Is Topps Returning To Basketball? – Sure Looks Like It

Athletes and celebrities showing off cards on social media that they recently signed for upcoming products isn’t anything new.  But one image has been floating around the internet this week which has a lot of collectors talking.

Former Kentucky Wildcats guard Tyler Herro posted a video which shows three stacks of cards he signed.  What has people all in a buzz is that they seem to be Topps cards.  Topps Chrome to be exact.

Topps hasn’t produced a basketball product since 2009-10.  Panini currently has an exclusive NBA and CLC license.  These cards obviously don’t have any licensed team names and/or logos.

By the looks of it, Topps is working on an unlicensed basketball draft picks Topps Chrome set that features autographs.  With all of the hype around Zion Williamson, Topps seems to have decided to get back into the basketball card business.

Its very possible that a company like Topps could sign Zion Williamson to an exclusive autograph agreement even though they currently don’t have an NBA and/or CLC license.  Upper Deck has done this with Ben Simmons and Michael Jordan in the past.

When the Topps Industry Conference was held earlier this year, rumors were flying around that Panini is deathly afraid that something like this might happen with Zion Williamson.  It doesn’t look good when the exclusive NBA licensed card manufacturer (Panini) can’t strike a deal with the #1 draft pick.

We don’t have any specific details yet.  These cards could be distributed in a number of ways.

COME TO TOPPS ZION!!!

Card of the Day: 1959 Fleer Indian – Eskimo Returning To His Igloo #78

Q & A – Returning To The Hobby?

Question: I just got into collecting cards again. I collected when I was a kid, and now I am starting to invest in football cards. I have some quick and easy questions. Why are some cards serial numbered, IE: 219/300? What does the serial number mean? What company would be the best to buy hobby boxes of? Which Beckett should I get, monthly or semi-annually?  Do you think the 3 ring 9 card pages keep cards in good condition? Thank you ahead of time for your answers!!

Answer: Glad to hear that you’re getting back into collecting.  A serial number such as “219/300” means that there are 300 copies of that specific card printed.  There are other serial numbers such as 1/5, 100/1000, etc….  The three major manufacturers of football cards would be Topps, Upper Deck, and Donruss/Playoff.  My personal favorite company is Donruss/Playoff, but everyone has their favorite.  If you’re looking for college cards, Press Pass and SA-GE mainly manufacturer those.  As for Beckett, many collectors have their own opinions about the company.  Collectors don’t really use their price guide anymore because collectors mainly go with what cards sell for on eBay.  You can read it for the articles, but if you are looking for something better I would suggest reading hobby blogs for free on the internet.  Websites such as Sports Card Info, Wax Heaven, Stale Gum, and a whole list of others run by collectors receive product information and news a lot faster than waiting for it in print format.  I think its fine to store cards in 9-slot album pages and placed in a 3-ring binder.  I have many cards stored like that.  Congrats on returning to the hobby!