NFL Awards Fanatics Exclusive Trading Card License

The NFL has awarded an exclusive multiyear licensing deal to Fanatics Collectibles for trading cards, marking Topps' return to producing official NFL cards for the first time since 2016. The agreement, announced Thursday with the NFL Players Association, grants Fanatics rights to team logos, names, marks, helmet designs and uniforms, along with global distribution.

The partnership ends Panini America's run as the league's exclusive trading card provider, which began in 2009 and became sole licensee in 2016. Fanatics acquired Topps in 2022 and has gradually reintroduced football cards without league marks in recent years. This deal completes Fanatics' takeover of trading card licenses for the NFL, NBA and MLB, amid an ongoing legal dispute with Panini.

The inaugural product under the new agreement is the 2025 Topps Chrome Football set, set for release on April 15, with preorders beginning April 3. The set will feature innovative one-of-one autograph cards incorporating game-worn patches, a first for NFL trading cards at the league level. The Rookie PREM1ERE Patch Autograph Cards will include patches from the 2025 rookie class's first regular-season games, highlighting players...