In a bold move aimed to reconfigure the landscape of sports card collecting, acclaimed card producer Topps has announced they will be extending the expiration dates of their redemption cards from a mere two years to an outstanding ten years. Applicable on all sports card releases from 2021-22 and beyond, this policy amendment sets out to assuage long-standing issues faced by collectors who stumble upon redemption cards, particularly those promising autographed variants, which have depreciated due to expiration in older packs.
For those not in the know, redemption cards are placeholders for actual autographed cards, which at times, aren’t on hand at the packing stage. For years, these cards have been a polarizing aspect of sports card collecting, notorious for deflating a product’s value post expiration. However, with Topps’ audacious decision to stretch their card validity to a solid decade, collectors can now anticipate their cards, say from a 2022 release, to underwrite redeemable promise until a futuristic 2032 instead of petering out in a short-lived 2024. Such an enterprise is forecasted to prop up the market value of these collectibles for an extended period, handing cardholders a more substantial assurance when it comes to redeeming their autographs.
Of course, the success of this unchartered territory of a policy is still contingent on Topps’ consistency in procuring the autographs pledged on their cards. Historically, collectors have often encountered delays rooting from a plethora of causes, most notably from ongoing negotiations regarding athlete compensations. However, the dynamics of this interplay could witness a change for the better with Fanatics securing exclusive licenses with prime sports player unions come 2025. This development sings tunes of a promising future where the process of acquiring captured signatures might be streamlined, resulting in a potential surge in product sales while simultaneously benefiting every party involved.
To offer a silver lining, Topps has exhibited impressive strides towards making good on its promises. Over the past year, the company has manifested notable progress in tackling one of the hobby’s most exasperating challenges – backlog of redemptions. From the previous distressing figure of 70,000, Topps has shrunk this number to a significantly less intimidating sub-10,000 range.
Promising to bring in a gust of fresh air, Topps’ initiative could not only boost its own standing but also renew the faith of collectors in the world of sports card collecting.