Extremists Allegedly Colluding with Sports Leagues and Labor Organizations over Exorbitant Game Ticket Costs
In early 2022, sports merchandise giant Fanatics expanded its presence in the U.S. trading card market by acquiring Topps for nearly $500 million[1]. This consolidation allowed Fanatics to secure exclusive rights to produce MLB trading cards, among other sports licensing deals.
However, a lawsuit filed in the Southern District of New York alleges illegal conspiracy to inflate prices and reduce competition in the sports trading card market[2]. The defendants, which include Fanatics, the NFL, NFLPA, MLB, MLPBA, NBA, NBPA, and OneTeam Partners, are accused of offering equity stakes in "future monopoly profits" to secure exclusive licensing deals that last up to 20 years[2].
Phillip Jones, a resident of Phoenix, Ariz., claims he paid artificially inflated prices for pro sports trading cards due to these exclusive licensing deals[2]. The lawsuit seeks a jury trial, an injunction to stop allegedly anticompetitive practices, and damages exceeding $5 million.
Despite these allegations, there is no clear evidence from the provided search results that Fanatics' acquisition of Topps in 2022 and its exclusive licensing deals with major sports leagues and players' unions have led to antitrust violations in the sports trading card market[3].
While the acquisition may raise concerns about market concentration, the provided context does not include any data or authoritative sources confirming that the situation resulted in antitrust violations or legal challenges as of mid-2025.
The defendants are likely to argue that consumers are better off with exclusive licensing contracts and that Fanatics was awarded exclusive deals due to merit and product quality. They might also contend that a broader sports collectibles market is more appropriate for an antitrust lawsuit instead of the specific sports trading cards market.
Fanatics' Topps trading cards and entertainment division had sales of approximately $1.6 billion in 2021, a significant increase from the $368 million in 2020[1]. By 2024, this division accounted for about 20% of Fanatics' revenue[4].
Jones accuses the defendants of deceptive trade practices, antitrust violations, and related laws, seeking certification as a class action for consumers who purchased licensed trading cards from Fanatics since Jan. 1, 2022[2]. The case may face hurdles due to leagues and players unions' long-standing use of group licensing agreements for intellectual property and players' right of publicity[1].
In a related story, a U.S. district court sided with Panini in a case against WWE over early termination of a deal to move to Fanatics[3]. The lawsuit between Fanatics and Panini involves allegations of Fanatics threatening to blacklist Panini employees if they didn't join Fanatics when Fanatics' exclusive long-term licenses took effect[3]. In another instance, the NFLPA lost a $7 million ruling to Panini in an arbitration case over breach of duty in 2021[3].
In summary, while Fanatics' acquisition of Topps and exclusive licensing deals have strongly influenced the sports trading card market, according to the available information, they have not, as of 2025, led to antitrust violations or regulatory consequences. The legal battle between Fanatics and other parties, including consumers and competing companies, continues.
[1] https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2022/01/25/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/Fanatics-acquires-Topps.aspx [2] https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/fantics-nfl-mlb-nba-others-sued-over-alleged-antitrust-violations-2022-02-16/ [3] https://www.law360.com/articles/1534290/fanatics-topps-deal-draws-antitrust-scrutiny [4] https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2024/04/16/Finance/Fanatics-revenue-up-20-in-2023.aspx
- In the context of the legal battle, an analysis of the impact of Fanatics' acquisition of Topps and its exclusive licensing deals on the sports trading card market could include an evaluation of the allegations of antitrust violations and their potential effects on consumer education-and-self-development, considering the accused parties' arguments and counterarguments.
- The sports trading card market, with its recent consolidation and exclusive licensing deals, presents an interesting case for sports studies and business analysis, offering insights into pricing dynamics, market concentration, and the role of exclusive contracts in shaping the industry, in addition to the legal implications and potential antitrust concerns.
