The Topps Company, also known as TCMA, is among the most prolific and well-known manufacturers of sports trading cards in the world. Founded in 1938 in Brooklyn, New York by The Topps Chewing Gum Company, Topps is best known as the exclusive designer, manufacturer and distributor of Major League Baseball cards in the United States.
For over 80 years, Topps has created innovative baseball card designs that have captured the culture and history of America’s pastime. Some of their most iconic sets include 1952 Topps, the first modern baseball card issue, 1954 Bowman, the dawn of the golden age of baseball cards, and 1968 Topps, renowned for its classic design. Topps broke new ground in the late 80s and 90s with the creation of licensed sports memorabilia beyond cards like stickers, shirts and caps expanding their brand globally.
While baseball has always been their bread and butter, Topps has long distributed cards featuring other sports such as football, basketball, hockey, soccer and boxing. Notable non-baseball releases include 1987 Topps Football, the introduction of team logos on cards and 1997-98 Topps hockey, one of the final sets before the sport’s lockout. Topps also innovated new products such as wax pack vending machines, card albums and high-end hobby boxes to entice collectors.
Beyond sports, Topps ventured into other collectible categories like entertainment, games, pop culture and non-sports trading cards. Iconic sets include 1977 Star Wars, considered the birth of the modern movie card phenomenon, Garbage Pail Kids from 1985-87 featuring gross-out cartoon characters, and Pokemon cards in the late 90s riding the Japanese anime craze. These demonstrated Topps’ skill in securing licenses from major franchises to resonate with younger generations.
In 2007 Topps was acquired by The Michael Eisner Company, Tornado Productions Inc. and Madison Dearborn Partners. Under new ownership, Topps aimed to modernize their brand image while preserving the nostalgia that made them a household name. Topps launched websites, mobile apps and utilized social media to better engage hobbyists in the digital age. They also released innovative sets like 2008 Allen & Ginter featuring unique memorabilia cards playing off collectors’ interests.
Topps has made strategic acquisitions and partnerships to strengthen their portfolio. In 2021 they obtained Bazooka Candy Brands, manufacturers of ring pops and Push Pops, to leverage synergy between confections and cards. They also struck licensing deals with properties such as Marvel, Fortnite and Top Gun to reach wider audiences. Additionally, Topps partnered with companies like Panini to grow internationally, especially in Europe where soccer dominates the card market.
While major competitors like Upper Deck and Panini emerged starting in the late 80s, Topps has retained their position as the MLBPA’s exclusive trading card partner through strategic long-term contracts, most recently extended in 2018. Mounting costs and decreased card sales amid the digital era have pressured Topps financially. In 2022 they announced plans to go public through a SPAC to raise capital and adapt to changing consumer habits.
Despite turbulence, Topps remains an iconic American brand with unparalleled baseball card pedigree. Beyond annual MLB releases, they continue diversifying into other sports, entertainment, premium products and digital platforms. Whether triggering nostalgia for childhood or engaging new generations, Topps strives to keep the collectibles hobby vibrant through innovative design, powerful licenses and accessible collecting experiences. As one of the original pop culture empires, Topps ensures their legacy endures for many years to come.
