Buckle up, sports enthusiasts. Fanatics/Topps is charging full speed towards a new era of sporting magnificence and collector delight. With a blueprint to harness the upcoming NBA and NFL licenses acquisition, the company continues to flex its creative muscles, churning out a plethora of sports card editions. Their recent Industry Conference in Atlanta was a carnival of ambitions, laying bare their roadmap for the coming years relevant to basketball, football, UFC, soccer, and Formula 1 collectibles.

The basketball domain is set to witness a rebirth of sorts with the return of the celebrated Topps Chrome edition, the first of its kind since the 2009-10 season. Collectors should stand ready for potential dance of joy as the much-anticipated return is already making waves with the supposed availability of an autographed card from NBA rookie marvel, Victor Wembanyama. Fanatics/Topps is upping the ante with exclusive autograph contracts from glittering stars, including Wembanyama, LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kevin Durant. Savvy collectors will have their hands full with upcoming basketball product lines, encompassing the Midnight Cosmic, Chrome Finest, Motif, Royalty Collection, Collegiate Chrome, and Bowman U Chrome cards.

In the football arena, Fanatics/Topps aims for diversification by orchestrating its products mostly around college themes. This is a savvy strategic manoeuvre keeping the impending NFL licence at bay until 2026. The soon-to-come football releases are set to feature Motif, Composite, Collegiate Chrome, Collegiate Royalty, Bowman U Chrome and Bowman U Best collections, with a predicted launch window in the third quarter of 2024.

Soccer’s magic is also getting intensified in the form of the Champions League Dynasty product, boasting on-card autographs and match-worn gear. In an unprecedented move that will surely bring joy to many, Fanatics/Topps is introducing patch autographs in a women’s Champions League product. ‘The Grail’ inserts, an all-expense-paid trip to the 2024-25 Champions League Final and the exclusive 1/1 MLS Debut Patches will all be making an appearance across six different soccer products.

In terms of UFC, the genteel art of fighting gets a new lease of life with Fanatics/Topps now donning the UFC licensing mantle. UFC fans will be treated to the exuberant return of the Finest series coupled with premium offerings, including Royal, UFC Midnight, Knockout, and Gold Label products.

Lastly, the F1 lineup from Fanatics/Topps is set to get supercharged with introductions like Paddock Pass, resembling the Stadium Club series but with chrome cards. Other releases containing Topps Chrome Finest, Dynasty and Michael Schumacher cut signatures will add to the delights.

Fanatics/Topps, with its eclectic and audacious game plan, reiterates its commitment towards creating a fuller and a more enriching sports card collecting experience. It appears that fans and collectors can certainly look forward to exhilarating times, with a buffet of vibrant sports card releases coming their way.

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Netflix can breathe easy, as can Goldin Auctions and the minds behind “King of Collectibles.” A copyright lawsuit initiated against them has been thrown out by a federal judge. The disgruntled plaintiff, reality TV alumnus Gervase Peterson, saw a bit too much of his 2019 pitch, “The Goldin Boys,” in the Netflix-acquired show.

Peterson’s major gripe revolved around the eerie resemblance that he purportedly perceived between his original concept and the reality show, which just debuted its second season. Having briefly engaged with Peterson, all communication mysteriously dried up around the middle of 2020. Soon after this silence, a production eerily similar to Peterson’s concept reportedly went into the works. Talk about shades of grey!

In the defendants’ corner, their defense focused on the argument that the disputed reality show was merely a reflection of Goldin Auctions’ daily operations and its founder, Ken Goldin’s personal life. They held their ground stating that the reality show embodied generic themes that the Copyright Act does not protect.

Christine O’Hearn, the New Jersey federal district court’s judge, was all aboard with this perspective. Peterson’s claimed ‘protectable elements’ were no more than scènes à faire in the eyes of the law. For those unfamiliar with the phrase, scènes à faire refers to typical scenes or themes that are so common to a genre that they cannot enjoy copyright protection. Judge O’Hearn underscored this point, noting that ordinary day-to-day operations like those shown on “King of Collectibles” are classic reality TV fodder.

