The trading card company Topps, responsible for sports trading cards, Garbage Pail Kids GPK Nation Challenge coins, Topps Digital, Allen & Ginter, Bowman and former owner of WizKids, has been bought for $500 million.
The buyer is the sports clothing company Fanatics, which have a trading card business of their own called Fanatics Trading Cards valued at around $10 billion.
Topps was owned by ex-Disney boss Michael Eisner via a private investment company called Tornante.
Fanatics is also privately owned and, by Michael Rubin, bought the exclusive rights to manufacturing trading cards for MLB, NBA and NFLPA this year. That deal comes into place in 2026.
Michael Rubin told the press;
With trading cards and collectibles being a significant pillar of our long-term plans to become the leading digital sports platform, we are excited to add a leading trading cards company to build out our business. Their iconic brand, commitment to product excellence and passionate employees worldwide will allow us to immediately serve our league and players’ association partners and our fans.”
Topps has operations in 10 countries, including the United Kingdom, in Germany, Brazil, Italy and Japan.
No immediate changes to Topps’ senior staff are expected, with 350 Topps employees becoming part of Fanatics Trading Cards and leadership reporting directly to Dog Mack of Fanatics, the vice-chairman and Fanatics Commerce CEO.
Michael Eisner explained;
The strong emotional connection between Topps collectibles and consumers of all ages – built through 70 years of tradition, starting with the Shorin family – will make it a jewel in the Fanatics portfolio. Michael Rubin is the perfect entrepreneur to lead this company forward. Like any crown jewel, I and my partners at Madison Dearborn will miss our many years of ownership where we grew a highly profitable business through strategic licensing partnerships, global expansion, and digital transformation. We’re proud of what the Topps team has accomplished, and we look forward to seeing what Michael and his team do to continue growing the Topps collectible business while staying true to its iconic history and relevance to consumers.”
Topps previously owned Shadowrun and classic Battletech when it owned WizKids, which they bought in 2003 for around $30m in cash. However, Topps couldn’t make the business work and shut it down in 2008. In 2009, NECA bought WizKid’s assets and name.
Via Business Wire.
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