OT Kind of....2010 Topps

[FUBAR]

I will probably do Topps football this year, but not baseball. I also did Topps UFC this year, which i am very very happy with. Highly recommended if you watch the UFC

[sbfinley]

Originally Posted by FUBAR

I will probably do Topps football this year, but not baseball.

I could be wrong but I think I heard Topps lost it's NFL contract. Bummer because Topps Chrome football was one of the few modern sets I purchase yearly.

[whitehse]

Originally Posted by sbfinley

I could be wrong but I think I heard Topps lost it's NFL contract. Bummer because Topps Chrome football was one of the few modern sets I purchase yearly.

Topps did lose the NFL license but there is a rumor going around that they will be back this year. I guess we have to stay tuned for an announcement in the next few days!

[ChrisStufflestreet]

Losing an NFL license didn't stop Topps from making football cards between 1970-1981, they just used head shots and airbrushed the logos off of helmets (well, except the Browns and the left side of the Steelers' helmet). Perhaps we'll see more of that with their next issues.

[Jantz]

Dan

If I were you, I would just buy a factory set. There are so many shortprints and variations that building a set by hand could turn into a nightmare. Not to mention that when you buy a pack with 10 cards inside, 5 of those cards are inserts which won't get you any closer to finishing your set.

If you do decide to build a base set, let me know. I have quite a few friends that collect modern cards and probably could help you complete your set when you get down to those last few needed.

By the way, I built a 2009 Topps T206 Anniversary set last year. After opening a box (20 packs), I still needed 168 base cards and 45 shortprints to finish the set. The cards are nice and it was fun to build, but it took some time and money to locate and buy the shortprints.

Hope this helps

Jantz

[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.

[fgoodwin]

Originally Posted by ChrisStufflestreet

Losing an NFL license didn't stop Topps from making football cards between 1970-1981, they just used head shots and airbrushed the logos off of helmets (well, except the Browns and the left side of the Steelers' helmet). Perhaps we'll see more of that with their next issues.

They were able to do that because that had a license with NFLPA to use the players' facial images. But NFLPA did not renew its license with Topps for 2010, although that too could change (not saying I've heard anything, just speculating).

[Rich Klein]

Topps sent out a press release today and they worked out a deal with the NFL and NFLPA so there will be 2010 Topps football products

Regards
Rich

[drc]

I'm not a modern card collector but like Topps Chrome. I'll pick up a few packs when I have the chance.