And there’s more — Judge O’Hearn pointed out that previous similar cases have established that real-life subjects and standard reality show elements simply don’t cut the copyright mustard. Her dismissal of Peterson’s case sticks a firm pin in the inflated notion that broad, common reality TV themes and concepts can be copyrighted.

In an ironic twist of fate, “King of Collectibles,” the upstart show that supposedly poached Peterson’s “golden goose,” comfortably jumped the legal fence and even landed a prestigious Emmy nomination. Clearly, not all that glitters is Goldin (pun much intended) — especially in the whirlwind world of reality TV, where one man’s pitch can easily become another’s popular series. With this case being judiciously dismissed, perhaps aspiring reality TV creators will think twice before crying wolf — or, in this case, copyright infringement.

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As we step into the bright crisp days of early May 2024, a heartening buzz is reverberating throughout the sports card market. This clamor compliments the anticipated cascade of card releases spanning a copious range of sports like baseball, basketball, golf, and motor racing. Let’s roll out the table and meticulously break down the who’s who and the what’s what of this scintillating spectacle.

On the first stroke of May, the online-exclusive 2024 Topps Heritage Mini Baseball series comes into play. Shaped like a distant echo of the rare 1975 mini-set, this series returns with a knockout 500-card base set in its arsenal. The Hobby variant promises 24 packs per box, each flaunting nine cards and offering up an autograph or relic, and promises to sweeten the deal with a box loader. The headliner act? This set features a historic Juan Soto’s first-ever autograph in a Yankees uniform.

In icy synchronicity with the baseball series, we get the 2022-23 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection Hockey/ This hockey card collecting staple skates back onto the scene, with each box containing a single pack of four cards. This special package ensures an autograph, one high-end memorabilia or autograph memorabilia card, an extra memorabilia card, and a base or rookie card. All autographs bear the undisputable authenticity of being on-card. Your online shopping cart is waiting to add a box for approximately $160.

May also brings forward roaring rookie cards of Victor Wembanyama with the 2023-24 Panini Recon Basketball release. Each Hobby box unwraps ten packs that contain six cards each, featuring two autographs and 20 inserts.

Entering the second week of May, we get the 2024 Bowman Baseball. Since its heart-stopping revival in 1989, Bowman remains a flagship brand, now spreading its wings across a multitude of sports. The 2024 edition delivers Hobby boxes tied with a glossy ribbon of one Chrome autographed card while Jumbo boxes wrap up three autographs. Retail boxes offer an exclusive green parallel.

Perfectly timed during the NBA playoffs, the 2023-24 Panini Crown Royale Basketball graces the scenario. Each box is a parcel of revelry, with eight cards including one autograph, one memorabilia card, and two inserts or parallels. The primary showstopper is unarguably the Tim Duncan autographs, offering up boxes priced around $500.

Concurrently, the 2024 Upper Deck SP Game Used Golf and the 2023 Panini National Treasures Racing collections make their debuts, offering up a sumptuous spread for golf and racing aficionados.

As we approach the middle of May, the 2023-24 Panini Select Basketball enters the fray. An essential in Panini’s basketball lineup, Select boxes contain a dozen packs. Each pack typifies a treasure trove: five cards featuring three autographs or memorabilia cards. This release distinguishes itself with its Prizm parallels and rookie cards heavy with memorabilia.

For football enthusiasts, watch out for the looming 2023/24 Donruss Soccer series. Although the details about box configurations and special features are still under wraps, the anticipation is fierce.

Be it the traditional sports enthusiasts who prefer baseball and basketball or those seeking a little distinctive assortment like golf and motor racing, the early May card release schedule is a labyrinth of choices. Whether you are planning to diversify or enrich your collection, these exhilarating upcoming releases are certain to compel any collector’s interest.

