• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now

Topps Inks NIL Deals with Nearly 200 College Athletes

  • Fanatics-owned Topps is making a big play in college sports.
  • The company has signed NIL deals with nearly 200 college athletes.
Fanatics-NCAA
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Fanatics-owned Topps is going to college.

The trading card and collectibles company has struck NIL deals with nearly 200 student athletes and more than 100 colleges and universities for rights to produce trading cards, digital cards, and NFTs.

  • The company is currently focused on top football and basketball players including 2021 Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young of Alabama, Stetson Bennett of Georgia, and Aliyah Boston of South Carolina.
  • “Over time, we expect that to grow across more sports and more athletes,” Derek Eiler, executive vice president of Fanatics College, told Front Office Sports.
  • Eiler said that athlete compensation is based on “factors that would drive consumer demand and collector demand,” including social following, draft status, and playing position.

Topps has exclusive, multiyear deals with a majority of the Power 5 conference schools, including Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Oregon, Penn State, and Texas A&M, with deals commencing between 2023 and 2025.

Other school pacts with the company are nonexclusive.

Topps will begin releasing cards in the fall through its Bowman U brand.

Double Deal

Through its separate deals with players and schools, Topps has rights to both player name, image, and likenesses, as well as the logos and trademarks of their schools.

Each player deal was struck individually, but “as the category grows, we will contemplate broader group licensing solutions,” said Eiler.

Products will also include autographed cards and player-worn memorabilia.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oakland A's

Fanatics Blames ‘Technology’ Error for Mixed-Up MLB Ads

One image had a fan wearing a Twins jersey and Guardians hat.
Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Chris Youngblood (8) and the Alabama Crimson Tide bench celebrate during the second half against the Brigham Young Cougars during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center.

How Alabama Became College Basketball’s Newest Juggernaut

The Crimson Tide have found success rivaling their historic football program.
Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center

‘Harder to Turn It Around’: Nate Oats on Building Alabama Before NIL..

“You can’t flip your roster like you can now,” Oats said.
Mar 26, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd during a practice session in preparation for an East Regional semifinal game against the Duke Blue Devils at Prudential Center.

Coaches Don’t Think Cinderellas Are Dead After All

There are no mid-majors in the men’s Sweet 16 this year.

Featured Today

Brehanna Daniels

NASCAR Pit Crew Member Brehanna Daniels Didn’t Know She’d Be a Trailblazer

The first Black female tire changer didn’t know she’d be a trailblazer.
Columbia, SC - February 16, 2025 - Colonial Life Arena: Rebecca Lobo and Ryan Ruocco during a regular season game.
March 30, 2025

Inside Ryan Ruocco’s Rapid Rise to ESPN’s Top Voice of Women’s Hoops

The top voice became “quickly addicted” to calling the women’s game.
Kendall Coyne Schofield
March 25, 2025

Kendall Coyne Schofield Wants More for the Next Wave of Mom-Athletes

The Walter Cup–winning Frost captain says small changes mean “everything.”
Dec 21, 2024; Hartford, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) looks to pass the ball against USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) in the first half at XL Center.
March 23, 2025

‘More Value to Be Had’: Were Women’s March Madness Media Rights Undersold?

Could the NCAA have gotten millions more in its latest TV deal?

Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions Gets PE Boost

The Hall of Famer’s company gains another prominent backer.
March 20, 2025

High School Sports Power Signs Eight-Figure Rights Deal in First

The deal pays roughly $1 million annually, FOS has learned.
March 24, 2025

Why Pro Athletes Are Getting First Look at Start-Up Deals: ‘Shark Tank’..

Rashaun Williams was an early investor in companies like DraftKings and Coinbase.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
March 20, 2025

Maxx Crosby’s Agent: Edge Rushers Set to Dominate NFL’s Non-QB Market

Maxx Crosby just signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension.
March 4, 2025

Eagles Make Saquon Barkley NFL’s Highest-Paid Running Back Ever

Barkley is coming off a historic 2024 season with the Eagles.
February 18, 2025

Tiger Woods Signs First PGA Tour Player to Wear Sun Day Red

Karl Vilips will wear Sun Day Red at his season debut at the Mexico Open.
Teammates embrace during matchup in The Hundred cricket league
February 15, 2025

Google, Microsoft, Adobe CEOs Buy Stakes in Cricket League

The England and Wales Cricket Board raised £520m by selling team stakes.