Shohei Ohtani Hits Another Home Run With Global Exclusive Topps Alliance
Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 02:10PM By Barry Janoff
August 29, 2024: Shohei Ohtani has hit another massive home run — this time off the field.
The two-time MLB MVP, now in his first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, has signed an exclusive long-term global trading-card deal with Topps, a division of Fanatics Collectibles.
Financial terms were not shared.
The agreement begins immediately and includes autographs and game-used memorabilia cards, as well as cards focused on “moments and achievements.”
It will also involve both U.S.- and Japan-based products, the latter of which Topps said is a “growing market for both the hobby and the brand.”
“This is a momentous day in our brand’s history,” David Leiner, president of Trading Cards at Fanatics Collectibles, said via the company.
“We aren’t just partners with Shohei — we’re big fans, both of everything he’s done on the field and how he represents the game off of it.”
Ohtani joins a Topps roster with such Japanese players as Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui.
“I'm happy to be exclusively partnering with Topps to give fans unique cards and collectibles for seasons to come,” Ohtani said via Topps,
Ohtani in 2021 signed a deal with Fanatics that included exclusive autograph, collectibles and memorabilia items, but this pact expands the alliance’s exclusivity globally and into other areas.
Leiner said Topps’ previous non-exclusive partnership with Ohtani began in January of 2018.
"With this new, exclusive deal, Topps will continue to be innovative in our offerings with him, giving collectors product that’s never before been seen in the hobby, all while bringing them closer to this once-in-a-lifetime player,” said Leiner.
Back to Home Page