Topps, NFL agree to multi-year extension
By Susan Lulgjuraj | Beckett Football Editor
Topps and the NFL will be doing business for several more years.
The trading card company announced a multi-year licensing agreement with the NFL in a press release today.
“At Topps, we take great pride in our enduring relationship with the NFL,” Ryan O’Hara, Chief Executive Officer and President of The Topps Company said. “We’re thrilled to know we’ll be in business with the league for years to come.”
Topps has created football-only product since 1951, starting with Magic.
(Related post: First look: 2012 Topps Magic)
The company didn’t sell football cards again until 1955. But Topps has been in the football marketplace ever since – throwing some American Football League and United States Football League cards into the mix along they way, too.
“Our commitment to creating exciting and innovative product is as strong as ever and this deal will allow Topps to continue offering collectors the most sought-after football cards in the industry,” added Doug Kruep, Topps’ Vice President and General Manager, Sports & Entertainment.
Topps released its 2012 flagship football product last week featuring rookies Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III.
“The Topps Company has been a great teammate for decades,” said NFL Senior Vice President of Consumer Products Leo Kane. “We look forward to bringing more fans their product and their proven ability to excite adult and kid fans alike.”
Susan Lulgjuraj is the editor of Beckett Football magazine. You can email Susan here with ideas, comments and questions. Follow her on Twitter here.
That’s great news for collectors.
Not surprising. The NFL is very happy with Topps and Panini as their 2 licensees. Before the whiners start posting about UD, it’s not going to happen. UD’s image in the industry has been tarnished so badly that they’ll be out of business before another major league even considers giving them another shot.
I think Upper Deck might still owe them money.
Certainly last I checked they still owed a number of players for autographs signed.
If that’s the case, I can’t see why they would get a license to compete against the people
that are in fact paying.