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| Aug 06, 2009 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 6, 2009
MLB AND TOPPS ANNOUNCE EXCLUSIVE DEAL MAKING TOPPS THE OFFICIAL BASEBALL CARD OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Exclusive Multi-Year Deal Signifies Renewed Commitment to
Youth and Innovation, 40 Years After Their First Deal
Major League Baseball Properties (MLBP) and the Topps Company, the leading creator and marketer of sports cards, today announced an exclusive multi-year licensing deal to make Topps the Official Baseball Card of Major League Baseball. Topps will have exclusivity on MLB, Jewel Event and Club trademarks, logos and other intellectual property, for use on baseball cards, stickers and certain other product categories featuring MLB players. Topps’ exclusivity begins on January 1, 2010.
Topps will become the first exclusive baseball card company of MLB in nearly 30 years, as the company looks to expand its ongoing efforts to invigorate the category, continue launching ground-breaking products, improve the retail and collecting experience and make cards more relevant to children. Topps’ first exclusive product will be its 2010 Topps Baseball Series 1 to be unveiled next February.
“Generations of baseball fans have grown more connected to the game through collecting baseball cards,” said Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. “We look forward to partnering with Topps to restore baseball cards as the game’s premiere collectable.”
“Topps has over the years clearly distinguished itself as the leader in the industry and the best brand in the business,” said Howard Smith, Senior Vice President, Licensing, Major League Baseball Properties. “This exclusive agreement with Topps follows similar arrangements in other categories that have resulted in superior products for fans and in turn unprecedented business success.”
Michael Eisner and The Tornante Company, a private investment company he founded in 2005, acquired The Topps Company, Inc. in 2007 along with Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC.
“We are looking forward to working closely with MLB Properties and its Clubs to invest in innovation and creativity to bring baseball cards and other collectible items to new audiences for many years to come,” said Eisner. |
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