Fanatics Enters The Baseball Trading Cards Market

In August 2021, Fanatics made headlines when it acquired the rights to produce trading cards for Major League Baseball from Topps, and later purchased the company for roughly $500 million. With the release of its first major Topps set at the start of the 2023 MLB season, Fanatics has big plans to increase excitement and value for card collectors, particularly around rookie cards.

Fanatics Collectibles CEO Mike Mahan stated that the company is focused on providing the best collector experience possible through education, marketing, enhancing the existing ecosystem, and innovation. One such innovation is the introduction of MLB Debut Patches, which are the first-ever memorabilia made in partnership with a pro sports league specifically for inclusion on trading cards. Every player who makes their debut this season will have a patch on their jersey that will be authenticated and placed directly onto their rookie card in a future Topps set.

This initiative is part of Fanatics’ larger plan to increase the value of Topps baseball cards for collectors and continue the momentum in the collectibles boom, which has seen record prices for trading cards such as a $12.6 million sale for a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card.

Where to buy Trading Cards?

There are several places where you can buy rookie baseball cards. Some popular options include online marketplaces such as eBay and Amazon. You can also check out your local card shop or local card show to see if they have any rookie cards available for purchase. Additionally, there are online marketplaces and auction houses that specialize in sports collectibles where you may be able to find rookie cards.  There are also specialized auction houses such as PWCC Marketplace ² and Mile High Card Company  that deal with sports collectibles.