TOPPS GETS EXCLUSIVE MLB LICENSE STARTING IN 2010

[KC37]

As someone that is going on 4 years of not opening a UD product (other than the USA sets)...

This isn't good. Even though I disliked most of what they produced, and the arrogance that sprung from that NHL exclusivity deal, having the competition was good.

But, like everything else, this became an industry of trying to outdo each other, first with exclusive technology (chrome), exclusive player deals, and now exclusive sport deals. Frankly, I'm getting tired of it.

As for UD, I know they're releasing 7 NBA products before the NBA exclusive kicks in on Oct. 1. I'm assuming the end of 2009 will have a similar frenzy.

 

[Lars]

It is a pipe dream to believe Topps is actually going to step up their game, now they supposedly have the exclusive agreement with MLB.

Well, I for one think this is a good thing with Topps getting exclusive rights. I truly think that they can now focus on the cards, as opposed to how they need to outmaneuver UD at every pass. Like Jaypers said, which I completely agree, this was done because of the whole UD/Razor fiasco.

That being said, I think now Topps will have better leeway to make logo cards, high end patch cards etc, because they no longer have to compete with UD on purchasing said items. This will only be better for us, as we will still get the high end cards we've been accustomed to via UD.

Topps has a fantastic opportunity to really pick up and run with the ball here, they just need to produce cards that have NOT been a staple of the company, high end patches, logos etc. All I can do is hope they do right by us in that respect. And we all know that UD at this very moment has a team of lawyers deciphering the deal to see how they can continue to make baseball cards without the MLB license. DLP did it, and im 100% sure we'll be seeing UD products well into 2010 despite the exclusive contract. Let's see how this pans out

 

[starwarsfan2003]

That being said, I think now Topps will have better leeway to make logo cards, high end patch cards etc, because they no longer have to compete with UD on purchasing said items. This will only be better for us, as we will still get the high end cards we've been accustomed to via UD.

Why won't Topps be competing with Upper Deck to buy game used items? UD won't be able to PRODUCT/PRINT logos or team names... they can still insert game used items.

Well, considering Topps has exclusive rights for MLB, I was under the assumption they would have deals in place to get first crack at GU'd items... It does make sense though that UD would continue to buy GU as they do have the MLBPA deal in place. Did not think that one out Pharis, maybe I just have really high hopes for Topps to do right by us.

Also, can UD make logo cards if they no longer have a MLB license? I don't think they would be able to, but then again Im no lawyer.

Does anyone know how this deal will affect the MLBPA deal UD has? ANd does anyone think UD knew this was coming down the pike which is why they went after the MLBPA deal?

 

[starwarsfan2003]

It is a pipe dream to believe Topps is actually going to step up their game, now they supposedly have the exclusive agreement with MLB.

Can it really be any worst than what we've had since Donruss left?

Also, can any Hockey fans here confirm that the NHL exclusive for UD was a complete disaster? I've seen a lot of quality product come out from UD Hockey

 

[kentuckyderby]

Anyone who thinks this move wasn't in direct response to Razor throwing down the gauntlet with their exclusives last year is out of their mind.

Until an official representative of Topps refutes this, I will continue to believe it to be the Gospel truth.

If so, was it good or bad for the hobby?
Did what happen last year help or hurt (or neither) the hobby?

As long as my UD USA cards get produced I'm okiedokie

 

[A_Pharis]

starwarsfan: They can insert them ( i believe ). They just can't have the logo in print.

 

[jubei777]

It is a pipe dream to believe Topps is actually going to step up their game, now they supposedly have the exclusive agreement with MLB.

Can it really be any worst than what we've had since Donruss left?

Also, can any Hockey fans here confirm that the NHL exclusive for UD was a complete disaster? I've seen a lot of quality product come out from UD Hockey

well step right up to today with UD's premium hockey product The Cip. Almost all hockey fans who can afford will be all over this. But the thing about UD and hockey is the lack of variety outside their product and really it's only the non-licensced ITG product that listens to collectors when making their product but lacks in the signable names and usable pictures. Variety and competition is always a good thing and having Topps as the only company in town for baseball means to me that I'll only be picking up Bowman Draft as of 2010.

 

[thehamiltonian]

Can it really be any worst than what we've had since Donruss left?

Also, can any Hockey fans here confirm that the NHL exclusive for UD was a complete disaster? I've seen a lot of quality product come out from UD Hockey

I don't know about a complete disaster, but it hasn't been great. Whether it is just general incompetence and lack of attention to detail by UD in general, or if they neglected hockey because they had no competition, I am not sure.

Lots of screwups in proofreading, wrong swatches being inserted into cards, wrong autographs, upside down autographs, etc. Redemptions, crappy customer service, etc.

One might say that that is just UD, which it very well might be, but it sucks when there is no other viable option. And with hockey, there isn't due to the large scale insistence on licensed NHL rookie cards.

 

[Jaypers]

Anyone who thinks this move wasn't in direct response to Razor throwing down the gauntlet with their exclusives last year is out of their mind.

Until an official representative of Topps refutes this, I will continue to believe it to be the Gospel truth.

If so, was it good or bad for the hobby?
Did what happen last year help or hurt (or neither) the hobby?

As long as my UD USA cards get produced I'm okiedokie

At first, I thought it was a bad idea. However, upon further reflection, I reconsidered. More competition spurns better and more creative approaches to future products.

