NBA rookies to wear collectible jersey patches in debut
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The Topps Rookie Debut Patch. Photo: Topps
NBA rookies and superstars will wear new patches — and fans will cash in.
Why it matters: The NBA and trading card brand Topps are aiming to increase the value of already highly coveted memorabilia.
State of play: Rookies and award winners from last year will wear a new, collectible jersey patch during the upcoming season.
How it works: The Topps Rookie Debut Patch will be affixed to each first-year player's jersey during their debut game.
- The patch will later be removed, authenticated and inserted into an autographed trading card.
Driving the news: The association announced Wednesday that Topps will return as its official and exclusive trading card licensee.
- The trading card brand from Fanatics Collectibles is bringing NBA cards into its portfolio for the first time since the 2009-10 season.
Zoom in: The debut patch is a borrowed idea from Major League Baseball.
- An autographed rookie card featuring a patch worn by Pittsburgh Pirates phenom Paul Skenes recently sold for $1.1 million.
The jerseys of the 2024-25 MVP, Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year will feature a gold NBA Logoman patch, which will also be inserted into trading cards.
- Fanatics Collectibles says this program will continue for future seasons.
What we're watching: David Leiner, president of trading cards for Fanatics Collectibles, tells Axios the number of athlete collectors is growing.
- "Five years ago, there were maybe a dozen guys collecting. Today, we have over 150 MLB players collecting."
- "I think you're going to see a lot more guys in the NBA leaning into this and starting to collect cards."
