Topps NBA Cards Are Here: First Cards, LeBron/MJ Hype & the New Hobby War

Topps (Fanatics) is officially rolling out NBA-licensed cards for 2025–26. I break down what this means for Panini, Cooper Flagg, “First Cards,” potential LeBron/MJ autograph implications, overproduction fears, and how to play the market without getting wrecked. Drop your take below and let’s build smarter as a community.

Timestamps

• 0:00 – Welcome, what’s dropping, why it matters
• 0:42 – How Fanatics/Topps got here (and Panini’s run since 2009)
• 1:32 – First product: Topps Basketball (First Cards, All-Kings, Cooper Flagg autos)
• 2:49 – Could LeBron/MJ autos be possible down the line?
• 4:56 – Why licensed photography/design matters (nostalgia + cleaner look)
• 6:58 – Three big takeaways (nostalgia stakes, competition, first-edition impact)
• 10:56 – How Panini can still compete (case hits, design)
• 13:32 – Overproduction fears, allocation, and smart supply
• 16:42 – Why this could grow the hobby (onboarding with nostalgia)
• 18:40 – Community call: educate new collectors, avoid bad beats