How Fanatics Is Building a Weird Monopoly Over Sports Trading Cards

Over the past few years, Fanatics, Inc. has been quietly securing its foothold in the sports trading card industry. From exclusive deals with major sports leagues to the potential implications for small retailers, their expansion might reshape the landscape in ways we might not realize.

Could they be cornering the market and pushing out longtime favorites like Topps and Panini?

What do their partnerships with NFL, NBA, and MLB mean for the average collector?

Legal battles are already underway, but what's at the heart of these disputes?

We've seen large firms monopolize sectors such as cheerleading, music events, and mixed martial arts. These monopolies limit diversity and control the narrative of American culture, raising concerns for us advocating for open markets and diverse experiences.

Matt Stoller does a really good job with the finer details about this