And so fares the first half of May 2024, swelling with dazzling sports card releases. Stand-out highlights such as Juan Soto’s debut Yankees autograph in the Topps Heritage Mini set and Tim Duncan’s sought-after autographs in the Panini Crown Royale are sure to animate collectors. Each day spirals into an adventure that is eager to unfurl exciting revelations with each flip of a card pack.

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Card collectors rejoice! Fanatics and Topps have brought in an undeniable pinch hitter to break the long-standing speculation about their card distribution. They’ve gotten the renowned audit firm, KPMG, to test the waters — or rather, tear open the packs — in a bid to shed light on the integrity of their trading card distribution. Transparency in pack busting never looked so good.

During the Industry Conference in good ol’ Atlanta, Mike Mahan, CEO of Fanatics Collectibles, stepped up to the plate and announced that KPMG had given their seal of approval on the company’s procedures. Fanatics and Topps are clear of any allegations — high-value cards aren’t intentionally earmarked for specific customers.

Rumors have swirled like a perfect spin in the collector community with some speculating about large-volume customers or prominent card breakers being favored by Fanatics/Topps. Fueling the rumors, videos on social media showing breakers pulling out multiple high-value cards didn’t help dispel concerns about the randomness. But fear not, card enthusiasts! Greg Abovsky, CFO of Fanatics Collectibles, was quick to add a reality check to the debate. Abovsky pointed out that it’s a simple game of probability; high-value pulls are more likely for major breakers due to the large volume they handle.

The auditors from KPMG paid a visit to the Texas printing facility. Peering behind the scenes, they carried out a comprehensive check of the collation process and poured over the production logs. No stone was left unturned or rather no card was left unscrutinized. Confirming the randomness of card distribution, KPMG’s findings lend weight to Topps’ claims. Fanatics have taken a step that is a first in many ways in this industry, aiming to bust myths and confirm the integrity of their distribution process to bolster the trust of the collector community.

Addressing another long-standing suspicion, Abovsky tackled the rumor head-on. He clarified that Fanatics have never specifically stocked boxes with valuable cards for promotional reasons. It seems Fanatics is steadfast in their commitment to shake off rumors and illuminate their practices with unwavering transparency.

In an invigorating display of their dedication to fairness, Fanatics are keen on making the randomness audit a yearly tradition. Committing to annual checks, they’re setting a new standard in the world of trading cards. Anyone suspecting trickery might have to rethink and shuffle their deck of doubts.

In an industry woven with speculation and suspicions, Fanatics’ move to engage KPMG for an independent audit is a game changer. A guarantee of transparency and fairness in card distribution might just be the trump card they need to keep the trust of their collector community. It’s a new tale in this deck of cards, where a bid for transparency could turn up trumps for this pack-busting industry.

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As a wave of nostalgia and anticipation sweeps through the globe, Panini America, the world leader in licensed sports and entertainment collectibles, has seen a massive spike in demand on its website, courtesy of the WNBA’s young sensation Caitlin Clark’s trading card debut. The 2023 Bowman Chrome Platinum Anniversary Baseball collection has certainly caught the eye of collectors, sports enthusiasts, and casual investors alike. The buzz surrounding the grand presentation of its 500-card base set is pretty palpable. The collection includes an impressive array of retired players, emerging talent and contemporary stars, confidently bearing the 2023 brand, indifferent to the incessant whispers about 2024.

When you crack open a box, prepare to be greeted by 96 cards, including an autographed one. A closer look will reveal 24 neatly packed groups, each carrying four cards, making a case home to 12 boxes. But the surprises don’t stop here.

Peel off another layer, and you’ll find six Refractors with numbers as high as 499, plus an X-Fractor. The series offers a colorful palette of parallel cards, assembled thoughtfully to entice the discerning collector with options like Blue Mini-Diamond, Speckle, and an intriguing variety of Platinum Toile shades. You’ll encounter numbered cards ranging from exclusive 1/1 SuperFractors to 199. Some slots, particularly those numbered lower, are case hits, serving to intensify their exclusivity and charm. The parallel cards fun doesn’t stop at the pack’s surface, though. They extend their refracting rainbow right down to the autographed cards, ensuring the thrill of the chase for the extraordinary remains unabated.

