Fanatics just punted Topps in the face, and the cut throat industry continues.

[KingKuba]

Their lifetime contract with Mike Trout will be going to waste if they can't.

Contract is only till he's still playing.

[cjb]

well it's been 3 weeks, has fanatics bought the hockey rights yet?

yes didn't think so

nobody in america cares about hockey

[RGM81]

well it's been 3 weeks, has fanatics bought the hockey rights yet?

yes didn't think so

nobody in america cares about hockey

Can't buy the rights if they're not up for negotiation.

[creasecollector]

Can't buy the rights if they're not up for negotiation.

Do you think it's only a matter of time before they are and Fanatics swoops in with their big $$$$ and gobbles the NHL/PA up?

[mooneyes]

NHL and UD signed a new multi yr deal in 2019 but the term is a mystery.
When it does expire, money will talk, so if Fanatics wants to corner the entire market, they probably will.

[cjb]

I don't think that the baseball rights were up for negotiation seeing that they didn't expire for another 4 years.

[30ranfordfan]

I don't think that the baseball rights were up for negotiation seeing that they didn't expire for another 4 years.

That's very true. I don't have any idea what the terms of the deal are.... or how UD's deal with the NHL might differ from Topps' deal with MLB. No clue when the NHL/PA can start negotiating the next contract.

If Fanatics wants into hockey, I find it more likely they'd buy Upper Deck than trying to out-bid them. Like was mentioned before (or maybe in another thread?) Upper Deck has exclusives with some of the biggest names in the history of Basketball (Jordan, James, Shaq, Magic, Bird, and others) along with Brady, Favre, Montana, and Elway..... Golfers Woods, Nicklaus, and others... plus the hockey roster we all know.

Out of UD, Topps, and Panini - I expect Fantics will buy at least one of them... maybe two, and I suspect there's no real rush (they need to do it before their baseball deal kicks in though)

[Fred Bear]

That's very true. I don't have any idea what the terms of the deal are.... or how UD's deal with the NHL might differ from Topps' deal with MLB. No clue when the NHL/PA can start negotiating the next contract.

If Fanatics wants into hockey, I find it more likely they'd buy Upper Deck than trying to out-bid them. Like was mentioned before (or maybe in another thread?) Upper Deck has exclusives with some of the biggest names in the history of Basketball (Jordan, James, Shaq, Magic, Bird, and others) along with Brady, Favre, Montana, and Elway..... Golfers Woods, Nicklaus, and others... plus the hockey roster we all know.

Out of UD, Topps, and Panini - I expect Fantics will buy at least one of them... maybe two, and I suspect there's no real rush (they need to do it before their baseball deal kicks in though)

After listening to Brian Gray's discussion on Sports Cards Live, I think the most likely scenario is that the license gets challenged or ignored. Gray used the example of Pacific Spanish Baseball released in 1993. It was unlicensed when released and used full pictures, non-airbrushed uniforms, a clear, complete violation. The agreement was to give Pacific a license, not to take Pacific to court.

I have to think Topps' attorneys, Panini's attorneys, and others are going to be more willing to challenge it at this point. Almost no downside...

[mooneyes]

Fanatics rights to Baseball doesn't start until 2026 when the the current license expires.
Nothing shady going on, at least in regards to licensing.

[Rraincock]

Re: unlicensed baseball


Mike Cramer, you rascal!


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