Collectors of sports cards are about to experience a ground-breaking development, as Topps recently announced a radical policy shift that will surely transform the game. Instead of the usual prompt two-year expiration, Topps is now tagging their redemption cards with a decade-long validity period. This dramatic extension applies to all sports card issues from the 2021-22 period going forward. It’s an assertive response to a problem that has long frustrated collectors—finding worthless redemption cards in older packs, simply because the original autograph has expired.
If you’re not a collector, here’s the skinny on redemption cards. These cards are placeholders for actual autographed cards that were not available when the packs were assembled. This has been a point of contention in the industry for years, as expired redemption cards can significantly lower a product’s value. With this change, however 2022-issued cards, for instance, will not expire until 2032 instead of 2024. This move is expected to keep product values buoyant for longer, while giving collectors peace of mind that their autograph cards can still hit the right notes many years down the line.
But there’s a critical note to consider with this policy shift. Its effectiveness largely depends on Topps’ capacity to deliver the autographs these cards promise. Delays in getting these signatures have been known to happen, often due to negotiation hiccups with athletes over their compensation. This, of course, leaves cardholders holding on, instead of cashing in.
Yet, clouds may be parting on that front. Starting 2025, Fanatics, who boast exclusive licenses with key sports player unions, are projected to streamline the entire autograph acquisition process. This hopeful forecast could lead to an uptick in product sales and a win-win situation for everyone involved—Topps, Fanatics, the players, and most importantly, the collectors.
In fact, Topps has already built a solid runway for this takeoff. Over the past year, the company has whittled down its backlog of redemptions from an eye-popping 70,000 to fewer than 10,000— a clear indicator that it’s making moves to tackle one of their industry’s toughest challenges head-on.
So, to the collectors out there, buckle up! You’re in for a longer ride with your Topps redemption cards now. Cracking open an old pack may just reveal a treasure, not a disappointment. In what can only be called an innovative shift in the sports card industry, Topps is pitching a curveball that might just end up being a game-changing home run.