Every ten cases bring the rare joy of Refractor parallel packs, while areas of the base cards may hide image variations, piling on to the intrigue and collectibility.

This dream-like labyrinth of cards is set to flood the market on May 22, promising an immersive journey for collectors. It’s a journey that will transport you through the annals of baseball, while effortlessly situating you in the here and now. It’s a collection that appreciates tradition but isn’t afraid to dream – a testament to Panini’s vision that marries the best of the old with the prospects of the new.

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One in the eye for toss-and-lose redemption cards! Topps, a renowned sports card issuer, has recently announced that they’re pulling a game-changing move in the collector’s playground. Instead of the dourly short two-year period of typical redemption card validity, we’re looking at a whopping ten years to cash them in. This strategic play, which kicks in for all sports card releases branded with 2021-2022 and onwards, seeks to tackle the longstanding torment of collectors finding their precious redemption cards from older packs invalidated due to expired autographs.

Delving into the bylanes of collecting, redemption cards have always been somewhat of maze runners. These cards play substitutes for the original autographed cards that weren’t available when the packs were assembled, and has often been a bone of contention in the collector circuit. Their value dwindles the moment they expire, leaving disenchantment in their wake. With Topps deciding to give these cards a lifespan of a decade, it’s like adding a life-jacket to the sinking ship of card value. Using a helpful point of reference, imagine cards issued in 2022; instead of petering into nothingness by 2024, these would hold their ground till 2032.

Not solely a move fostering longevity, Topps’ decision also serves to bubble-wrap the market value of products for a significant while. It further provides collectors a lifeline to redeem their autographed cards without the pressure of a rapidly diminishing deadline, thereby ensuring a less hurried, more fulfilling collector’s journey.

Of course, the true impact of this refreshing policy rides on Topps’ own capacity to deliver what they’ve promised on these cards: the coveted autographs. In the tumultuous track of history, securing these autographs has been a steeplechase event of its own, marred by time-consuming negotiations over compensating the athletes. However, glimmers of optimism are in sight with Fanatics scoring exclusive licenses from major sports player unions, scheduled to begin in 2025. An anticipated by-product of this lies in a smoother, more streamlined process that can enhance product sales while ushering in benefits for everyone lacing their shoes on the game field.

Another uplifting slice of news is the considerable shrinkage in Topps’ backlog of redemptions – a remarkable plunge from 70,000 to less than 10,000 in just twelve months! This indicates a positive, proactive stride towards dealing with one of the most stubborn operational hurdles in the hobby domain.

While the echoes of this indeed promising policy update continually ripple through the sports and collector industry, one thing is sure – Topps’ move is a fascinating exercise in enhancing collector morale, value, and overall experience in the hobby sphere. It redefines expectations, reshapes the process, and roots for a more player-friendly collecting game. This very update might just be a prelude to the new era of collecting cards and a testament to the company’s commitment to address collectors’ concerns. After all, the real art of collecting is not just about piling up the cards but cherishing the thrill and journey of the game.

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As the warm embrace of Spring touches down across the country, a new excitement stirs in the world of baseball – but it’s not coming from the dugout. Rather, it leads us to the considerably less sweaty and refreshingly chill atmosphere of the hobby shop. Enter the behemoth of the card-collecting domain, Bowman, back with a new release of their legendary Chrome Platinum Anniversary Baseball series, providing an irresistible mix of yesteryear charm and the thrill of the latest trends in card collecting.

While for some, baseball cards are just colorful cardboard, collectors see priceless pieces of history. Keeping this in mind, the 2023 edition of Bowman’s Chrome Platinum Anniversary Baseball series serves up a rich roster of 500 cards. It’s like a walk down memory lane with a steely modern edge. A box? Oh, it’s nothing less than an archaeological dig of baseball legends, with every pack offering a delectable assortment of 96 cards, including a guaranteed never-seen-before autograph.

