UFC and Fanatics Collectibles have recently announced a multiyear partnership that grants Fanatics the exclusive rights to produce UFC trading cards. With this exciting collaboration, Fanatics will produce these trading cards under the Topps brand, taking over the license from Panini America, who held it since 2021. The deal, which was announced on Wednesday, marks a significant milestone for both UFC and the trading card community.
Kelvin Smith, the Vice President of Global Licensing and Partner Development at Fanatics Collectibles, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership. Smith stated that UFC is “coming home” as they return to the Topps brand. He highlighted the unique personalities and exciting young stars of the UFC, making it a perfect fit for the collector community. The partnership aims to celebrate the key historic moments of the UFC through trading cards, bringing fans and collectors closer to their favorite athletes and fighters.
The initial offering from this collaboration will be the highly anticipated 2024 Topps Chrome UFC, set to hit hobby and retail shops on February 28. This release is expected to be a remarkable moment for both the hobby and UFC fans around the world. Fanatics Collectibles CEO Mike Mahan expressed his delight, recognizing the immense popularity of UFC trading cards among collectors. With this partnership, Fanatics hopes to produce innovative and fun cards featuring the next wave of UFC stars.
This agreement further strengthens the existing partnership between UFC and Fanatics Commerce. Fanatics Live, a creator-run live card breaking and shopping platform, allows fans and collectors to enjoy interactive card pack and box openings, as well as exclusive athlete interviews. According to Kelvin Smith, this platform provides a unique opportunity for collectors and fans who are unable to attend fights to engage with and get closer to their favorite athletes. It’s important to note that Fanatics Live features a variety of sports, not limited to UFC.
Tracey Bleczinski, UFC’s Senior Vice President of Global Consumer Products, emphasized that the decision to partner with Fanatics was not a reflection on the previous license holder, Panini. Bleczinski acknowledged Panini as a “good partner” and praised their passion for the sport and athletes. However, the inclusion of Fanatics Live played a significant role in the shifting licensing partnership. Bleczinski stated that Fanatics has become an industry leader by driving innovation and pushing boundaries. The UFC is confident that this collaboration will propel their trading card business to new heights.
The announcement of this partnership comes during an eventful period for TKO Group Holdings, the sports and entertainment company resulting from the WWE and UFC merger. Another significant development involves a 10-year, $5 billion partnership between Netflix and WWE, which will bring the popular show “Raw” to the streaming service starting in January 2025. These recent milestones demonstrate the continuous evolution and growth of the sports and entertainment industry.
The partnership between UFC and Fanatics Collectibles marks a new chapter for UFC trading cards. With Fanatics’ exclusive rights to produce these highly sought-after cards under the Topps brand, fans and collectors can anticipate innovative and engaging products featuring the next generation of UFC stars. The collaboration also includes the interactive Fanatics Live platform, which provides a unique opportunity for fans and collectors to connect with their favorite athletes. This partnership is a testament to the evolving landscape of the sports and entertainment industry and is set to elevate the UFC trading card business to new heights.
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