Topps Releases New NFT Collection for MLB

Topps on Tuesday (Aug. 31) announced the 2021 Topps MLB Inception NFT Collection, calling it “a brand-new baseball card inspired release” on blockchain platform ToppsNFTs.com.

The 2021 Topps MLB Inception NFT Collection offers digital collectibles with classic Topps card designs, motion animations, facsimile signatures and digital relic content that “showcases MLB rookies, emerging stars, veteran mainstays and more,” according to the company announcement.

“This Topps NFT product comes at a time when so many talented young players are emerging in baseball and provides collectors with a new way to connect with them as their careers take shape,” Evan Kaplan, managing director of MLB Players Inc., said in the announcement. “This is an opportunity for fans to own a piece of collectible baseball history.”

Standard and Premium packs of the 2021 Topps MLB Inception NFT Collection will be available for purchase on Thursday, Sept. 9 at 1 p.m. ET exclusively on ToppsNFTs.com, with card rarities ranging from Common to Legendary. It is the second Topps MLB NFT product to hit the market this year.

“Our vision is to create a fun, easy-to-use collecting experience on the Blockchain that appeals to all fans whether they have experience with NFTs or not,” said Tobin Lent, VP and global general manager of Topps Digital Sports and Entertainment at The Topps Company. “It’s an extension of the vision we’ve had for digital collectibles in our mobile apps since 2012.”

Topps Digital Sports and Entertainment has sold digital collectibles through its mobile apps since 2012.

“Topps has built new avenues for collectors to enjoy their passion and fans to celebrate the next generation of up-and-coming players,” said Jamie Leece, senior vice president, Major League Baseball Games and VR, in the announcement.

Related: NFTs And The ‘Fad Vs Trend’ Debate

Of course, NFTs aren’t just popular among baseball fans. NFT marketplace OpenSea has logged more than $1 billion in monthly transactions in the past month and Visa recently bought a “CryptoPunk” NFT and says it plans to add to its digital collection.

Also Read: Topps’ Blank Check Merger Plan Strikes Out

Topps’ plan to go public through a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) fell through earlier this month when Major League Baseball and its players’ union reached new licensing deals with the online sports merchandiser Fanatics, Inc.

The trading card giant had struck a deal in April to become publicly traded by merging with Mudrick Capital Acquisition Corp. II, but the deal fell apart and Topps will now remain private.