Collectibles: Fanatics (licensing) acquires Topps trading card business for $500m (€441.3m)

Fanatics, a US manufacturer and distributor of licensed sports products, has acquired the sports and entertainment division of Topps, a manufacturer of trading cards and stickers, from Tornante Company and Madison Dearborn Partners, according to the US companies on 04/01/2022. The buyout is valued at $500m (€441.3m), according to US media reports.

"The acquisition of Topps' sports & entertainment division includes all parts of its iconic worldwide trading cards and collectables business - both the physical and digital divisions - which sells in more than 100 countries and has physical operations in 10 countries, including the UK, Germany, Brazil, Italy and Japan," explained Fanatics.

The American group launched its trading card division "Fanatics Trading Cards" in 2021 and has already concluded licensing agreements with the MLB, the NBA and the NFL Players' Association. "To ensure seamless ongoing operations, all of the approximately 350 global Topps sports & entertainment employees will become part of Fanatics Trading Cards," said the group.

Topps holds a number of global licensing…