Topps to Sell Sports Card Business to Competing Fans


In a deal that will resonate with the collectibles industry, Topps is selling its famous sports card business for an undisclosed price to sports brand Fanatics, which has steadily built a licensing empire.

The deal covers Topps’ sports and entertainment business. In August, Topps lost its licensing deal with Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association to the Fanatics. Sudden loss of a decades-old relationship He killed off Topps’ plans to go public and put his future in doubt.

Topps has owned investment firm Tornante, owned by former Walt Disney Company CEO Michael Eisner and private equity firm Madison Dearborn Partners, since 2007, when the two companies bought it. 385 million dollars.

Mr. Eisner said in a statement that “the strong emotional bond between Topps collectibles and consumers of all ages” will make it a “jewel in the Fanatics portfolio”.

All of the approximately 350 employees working in Topps’ sports and entertainment division will relocate to Fanatics. Topps sells its products in over 100 countries, with physical operations in 10 countries.

Topps’ remaining business, which includes Bazooka gum and gift cards, will now be called Bazooka Companies. These two divisions brought in more than $250 million in sales in 2021.



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