1. You Down With MDP? Talking to Topps employees you often hear the phrase “internal red tape”. It speaks to the tight budget control the private equity ownership deploys at Topps. Madison Dearborn Partners and other private equity firms attempt to squeeze profits out of a business and then sell it later on. That’s not…
Topps Employee: When a redemption card is put into a product, we generally have an agreement with each respective athlete to sign cards for us. However, an athlete’s schedule, agent, desired compensation, etc. are all subject to change and greatly affect our inability to insert the particular card in. [divider style=’left’] Topps Employee: Unfortunately, this…
Sell Special Cards on COMC Topps lost money on the now defunct eTopps. I actually thought it was a good idea at the time, but the expenses behind running an operation like that has got to be pricey. One solution to some of the costs is if Topps just had to print the cards and…
It’s a really bad idea to open a sports card store. No really, it is. The idea of running a store like that might be appealing to the mind. You get to hang out all day talking sports, be your own boss, make your own decisions, and become a small business owner. The American Dream….
Down Arrows on Topps Since 2007 When Madison Dearborn Partners purchased Topps in 2007 for $385 million it was seen as a solid deal for the private equity firm. That was before the financial collapse of 2008. Some financial experts suggest Topps is apart of a larger fund that has performed poorly for Dearborn. It’s…
UPDATE – MAY/JUNE 2014 Collectors started to receive their Gold Baseballs in late May – early June 2014. The first one listed for sale on eBay was priced at $5,000 or best offer. Letter of Authenticity THE TOPPS COMPANY, INC. This letter certifies that this MLB Baseball was Autographed by Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and…
I’ve spent the last few weeks watching a multitude of “group breakers” on Vaughn Live hawk their items for sale. The group breakers are performing the break, live, on the free streaming website. There is a chat box so that everyone watching can comment or bargain with the breaker. On any given night, there…
Day #1 At The NSCC In Rosemont, IL Wednesday July 31, 2013 #NSCC Hashtag Tweets @SportsCardNews @natsportsshow 2013 Show Information – Tips – Wrapper Redemption Info + More NSCC Location: 9301 Bryn Mawr Ave, Rosemont, IL 60018 Donald E Stephens Convention Center – Google Map According to the NSCC Official Website – The Wednesday Show Hours…
2013 National Show Chicago NSCC Show Dates: 7/31/2013 – 8/4/2013 Donald E Stephens Convention Center – Rosemont, IL Wednesday 7/31/2013 4pm-8pm – Day 1 Links & Info Thursday – Saturday 10am-6pm Sunday 8/4/2013 10am-5pm The big show! Hitch a ride and get yourself to Chicago for all the fun at the National Sports Collectors Convention….
Ever hear of a grown adult, someone in their 30’s, that started to collect cards…… when they were never exposed to them as a kid? There are probably some out there. But probably not many. We all have heard the story “I just got back into collecting after a __________ year break.” I always greet…
2013 NFLPA Rookie Photo Shoot Date: May 2013 – Pasadena, CA Where’s the Photo Shoot: Rose Bowl Stadium – May 18 Who: 40 Top Rookies From 2013 NFL Draft Why: Sign Autographs & Take Pictures For Panini & Topps Twitter Coverage: @SportsCardNews #RookiePremiere PHOTO GALLERY: Facebook Album At the 2013 NFLPA Rookie Premiere Photo shoot…
Day #3 At The Industry Summit In Las Vegas, NV Tueday March 19, 2012 Official Website Schedule Of Events #LVIS Hashtag Tweeters @SportsCardNews @Industry_Summit Day 1 Links – Tweets & Info Day 2 Links – Tweets & Info Basically what happened on Tuesday were numerous corporate addresses by manufactures that included interesting facts and…
Day #2 At The Industry Summit In Las Vegas, NV Monday March 18, 2012 Official Website Schedule Of Events #LVIS Hashtag Tweeters @SportsCardNews @Industry_Summit Day 1 Links – Tweets & Info Day #3 Links – Tweets & Info Monday is almost the official kick-off day for the Industry Summit. It’s a day filled…
Day #1 At The Industry Summit In Las Vegas, NV Sunday March 17, 2012 Official Website Schedule Of Events Day 2 Links & Info Day 3 Links & Info #LVIS Hashtag Tweeters @SportsCardNews @Industry_Summit Sunday is a day where many people are still flying in or traveling to the Las Vegas Industry Summit. But…
2013 Canada National Hockey Card Day When: Saturday February 9, 2013 What: Free 5 Card Upper Deck Pack Canada Only! Participating Certified Diamond Dealers Only! 1 Jaden Schwartz – Canada RC 2 Tyson Barrie – Canada RC 3 Carter Ashton – Canada RC 4 Mark Stone – Canada RC 5 Casey Cizikas – Canada RC 6…