Every box of the 2023 edition invokes the feeling of rummaging through a treasure chest, with their 24 packs each housing four unique cards. With 12 boxes encased in a single case, one can only imagine the joy of uncovering one gem after another. But what truly sets the heart racing are the autographs and the Refractors. Yes, you heard right, each box boasts six Refractors, some of which are numbered as low as 499. Have you found a rare X-Fractor yet? Happy hunting!

Every passionate collector knows the thrill of digging for that one extraordinary find. In this case, it’s a captivating variety of Refractor parallels to chase through card forests, with the Blue Mini-Diamond and Speckle illuminating the trails. If you are lucky, you might stumble upon a special Platinum Toile variant! These limited-edition cards, as elusive as a perfect game pitched in the ninth inning, reveal numbers as exclusive as 1/1 for the SuperFractors.

The depth of richness doesn’t stop there, for there are even more elements of rarity to uncover. Keep an eye out for specialized Refractor parallel packs, considered a hot-ticket item and available only once in every ten cases—a true collector’s white whale. And don’t blink, or you might miss the potential image variations of the base cards that are hidden throughout the series. Even the autographs aren’t basic in this incredible collection. They come complete with their very own parallel versions that remark the unique design and exclusivity of the base card parallels—an item highly prized amongst connoisseurs of card collections.

Mark May 22 on your calendars, collectors. For the grand release of the 2023 Bowman Chrome Platinum Anniversary Baseball series is fast approaching. A blending of nostalgia and the youthful vigor of modern-day baseball card collecting, this series is sure to hit it out of the park with collectors. Whether you are the casual card fan or the fervent collector, this series is your front-row ticket to the world of baseball history, preserved in sparkling chrome and Platinum. As they say in the card-collecting world, “May your pulls be rare and your autographs plenty!”

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As the NBA season barrels towards its electrifying conclusion, there’s a parallel buzz off the court among sports card aficionados. The cause of the commotion is none other than the upcoming drop of the 2023-24 Panini Select Basketball collection. Scheduled to hit the shelves on May 10, this release is aligning perfectly with the peak of the NBA playoffs’ drama, ensuring the eyes of basketball fans and collectors are set to sparkle with excitement.

Let’s talk about the contents of the box — these aren’t your average trading cards. Each hobby box of this year’s series flaunts 12 packs, with each pack containing five cards. These aren’t just any cards; they encapsulate the height of basketball artistry with vibrant designs and dynamic features. There’s a total haul of three autographs or memorabilia cards per box, supplemented with a dozen Prizm parallels which are themselves a collector’s joy. Those looking for a lighter dive can opt for H2 boxes, which contain no guaranteed autographs. Meanwhile, the Mega Boxes and Blasters throw in exclusive parallels unique to those formats, adding a touch of allure and rarity.

The base sets are structured into three levels of increasing scarcity: Concourse, Premier Level, and Courtside – each stepping up in rarity and aesthetic appeal. Card collectors will be particularly eager to chase the parallels. Imagine pulling a Zebra sport-printed card, or even more thrilling, a Gold Glitter card. The fan-favorite Tie-Dye cards are capped at 25 copies each, creating a frenzy among collectors to snag one. Gold cards are limited to just 10, while Green parallels see only five of each made. The pièce de résistance for the lucky few will be the 1/1 Black Finite versions, a true treasure for any collector’s showcase.

Diving into the novelties, this year’s array introduces fresh autograph categories such as Select Few Signatures and Hall Selections Signatures, each with their own parallel variations to heighten the chase. Favorites like Rookie Signatures and Rookie Jersey Autographs remain prominent, celebrating the new crop of NBA talent.

For high-end collectors, additional autograph sets like In-Flight Signatures, Prime Selections Signatures, and Select Pairings Signatures cater to those with a penchant for both style and rarity. Moreover, the patch autographs in the X-Fractor Memorabilia Signatures and Autographed Memorabilia sets provide a touch of cloth from the athletes’ apparel, merged beautifully with their signed cards.

