There were never any contracts that provided a player could not authorize the use of their likeness in any other context. Topps and Bowman used contracts that purported to provide for the exclusive use of a player's likeness marketed with gum, candy or confections....the products both were peddling. Candy proved to be pretty messy
After Bowman was bought by Topps subsequent market entrants such as Fleer and Leaf could have always marketed cards with no insert, or with an insert other than gum and confections. But the market, kids, seemed to expect something. Fleer tied horrible cookies and Leaf tried marbles. Neither made a dent in the cards with gum market
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