OT Kind of....2010 Topps

[Rich Klein]

As I like buying the cheap packs for the Million Card Giveaway (MCG).

Also, as for a couple of other notes:

Topps was not given a football licence for 2010; I believed when that decision was made that it was a mistake because any of that $$$ would have been put into the 2011 fund in case of strike/lockout. There is a real good chance that ONLY Panini America will produce FB Cards in 2010. Upper Deck *IS* in real trouble (note the article I posted last week about their lack of paying players) and it is believed there is chance they may not survive 2010.

Regards
Rich

[martyogelvie]

Topps is back in the FB card market;

Topps re-enters the football market
Posted by Mike Florio on April 29, 2010 9:46 AM ET
In November, the NFLPA opted not to continue in 2010 its license with Topps. At some point since then, the NFLPA has changed its mind.

Topps has announced today a multi-year arrangement with the NFL and Players Inc., the marketing arm of the NFL Players Association.

"For more than a half century, football fans have been able to connect with the NFL and their favorite players through Topps football cards," Leo Kane, NFL V.P. of consumer products, said in a release issued by Topps. "We look forward to continuing our partnership with Topps, bringing our fans collectibles for many years to come."

On one hand, we're happy about the news. My first tangible exposure to the NFL (apart from watching one or two games per week on one or two of the three television channels that piped through the Zenith console that also served as a large table) came from the wax packs of Topps cards, with the thin pink brick of bubble gum that somehow broke none of my teeth.

On the other hand, we wonder how many folks who were under the impression that Topps was exiting the football card market bought Topps football cards in the past several months. For instance, I bought Florio Jr. the full 2009 set, a purchase I likely wouldn't have made if I didn't believe it would be the final year of an unbroken 50-plus-year chain of Topps football products.

So, thanks, Topps. Though your gum never broke my teeth, your marketing tactics have added another small scar to my soul.