It all began when brothers Benito and Giuseppe Panini were in Italy running a newspaper distribution business and in 1960 bought a bunch of soccer player stickers (called figurines) from someone in Italy who couldn’t find a way to sell them. The brothers re-packaged them and in one year sold 3 million packs and…
Becoming a sports card manufacturer would be tough. Could you imagine going up in front of the investors on Shark Tank pitching a new line of sports cards? You’d probably be laughed off the floor. Considering that entry into the major sports card market is regulated, meaning, if you don’t get a license with one…
2012-13 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Wrapper Redemption Available @ Certified Diamond Dealers in Canada Product Release Date: 8/14/2012 Product Checklist: 2012-13 Upper Deck O-Pee-Chee These are limited! Per Wrapper Redemption Pack: 5 Red Border Parallels – (From O-Pee-Chee Base Set) 1 All-Star Insert Card – 50 Total Cards 50 Wrapper Needed For Each Pack 2012-13 Upper Deck…
2012 NSCC Show Topps Wrapper Redemptions Long line….of dealers…. More 2012 #NSCC Show Coverage: Day 1 Links – Photo Albums – Video – More Day 2 Links – Photo Albums – Video – More Day 3 Links – Photo Albums – Video – More Day 4 Links – Photo Albums – Video – More Day…
Day #5 At The NSCC In Baltimore, MD Sunday August 5, 2012 #NSCC Hashtag Tweets @SportsCardNews @AllAboutCards @FieldLevelView @natsportsshow @Twitter List Of Attendees NSCC Location: 1 W Pratt Street – Baltimore, MD 21201 – Google Map According to the NSCC Official Website – The Sunday Show Hours Are 10am – 5pm EST Sunday August 5th…
Day #4 At The NSCC In Baltimore, MD Saturday August 4, 2012 #NSCC Hashtag Tweets @SportsCardNews @AllAboutCards @FieldLevelView @natsportsshow @Twitter List Of Attendees NSCC Location: 1 W Pratt Street – Baltimore, MD 21201 – Google Map According to the NSCC Official Website – The Saturday Show Hours Are 10am – 6pm EST Saturday August 4th…
Day #3 At The NSCC In Baltimore, MD Friday August 3, 2012 #NSCC Hashtag Tweets @SportsCardNews @AllAboutCards @FieldLevelView @natsportsshow @Twitter List Of Attendees NSCC Location: 1 W Pratt Street – Baltimore, MD 21201 – Google Map According to the NSCC Official Website – The Friday Show Hours Are 10am – 6pm EST Friday August 3rd…
Topps employees held a discussion with dealers but mostly collectors from around the industry at the 2012 National Sports Collectors Convention on Thursday. Ryan from Sports Card Radio attended the event, and tweeted lots of the topics that were discussed. A video of the event might be posted as well – but here are the…
Day #2 At The NSCC In Baltimore Thursday August 2, 2012 #NSCC Hashtag Tweets @SportsCardNews @AllAboutCards @FieldLevelView @natsportsshow @Twitter List Of Attendees NSCC Location: 1 W Pratt Street – Baltimore, MD 21201 – Google Map According to the NSCC Official Website – The Thursday Show Hours Are 10am – 6pm EST Thursday August 2nd Autograph…
The 1st of August marks the first day of the National Sports Collectors Convention (NSCC) According to the NSCC Official Website – The Wednesday Show Hours Are 4pm – 8pm EST NSCC Location: 1 W Pratt Street – Baltimore, MD 21201 – Google Map Manufactures, collectible shops, big time athletes and most importantly collectors from…
Arizona Diamondbacks Trevor Bauer MLB Debut: June 28, 2012 1st Autograph Rookie Logo Cards: 2012 Topps Finest Baseball Trevor Bauer is a unique pitcher and a guy who has been on the radar of card collectors even before he was picked #3 overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2011 MLB Draft. He is known…
Picture: National Website 2012 National Show Baltimore NSCC Show Dates: 8/1/2012 – 8/5/2012 Day 1 Coverage HereCard Show Calendar 2012 Baseball Card Show Calendar Day 2 Coverage Here Day 3 Coverage Here Day 4 Coverage Here Day 5 Coverage Here The 2012 National Sports Collectors Convention in Baltimore Maryland will be the largest card show…
Universal Distribution Retailer Summit Monday – June 18, 2012 Details: Universal Distribution Marriott Hotel – Montreal, Canada Hotel Information Link Universal Distribution is one of the leading distributors of sports and gaming related products in all of Canada. On Monday June 18, 2012 Universal Distribution will be holding an exclusive retailer summit at the Marriot…
2012 Panini Promotions Fathers Day Cards Release Date: June 17, 2012 The marketing team at Panini does a good job. The Black Friday promotion last year was a stroke of genius and can really generate some buzz not only in the hobby shop, but also online when the cards get sold. Panini Father’s Day cards…
