You don’t have to be a basketball fan or even a dedicated collector to know that Topps Chrome Basketball is back and better than ever. Fanatics’ acquisition of the NBA license for 2025 and beyond has reignited interest in collectors everywhere. Rumors of new designs and bold exclusives abound, and you won’t want to miss a single one.
Learn all about the new release with this Giant Sports Cards deep dive.
Chrome Basketball Returns
Topps Chrome has long been a cornerstone of the sports card arena. The sleek chromium finish, striking imagery, and powerful assortment of brand-new talent and established all-stars make for an unforgettable combo. Fans have been waiting for Chrome to return to basketball card boxes for nearly 14 years now, and the wait is finally over.
- Brilliant Refractors: Topps Chrome uses refractor technology, creating a spectrum of parallels that adds a layer of excitement to every new pull. Collectors can chase rare parallels like Gold, Orange, Red, and the ultra-scarce Superfractor. Every Topps basketball pack opening is unique, and the next elite autograph could be around the corner.
- Rookie-Central: Collectors often look to Chrome as the definitive source for rookie cards, making these boxes highly sought after and potentially valuable in the long term. If you’re looking for a hobby box that brings together the best talent in the league, you’re in the right place.
- Autographs and More: Topps Chrome Basketball brings you closer than ever to the arena and your favorite players. Pick from a high concentration of autograph parallel cards, and take it to the next level with cards featuring game-worn jerseys and other unforgettable swatches.
Chrome is in a league of its own, and all the excitement around its return to the basketball court is all the proof you need. Keen-eyed collectors will be quick to point out that Topps basketball cards are still unlicensed for the 2023-24 season, which begs the question: where’s the hype coming from? There are two factors in play here:
- Novelty: The 2023-24 Chrome basketball case is going to be the last unlicensed Chrome case for a long time. Topps sports cards will take over the license in 2025, making this last release a novelty for collectors everywhere. The nostalgia factor plays a huge role in determining prices in the long term, which is why collectors are so eager to snap this drop up.
- Exclusivity: Topps doesn’t have the NBA license yet, but they do have an exclusive contract for certain autographs, thanks to Fanatics’ deal with the NBA. The best example of this Topps basketball deal is Victor Wembanyama. He’s on the cover of the latest Topps Chrome drop, and collectors can find his exclusive rookie autograph inside as well.
Unlicensed vs. Licensed: What’s The Difference?
We’ve talked about unlicensed and licensed Topps Chrome basketball cards at length here. Let’s dive into what these terms actually mean for your collection.
Unlicensed |
Licensed |
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Unlicensed cards often use generic team names or logos that resemble NBA teams but are not exact replicas. |
Licensed cards boldly display the authentic logos and trademarks of NBA teams, adding to their legitimacy and visual appeal. |
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Instead of using player names, unlicensed cards use nicknames or even player numbers to identify individuals. |
These cards feature the actual names and images of players wearing the official jerseys. |
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Unlicensed cards generally hold lower value and are less desirable to collectors compared to their licensed counterparts. |
Due to their official status and connection to the NBA, licensed cards are more valuable and are more sought-after by collectors. |
Collectors generally prioritize licensed products. It’s fair to say that Topps basketball will be a force to be reckoned with in 2025 as it revives older lineups like Topps Finest and Topps Chrome Sapphire for the NBA.
Remember, this doesn’t mean that Panini’s current and older releases will lose value heading into 2025. There’s always going to be a market for licensed Panini cards, and their distinctive design caters to a massive global audience.
How Did Topps Get The License?
There’s a surprising amount of backstory to the Topps Chrome basketball saga and the license change. We can boil it all down to:
- The Court: The rivalry between Topps basketball and Panini intensified in 2022 when Fanatics, a sports merchandise giant, entered the fray. Fanatics acquired Topps, signaling its ambition to become a major player in the trading card market.
Shortly thereafter, Fanatics sued Panini, alleging that the company had engaged in anti-competitive practices to maintain its exclusive licenses with the NBA and NFL.
- The Board: The decision-makers over at the NBA and fans themselves expressed a desire to see real change in the space. Collectors believed that card designs were getting stale, and that only a fresh pair of hands could change things for the better.
Get The Latest and Greatest in Topps Basketball
Whether you’re looking to pick up the last few unlicensed hobby boxes or pre-order new sports card releases, the Ultimate Collector’s Cave™ has you covered. Giant Sports Cards is a trusted online card shop that works directly with manufacturers like Topps to bring the latest releases straight to your doorstep. Get free shipping on orders over $199 and Unbox Your Love Of The Game™ today.