Further pepping up the array are hobby-exclusive inserts including Unstoppable, Select Future, Sensations, Snapshots, and En Fuego. These are not just visually stunning but are peppered with various parallels like Silver Prizm, and for the ultra-rare hunter, 1/1 Black Finite.

For those who thrive on the thrill of chasing near-impossible finds, the inclusion of short-printed inserts such as the nostalgic Color Wheel and the debutant Starcade sends the excitement levels off the charts. These extraordinary pulls can turn an ordinary pack opening into a moment of history for any collector.

With May 10 fast approaching, the anticipation within the collecting community is palpable. The 2023-24 Panini Select Basketball isn’t just another card collection; it’s a celebration of basketball culture, art, and the thrill of the chase—a slam dunk for any collector looking to pull something epic as the NBA season reaches its crescendo. Whether you’re a seasoned shark of the sports card sea or just dipping your toes in the trading card waters, the latest offering from Panini promises not just cards, but stories, legends, and a whole lot of basketball glory. Get ready to rip open the packs and let the games begin!

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In a move that’s making waves across the frosty north, Canadian sports memorabilia aficionados have just been thrown a lifeline in the form of bubble wrap and bureaucracy. NFP, a titan in the property and casualty game, has teamed up with Berkley Asset Protection to roll out a shiny new insurance program. This ain’t your grandma’s homeowner’s policy—this is an iron-clad promise to protect your signed Gretzky jerseys and pristine Conacher rookie cards.

With crime-solving intensity, Greg Dunn, Managing Director of Personal Risk at NFP in Canada, notes that until now, the biggest peril facing collectors wasn’t just spilling poutine gravy on their vintage hockey cards. The real issue was a ghastly gap in coverage leaving many high-value acquisitions dangerously exposed to risk. Picture this: You snag a mint-condition Shutt helmet at auction—only to have it treated by your insurance like a secondhand snorkel set.

The new program plugs these holes faster than a goalie during a shootout. It includes automatic cozy blankets of coverage for new treasures and even safeguards collectibles that are on the move. Imagine that—your newly acquired Joe Carter-signed baseball is protected before it even crosses your threshold.

Olivia Cinqmars-Viau, who wields the lofty title of AVP of fine art underwriting at Berkley Asset Protection, elaborates on the bespoke nature of this offering. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach but rather a tailored tuxedo of protection, stitched precisely for the dimensions of your collection, no matter how eclectic or esoteric.

And it’s not just the insurance geeks and policy wonks who are buzzing. Enter Steve Menzie, president of the Sport Card & Memorabilia Expo. From beneath the brim of his collector’s edition cap, he tips his hat to this innovation. Menzie knows the score: while many collectors view their troves with a sentimental lens, the potential financial loss is as real as a slap shot to the shin. This new shield of insurance is a game-changer, promising to mitigate financial face-offs and put the ‘safe’ back in ‘safekeeping’.

The strategy is clear—a full-ice press to inform and protect. NFP’s Personal Risk team will be lacing up their boots and hitting the ice at Canada’s largest sports collectibles showcase, the Sport Card & Memorabilia Expo in Toronto. From April 25-28, they’ll be weaving through the crowds, ready to break down the Xs and Os of this policy play-by-play.

This jump into memorabilia insurance isn’t just a shot in the dark. NFP is stationed firmly at the red line, backing their new initiative with a vast team; over 1,000 staff in Canada are just part of a global squad boasting more than 8,000 players worldwide. Such depth turns what could be a risky gamble into a calculated strategy. This effort seems not just to score a goal, but to redefine the rulebook on how collectors’ treasures are safeguarded.

Thus, while this program might sound less exciting than the seventh game of a tied Stanley Cup final, its impact could be similarly heart-stopping for those who’ve invested not just funds, but also their hearts into collections that echo with the sounds of triumphant cheers and pucks sliding across the ice. Now, thanks to NFP and Berkley’s collaboration, the heritage and value of these collections can glide a little more safely under the protective glass of fine-tuned insurance policy.

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