new products in 2022.
On the final day of its Industry Conference in Chandler, AZ Tuesday, Topps gave shop owners, distributors and others in attendance an overview of what to expect for the remainder of the year and took questions from audience members.
The company indicated that ongoing supply chain backup has delayed 13 2021-branded products that have yet to reach the market.
Those issues aren’t stopping Topps from planning expansions in a variety of areas.
Bowman University Basketball, Football NIL Products
Topps plans more trading cards of college athletes through its new Bowman University platform. Look for both basketball and football releases, featuring athletes the company has signed through Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals. College football stars like Bryce Young and Kenny Pickett and basketball standouts such as Chet Holmgren, Shaedon Sharpe and Keegan Murray will be among those with cards and autographs.
The products will be built similarly to Topps’ current Bowman lines, with both chrome and regular or “paper” cards and 1st Bowman designations for featured athletes.
Both products are expected this summer, with relatively modest price points, “limited” distribution and two Chrome autographs per box.
New Baseball Products
*Look for a summer release of Topps Gilded Collection Baseball, a product Topps called a “bite size” version of its pricey Transcendent release.
*Topps is bringing its Dynasty brand to Minor League Baseball, with a November release date. It’s the first high-end MiLB release, featuring one encased autographed relic card. Both prospects and minor league cards of big league greats will be featured.
*Stadium Club Members Only Derek Jeter will be a Transcendent-like product due out in June, with 14 Jeter autos per box and a meet-and-greet invitation—at a Transcendent-like price.
*Topps Cosmic Chrome Baseball, planned for November with a space-focused design.
*A Bowman Chrome soccer product focused on the top U21 prospects across Europe’s National Associations will arrive this summer with one auto per box. It’ll be the first Bowman Euro soccer release.
*Topps Chrome Tennis is planned for the summer, again with a relatively low price point. Produced in partnership with the International Tennis Hall of Fame, it’ll include the first cards for young stars Coco Gauff and Emily Raducanu.
*Premier Lacrosse League and “Athletes Unlimited” boxes ( a mix of athletes from various sports including basketball, softball and volleyball) are also in the works.
International Trading Card Day
National Baseball Card Day is becoming International Trading Card Day. Topps is opening its hobby shop promotion to Japan, where it recently opened a new office, as well as the UK and Germany.
Participating stores will give away free packs, but now customers can choose whether to receive baseball, UEFA Champions League, Star Wars or Garbage Pail Kids.
The program takes place on August 6.
Misc.
You can also look for Topps to have a larger presence at sporting events, thanks to Fanatics’ partnerships with teams and leagues.
Topps officials stated they’re also continuing to work on blocking shopping bot traffic to its online releases in hopes of keeping them available to more collectors.
Another of the print-on-demand “Project” series is in the works called Project 100 (following Project 2020 and Project 70). No details on that yet.
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