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Overview - Card Collecting 101
Content
The Teams
Topps, now owned by Fanatics, is the historic baseball card brand known for flagship sets, Chrome, and Bowman prospect cards. It has been a cornerstone of the hobby for decades, producing annual MLB sets that are staples for both casual and serious collectors. In addition to baseball, Topps also creates cards for Formula 1, UEFA soccer, and entertainment properties like Star Wars, offering a wide range of products across sports and pop culture.
Italian-based company known for football (NFL), basketball (NBA), and soccer cards. They produce Prizm, Donruss, Select, and National Treasures. Panini holds current NFL and NBA licenses until Fanatics takes over in 2026.
Fanatics Collectibles is rapidly reshaping the industry, acquiring exclusive rights to MLB, NBA, and starting in 2026, the NFL trading card license. They own Topps and have deep retail reach through Fanatics-branded stores, stadium shops, and major retail partners.
Upper Deck specializes in high-end NHL products and iconic sets like SP Authentic and Allure. They also hold exclusive rights to athletes like Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan.
Leaf Trading Cards is an independent company known for producing high-end, non-licensed sports and entertainment cards, often featuring autographs, low print runs, memorabilia, niche athletes, and prospects. While Leaf does not hold major league licenses, it stands out with creative designs and strong rookie and prospect content. The brand appeals to collectors looking for value-driven alternatives outside the traditional big-name manufacturers.
Wild Card Trading Cards, known for its bold “stripe” parallels, rose to fame in the 1990s and was revived in 2021. It now produces premium football and basketball cards with autographs and limited print runs. The brand appeals to collectors looking for unique, non-licensed alternatives.
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