General Forum

Still not exactly sure of what to expect as far as the outcome of all this, but at least it sounds like there may still be "Topps" sets produced.  I was pretty let down thinking that the tradition of Topps baseball was over.  

Doubly so since they are trying to bring a lot of the third party stuff like grading and trading in house to get a cut on that action as well. I'm glad that Topps won't be going away, but I am not excited for what Fanatics has planned.

To me, best case scenario Topps keeps plugging along like it is (for better or for worse), only change is we'll get a bunch more add inserts plugging whatever Fanatics is shilling. I'm glad that sets like flagship, A&G, Archives etc have a path to continuation, but I'm with those that don't expect any improvement or innovation. Big "MEH" from me.

I would love to see the return of Topps Chrome Football.

I don't know what to think other than competition is good. My wish is that someone will target an inexpensive set that can appeal to young kids and collectors who don't want to spend a ton of money but I don't believe that makes the most sense to the bottom line.

If anyone is curious looks like Fanatics paid $500 Mil for Topps. 

Personally I had figured Fanatics would have ended up buying Topps, Panini or Upper Deck eventually.  I mean Panini bought Donruss to solidify itself in the US market back in 2009.  I had thought that trying for Upper Deck would be an interesting move for Fanatics to aquire the NHL properties as well.  I'll save my doom and gloom till it's warrented, but I am excited to have Topps Football back.  Upper Deck as survived in it's own niche with Hockey and Non-sport for over a decade now, I suspect Panini can do the same with WWE, non-sport, and soccer, but it most likely won't be the juggernaut it had become.    In the end I'm happy I'll still have Topps flagship baseball to put together and maybe Topps flagship football again.  And if it all goes to hell there's still over 100 years of vintage to collect.

and chrome basketball !

mark

this Cynical Buddha comment above deserves / inspires [?] it's own thread / poll

what does the hobby want to see as the next move, after Fanatics buying Topps

1. nothing

2. Fanatics / Topps buys Panini

3. Fanatics / Topps buys Upper Deck

4.  Panini & Upper Deck Merge

cynicalbuddha wrote:

If anyone is curious looks like Fanatics paid $500 Mil for Topps. 

Personally I had figured Fanatics would have ended up buying Topps, Panini or Upper Deck eventually.  I mean Panini bought Donruss to solidify itself in the US market back in 2009.  I had thought that trying for Upper Deck would be an interesting move for Fanatics to aquire the NHL properties as well.  I'll save my doom and gloom till it's warrented, but I am excited to have Topps Football back.  Upper Deck as survived in it's own niche with Hockey and Non-sport for over a decade now, I suspect Panini can do the same with WWE, non-sport, and soccer, but it most likely won't be the juggernaut it had become.    In the end I'm happy I'll still have Topps flagship baseball to put together and maybe Topps flagship football again.  And if it all goes to hell there's still over 100 years of vintage to collect.

I have been reading that Fanatics have rached a deal with the NFLPA.  I have not seen anthing stating that Fanatics have reached a deal with the NFL.  For both baseball and basketball Fanatics have reached deals with both the leagues, and their respective player unions.  Does this mean that Panini will contine producing football crds with the team logos?  In this case Fanatics will produce football card without the team logos.  This is like Panini did for baseball the last several years.  In the meantime I am just waiting to see what happens to the trading card market.  Whatever happens I hope that more football players have cards produced of them.

I am glad that Upper Deck is still continuing with hockey.  Upper Deck does a great job with hockey.