THE FIRST BOMB DROPPED ON TOPPS. THE WALL STREET JOURNAL BROKE THE SHOCKING NEWS ON AUGUST 19 THAT FANATICS, THE UNCHALLENGED GIANT IN THE SPORTS MERCHANDISING FIELD, HAD BROKERED AN OUT-OF-LEFT-FIELD AGREEMENT TO BECOME THE EXCLUSIVE TRADING CARD LICENSEE OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL AND THE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS ASSOCIATION. THE MLBPA’S DEAL WITH FANATICS WILL REPORTEDLY BEGIN IN 2023. MLB’S CURRENT CONTRACT WITH TOPPS RUNS THROUGH 2025.