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Originally Posted by Snowman
I read somewhere that Topps was actually given the opportunity to match the Fanatics offer but that it was ~10x the valuation of Topps' prior agreement with MLB/MLBPA and they simply couldn't compete.
I suspect most of the squeeze by Fanatics will come from the distribution channels. I think this is most likely to hurt local card shops and breakers.
Very interesting question. I could definitely see something like this happening. Especially in the modern era where most households have streaming services. They could just skip local broadcasts altogether and create their own version of Netflix for sports.
Whatever they do for sports cards and TV content going forward though, I think we'll see them contracting/licensing that out, or acquiring companies like Topps or Panini. Why build from the ground up when you can just buy it from someone else who already specializes in it and who almost certainly does it better?
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See my previous post referencing articles quoting Topps Executive Chairman, does not sound like they had any fair chance to bid.
And regarding Fanatics having to start building a card prep business from scratch, others had already pointed out to me that they already do create and distribute some type of cards. Plus they have a few years yet before they take over the licenses, which also gives them time to possibly steal people away from Topps or others. Will be interesting.