Shohei Ohtani Signs an Exclusive Trading Card Deal with Topps

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani has agreed to an exclusive long-term global trading card deal with Topps, the most iconic sports card brand in the world.

The deal, announced on Thursday, August 29, will boast a plethora of exclusive cards, including autographed and game-used memorabilia as Ohtani's influence on and off the field continues to grow. 

Ohtani, a native of Oshu, Iwate Prefecture, has signed previous deals with Fanatics, but this is his first involving trading cards. 

"I'm happy to be exclusively partnering with Topps to give fans unique cards and collectibles for seasons to come," Ohtani said in a news release.

According to David Leiner, president of trading cards at Fanatics Collectibles, Ohtani is a card collector himself.

Ohtani, 30, is in the midst of his first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers after signing a record-breaking $700 million USD (¥102 billion JPY) contract in the offseason. He joined the team after spending the first five years of his career with NPB's Hokkaido Nipponham Fighters and the next six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels.

Ohtani recently became the first Japanese player in history to have a 40-home run, 40-stolen base season. And he's just the sixth player in MLB history to achieve the feat.

He is having another MVP-caliber season despite being unable to pitch all year following his second major elbow surgery, leading the National League in runs scored (107), home runs (44) and OPS (.999) through August 31.

Dodgers teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto and other Japanese stars, such as Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui, have also signed prior Topps deals. Ohtani has collaborated with Topps since his debut MLB season in 2018, but the partnership has now become exclusive. 

Shohei Ohtani Elevates Profile of Fanatics-Owned Topps in Japan

Fanatics, which established Fanatics Japan in 2018, and Topps, which opened a Tokyo branch in 2021 following its $500 million (¥73 billion) acquisition by Fanatics in 2022, is leveraging Ohtani's popularity to bolster its foothold in the Japanese market.

"Japan is a great baseball country, and [Shohei] is so important back home," said Leiner. 

The company hopes to continue expanding its Japanese market with the help of popular convenience stores like 7-Eleven, FamilyMart and Lawson's. 

"Topps will continue to be innovative in our offerings with [Ohtani]," added Leiner, "giving collectors product that's never before been seen in the hobby, all while bringing them closer to this once-in-a-lifetime player."

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Author: Yuri Karasawa