Topps Becomes USOC's Exclusive Trading Card Producer In Lead Up To London Games

The USOC yesterday announced the Topps Co. as the exclusive trading card producer of Team USA for the '12 London Olympic and Paralympic Games. Topps will release its first Team USA product this spring, featuring the top Olympians, Paralympians and hopefuls. The Team USA collection will have 100 cards -- 40 of which feature authentic athlete-autographed special versions. The release will also feature past Team USA medalists. A portion of each purchase will go directly to supporting the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams (Topps). SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL’s Tripp Mickle notes the deal gives Topps “its fourth major sports partnership,” as it also has licensing agreements in place with MLB, the NFL and UFC. USOC Managing Dir of Consumer Products Peter Zeytoonjian said that the USOC “opted to do the deal because the trading cards offered a way for Americans to support and learn more about the athletes representing the country at the London Olympics.” Mickle notes the “last company to have a similar agreement was Upper Deck” from ’93-96 (SPORTSBUINESS JOURNAL, 1/2 issue).