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Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani has expanded his Fanatics partnership to include trading cards.
Per ESPN’s Dan Hajducky, Ohtani has signed a long-term deal with Topps for global exclusive trading cards.
“Ohtani’s been a part of the Topps family since he signed with the Angels in late 2017, early 2018, so this deal is super important to us,” David Leiner, president of trading cards at Fanatics Collectibles, said of the agreement. “Best player in the game, unique, global player, who pitches and hits. You’ve got to have this guy in product, you’ve got to have his autographs and memorabilia for fans to chase.”
Leiner added the company is already cooking up “some fun stuff” featuring Ohtani when the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs start the 2025 MLB season at the Tokyo Dome.
Fanatics purchased Topps in 2022 to add trading cards and memorabilia to its list of endeavors that already included merchandise and apparel.
Ohtani originally signed an exclusive memorabilia contract with Fanatics in 2021. Signed jerseys, helmets, coins, photos and balls were among the items included in that agreement, but there was no deal for sports cards.
Topps has been releasing licensed Ohtani cards since 2017 prior to his rookie season with the Los Angeles Angels.
Hajducky noted this new agreement will include exclusive autographs, game-used memorabilia cards; cards centered around memorable moments and achievements; and U.S.- and Japan-based products.
Ohtani joins a group of athletes that includes his former Angels teammate Mike Trout and Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James to have exclusive trading card contracts with Topps.
