Fanatics takes over exclusive NFL trading card license

Key Points:

• Fanatics, under the Topps brand, will produce fully licensed NFL cards for the first time since 2016, launching a new debut and award-winner patch program featuring unique Rookie PREM1ERE Patch Autograph and NFL Honors Gold Shield Autograph cards.
• The 2025 Topps Chrome Football set, releasing April 15, includes patches from players' first regular-season game jerseys and gold NFL shields from 2024 Associated Press award winners, enhancing fan experience through authentic game-used memorabilia.
• Fanatics secured a 20-year NFL trading card deal following its 2022 acquisition of Topps and exclusive licensing agreements with MLB and the NBA, aiming to innovate relic inclusion with more game-worn merchandise embedded in cards.
• The program highlights award-winning players like Josh Allen, Saquon Barkley, and others, alongside exclusive athletes such as Jerry Rice and Tom Brady, with plans for pack giveaways and live-breaking events at the 2026 NFL draft.
• Fanatics' NFLPA deal has prompted an antitrust lawsuit from Panini, alleging monopoly creation, while Fanatics countersues for unfair competition; both NFL and Fanatics declined to comment on the ongoing litigation.