As for this latest news, I really could care less. As you said, as long as the cards themselves get produced that's really all that matters, at least to me. Major league logos are overrated, really. This kind of news didn't hurt products such as SP Prospects and EEE, after all.

I do think this news will encourage UD, Razor and Panini to step up their game as well. So, how exactly does this hurt anyone, truly?

 

[ChasHawk]

That being said, I think now Topps will have better leeway to make logo cards, high end patch cards etc, because they no longer have to compete with UD on purchasing said items. This will only be better for us, as we will still get the high end cards we've been accustomed to via UD.

Why won't Topps be competing with Upper Deck to buy game used items? UD won't be able to PRODUCT/PRINT logos or team names... they can still insert game used items.

Well, considering Topps has exclusive rights for MLB, I was under the assumption they would have deals in place to get first crack at GU'd items... It does make sense though that UD would continue to buy GU as they do have the MLBPA deal in place. Did not think that one out Pharis, maybe I just have really high hopes for Topps to do right by us.

Also, can UD make logo cards if they no longer have a MLB license? I don't think they would be able to, but then again Im no lawyer.

Does anyone know how this deal will affect the MLBPA deal UD has? ANd does anyone think UD knew this was coming down the pike which is why they went after the MLBPA deal?

The problem with all of this, is that all Eisner talked about was making sets for kids.
Those won't incluse logos and patches I don't think.

 

[blitzerlover]

This sucks, UD made some of my favorite products.

 

[brianga26]

This line scares me

can invigorate card collecting, especially with young fans. are we going to get Jonas Brothers and Britney Spears signed cards? WTF.. sorry, bad Idea, and this is not going to work..

 

[gracecollector]

Voice your displeasure!

Write an email to Tim Brosnan, executive vice president for business at Major League Baseball, the man behind this decision.

[email protected]

The best way to let these guys know what you think is to write them direct. If enough people voice their displeasure, change can happen.

I'm pissed and I'm letting Tim know what I think of this monopoly!

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

So I come back from a post-Cleveland trip down South and this is finally reported. Something I assumed almost a year ago and it makes perfect sense. Upper Deck has made their bed in this hobby, and as far as I am concerned, it couldn't have happened to a nicer company. Now if Bryan Price could just get that NHL license back and force Upper Deck to drown in their $300 Ken Griffey autographed 8x10s I would be complete.

The biggest news is yet to come when MLBP officially announces who they have decided to give the Minor League Baseball license to, and then to discuss what it means to the companies who don't get it. That's the news that will get this board wound up. With the majority of members being self-proclaimed "prospectors" - Upper Deck really hasn't ever been relevant outside of resurrection of SP Prospects in 2004.

Even though this is "going forward into the past", I think this will be a better thing.

 

[Jaypers]

With the majority of members being self-proclaimed "prospectors" - Upper Deck really hasn't ever been relevant outside of resurrection of SP Prospects in 2004.

I hope you're not forgetting about the most recent USA boxed sets, as well as 2008 Sweet Spot and SPA, which also contained USA autos and GU.

Safe to assume that Strasburg and Harper made these products relevant again.

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

With the majority of members being self-proclaimed "prospectors" - Upper Deck really hasn't ever been relevant outside of resurrection of SP Prospects in 2004.

I hope you're not forgetting about the most recent USA boxed sets, as well as 2008 Sweet Spot and SPA, which also contained USA autos and GU.

I haven't forgotten about those, but I neglected to consider them relevant because the USA stuff is always played off as irrelevant by some upon release and almost 2nd rate when compared to the other possibilities that come out. Obviously in cases like Strasburg and Harper...the USA stuff is it, but honestly, outside of a few players...the USA stuff dies very quickly.

 

[ChasHawk]

Voice your displeasure!

Write an email to Tim Brosnan, executive vice president for business at Major League Baseball, the man behind this decision.

[email protected]

The best way to let these guys know what you think is to write them direct. If enough people voice their displeasure, change can happen.

I'm pissed and I'm letting Tim know what I think of this monopoly!

email sent! good idea!

edit: nvm - address was rejected by my mailer daemon :evil:

 

[trademhigh]

Voice your displeasure!

Write an email to Tim Brosnan, executive vice president for business at Major League Baseball, the man behind this decision.

[email protected]

The best way to let these guys know what you think is to write them direct. If enough people voice their displeasure, change can happen.

I'm pissed and I'm letting Tim know what I think of this monopoly!

email sent! good idea!

edit: nvm - address was rejected by my mailer daemon :evil:

It is [email protected] i believe. I typed in [email protected] into google and it said did you mean [email protected]? So, I'm guessing it's brosnan not tbrosnan.

 

[ChasHawk]

Voice your displeasure!

Write an email to Tim Brosnan, executive vice president for business at Major League Baseball, the man behind this decision.

[email protected]

The best way to let these guys know what you think is to write them direct. If enough people voice their displeasure, change can happen.

I'm pissed and I'm letting Tim know what I think of this monopoly!

email sent! good idea!

edit: nvm - address was rejected by my mailer daemon :evil:

It is [email protected] i believe. I typed in [email protected] into google and it said did you mean [email protected]? So, I'm guessing it's brosnan not tbrosnan.

rejected as well :evil:

 

[caseya10781]

I just think that we as collectors need to have a coup, bring back buddy bands, Donruss baseball cards, Nintendo, Jamz shorts, Reebok pumps and roll this beyotch back to a time when cards were still fun......who's with me?

Wait. I wear that normally. Guess I'm ahead of the curve.

I thought so.

:lol: