Reason for MLB exclusive deal with Topps.

Mario1975 · Sep 10, 2012

Well having been a big fan of Upper Deck and Donruss cards growing up and wondering why MLB gave the exclusive license to Topps, I finally thought to find out why. Apparently MLB thought by giving the license to Topps, which at that time was acquired by Eisner, the former CEO of Disney, they could invigorate the market with younger kids. Here's a couple of quotes from Eisner about the deal:

"This is redirecting the entire category towards kids"

"Topps has been making cards for 60 years, the last 30 in a nonexclusive world that has caused confusion to the kid who walks into a Walmart or a hobby store. It's been hard to promote cards as unique and original"

Don't know how products like Five Star, Tier 1, Triple Threads, Tribute, Museum Collection, etc promotes this since even most adults cant afford these cards.

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ThoseBackPages · Sep 10, 2012

Topps is awesome.

you wouldnt be here if not for Topps

cgilmo · Sep 10, 2012

options are awesome

ThoseBackPages · Sep 10, 2012

cgilmo said:
options are awesome

plenty of options

collect something else lol

wolfmanalfredo · Sep 10, 2012

Boom!

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AMAZIN HOF COLLECTOR · Sep 10, 2012

Like to see Donruss come back before Upper Deck!

Mario1975 · Sep 10, 2012

Just think it's kind of disingenuous for Topps to sell the idea of having an exclusive license saying it's to attract kids to baseball and then have almost every new product they make a high end product that no kid could possibly afford.

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Mario1975 · Sep 10, 2012

Thought I was the only Donruss fan.

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uniquebaseballcards · Sep 10, 2012

Even if all the manufacturers were still here, people would still want MORE.

Big problem though - the hobby simply can't support all of it.

ThoseBackPages · Sep 10, 2012

Donruss was great in the 80s!

George_Calfas · Sep 10, 2012

ThoseBackPages said:
Donruss was great in the 80s!

And Topps was great in the 50s

ThoseBackPages · Sep 10, 2012

George_Calfas said:
And Topps was great in the 50s

HELL YEA!

George_Calfas · Sep 10, 2012

uniquebaseballcards said:
Even if all the manufacturers were still here, people would still want MORE.

Big problem though - the hobby simply can't support all of it.

Yet Panini is pushing product and MLB get zero money; good thinking on their part.

All The Hype · Sep 10, 2012

I'll admit that I'm a couple years removed from buying wax, but aren't base Topps packs pushing $3 thees days? One would think that if they truly wanted to get kids more involved, they'd find a way to be creative with some affordable products.

notjomommasclint · Sep 10, 2012

What purpose does breaking the exclusive contract serve for topps or baseball when no one has stopped producing cards?

You can buy any handful of cards with blurred logos and generic outfits..

To gain Favor with the powers that be and move towards a license maybe companies should stop producing knockoff cards. Excel in an area you are allowed to make cards then move into the arena next negotiation period.

Or continue to make 1980s tru value wanna be cards. Whatever..

And before I get the license doesn't matter.. It truly does.

Look across the brands and tell me that non MLB licensed cards sell for the same as their counterparts. They don't.

Yes you can make money off of them I you buy and sell right.. But there isn't the retention of value.

Mario1975 · Sep 10, 2012

Exactly. Topps was full of it and don't think their goal was ever to market to kids. I think they deceived mlb into thinking they would market to kids, especially based on the fact that the owner was the former ceo of Disney, just to get an exclusive license.

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George_Calfas · Sep 10, 2012

While you are correct MLB is getting zero money from Panini etc. MLB was pissed at DLP not Panini and I will bet beer money that MLB will be trying to sell them a license at a reasonable price; the past BS offering was unrealistic and Panini was able to produce more profits with airbrushing.

Mario1975 · Sep 10, 2012

Don't think it's fair to ask all other companies to just not make any baseball cards because they don't have a license. I mean I don't know the figures but I assume baseball card sales might be more than all other sports card sales combined. Also think these other companies can't survive on non baseball alone. Besides, without having to pay for the license, they can sell a lot less and still turn a profit.

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rsmath · Sep 10, 2012

Mario1975 said:
(...) wondering why MLB gave the exclusive license to Topps, I finally thought to find out why.

Try: $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Exclusivity should bring a premium revenue dollar than the revenue from two or more card companies where you lose the exclusivity premium.

matchpenalty · Sep 10, 2012

Mario1975 said:
Well having been a big fan of Upper Deck and Donruss cards growing up and wondering why MLB gave the exclusive license to Topps, I finally thought to find out why. Apparently MLB thought by giving the license to Topps, which at that time was acquired by Eisner, the former CEO of Disney, they could invigorate the market with younger kids. Here's a couple of quotes from Eisner about the deal:

"This is redirecting the entire category towards kids"

"Topps has been making cards for 60 years, the last 30 in a nonexclusive world that has caused confusion to the kid who walks into a Walmart or a hobby store. It's been hard to promote cards as unique and original"

Don't know how products like Five Star, Tier 1, Triple Threads, Tribute, Museum Collection, etc promotes this since even most adults cant afford these cards.

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So you think Topps should just make a bunch 99 cents packs. Then expect to be able to pay HUGE license fees to MLB, Players Association ect.
I love all ensteins here who know how to run a card company. Have all answers. A bunch cheap lines would put any card company out of business in hurry.

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