Shohei Ohtani signs deal with Topps

Topps announced Thursday that it has partnered with Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani on an exclusive global trading card deal.

The agreement between Ohtani and Topps, which was acquired by Fanatics Collectibles in 2022, includes cards featuring autographs and game-used memorabilia, as well as moments and achievements from Ohtani’s career. It will involve products based in both the United States and Ohtani’s native Japan, which is a growing market for Topps and the hobby as a whole.

“I’m happy to be exclusively partnering with Topps to give fans unique cards and collectibles for seasons to come,” Ohtani said in a press release.

Ohtani previously had an exclusive memorabilia partnership with Fanatics, but the deal didn’t include trading cards.

Financial details of the new deal weren’t disclosed, but Fanatics Collectibles president of trading cards David Leiner emphasized that it is a long-term agreement and said it is similar to the deal the company signed with NBA superstar LeBron James in January.

“This is a momentous day in our brand’s history,” Leiner said. “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. 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.”

One of the biggest names in the sport, Ohtani has won two MVP Awards and earned four All-Star selections over seven seasons in MLB while showing the unique ability to be an elite offensive player and ace pitcher at the same time. After six seasons with the Angels, Ohtani joined the Dodgers on a historic 10-year, $700 million deal last offseason.

Ohtani isn’t pitching in 2024 after undergoing right elbow surgery, but he recently became the fastest player in MLB history to join the 40-40 club — doing so in his 126th game of the season — and has a chance to become the first player to produce 50 homers and 50 steals in a single season.