THE ATHLETIC: Topps regains NBA trading card license, first set to be China exclusive

Then-Topps employee David Leiner witnessed the company losing the NBA license firsthand more than 15 years ago. So it’s a bit of a full circle moment for Leiner, who’s now the president of trading cards for Fanatics Collectibles — which owns Topps — for the league’s license to return to the card manufacturer on Oct. 1 after years of being exclusive to Panini.  

“This is a monumental moment for the hobby and this comes with great responsibility to make sure we deliver for all the constituents out there,” Leiner said.

With that in mind, Topps will open the new era for basketball cards with a multi-pronged approach across the globe, starting with an emphasis in China.