2012 NFL Rookie Photo Shoot Dates: May 16-20, 2012 – Los Angeles, CA Photo Shoot Presented By Nike NFLPA Press Release Key Points: 35 Top NFL Rookies Invited Photo shoot to get pictures in new Nike NFL uniforms Sign Autographs for all major 2012 Football Card Sets Wear Event Worn Jerseys for all 2012 Sets…
Not long ago most companies were laying off people and looking to cut costs, now with the economy slowly picking up steam, we’re seeing more job openings in the sports card industry than ever before. That’s good news if you collect cards + need a job! Like many open jobs across the country today, only…
2011 Leaf Ink Baseball Release Date: December 20, 2011 5 Cards Per Box 5 Autographs Per Pack 110 Factory Sealed Cases Produced 12 Boxes Per Case Buyback Signed Cards Leaf has been on a buying spree – and inside each Leaf Ink Baseball pack will be 4 autographs of previously signed cards. Presumably these will…
2011 Panini Black Friday Friday November 25, 2011 Special Packs Sent To Hobby Stores Check your local shop for availability Look on eBay: 2011 Panini Black Friday Cards {module 60}2011 Panini Black Friday Base Set Checklist Aaron Rodgers Tom Brady Adrian Peterson Ray Rice Jamaal Charles Andre Johnson Calvin Johnson Steven Stamkos Alexander Ovechkin Sidney…
2011 Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball Complete Glossy Set Release Date: Available Now 999 Sets Produced – Cards are Serial Numbered 10 All New Rookie Cards Complete 2011 A&G Base Set Original SRP Price From Topps: $99.99 2011 Allen & Ginter Baseball Checklist Something new for collectors who enjoy Topps Allen & Ginter baseball cards…
2010-11 Panini Certified Basketball Kobe Bryant HRX Video Card Serial Numbered #/10 – Gold #/1 Found Inside: 2010-11 Panini Certified Basketball Approx Value: $1,425 – Sold on August 21, 2011 Panini went all out in the design and execution of the HRX Video Trading Cards found inside 2010-11 Totally Certified Basketball and fans of Kobe…
2011 Topps Heritage Baseball National Sports Collectors Convention Set Dates: August 3-7, 2011 Serial Numbered #/299 2011 Topps Heritage Baseball Checklist Topps released a special 5 card set of 2011 Topps Heritage Rookie Cards at the 2011 National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago, IL – August 3-7. Collectors who opened five packs of 2011 Topps…
2011 Topps Football Wrapper Redemption Chance to win Super Bowl XL Opus Book Signed by all living Super Bowl MVP’s Hobby & Jumbo Packs Only Check Your Participating Hobby Store For More Details 2011 Topps Football Checklist In participating card shops you will be able to redeem your 2011 Topps Football hobby and jumbo packs…
2011 NFL Rookie Photo Shoot Dates: May 18-21 – Los Angeles, CA 36 Top NFL Rookies Invited Sign Autographs – Photo Shoot – Jersey Grab NEW! 2012 Rookie Photo Shoot Information: 2012 NFL Rookie Premiere Photo Shoot 2013 NFL Rookie Premiere Photo Shoot One of the most important events every year for top sports card…
May 9, 2011 Collectors Universe CLCT Post Record Quarter For Shareholders Those that like to invest their money in something other than cardboard can look into Collectors Universe (NASDAQ: CLCT) otherwise known in the hobby world as the card grader: PSA. The company makes most of its profits grading gold & silver coins, however most…
2011 Topps Prime 9 Baseball Hobby Store Promotion Begins: July 18, 2011 Available in 2011 Topps Series 2 Hobby Boxes Odds: 2 Per Hobby Box Redemption Cards – Turn Into Local Hobby Store #1 Johnny Bench #2 Albert Pujols #3 Jackie Robinson #4 Derek Jeter #5 Mike Schmidt #6 Hank Aaron #7 Mickey Mantle #8…
The Topps Company will spend $1.6 Million advertising and marketing the Attax trading card game in the U.S. which it relies on to be a cash cow for its business. According to a March 2010 Wall Street Journal article Topps Attax accounts for 25% of revenue and profits for the legendary trading card company. In…
Hobby stores located in the United States and Canada that are apart of the Topps ‘Home Team Advantage’ HTA network can now take advantage of a new program designed to help customers who get shorted hits out of boxes of Topps cards. You’ll need to check with your local shop to make sure they are…
At the 2011 Las Vegas Industry Summit, Panini America announced new rules regarding the sales of its products. Not only are there new minimum pricing requirements, a physical store front open 40+ hours per week is now required if you want the opportunity to purchase Panini from a certified distributor. Here are some of the…