Source: Topps
New York, NY (Sept. 14, 2005) -- The Topps Company has announced that it has signed an exclusive trading card deal with NBA superstar Allen Iverson.
The deal grants New York City-based Topps exclusive rights within the NBA trading card category for autographed cards, memorabilia cards, insert cards and Iverson’s image use on packaging and advertising.
Iverson, a guard for the Philadelphia 76ers, is a six-time NBA All-Star for the Eastern Conference and was named league MVP in 2001. Last season, the electrifying playmaker led the NBA in points per game (30.7) and co-captained the U.S. Men’s Olympic Basketball Team in Athens, Greece.
“Iverson has a major following in the basketball card category and his autographed cards are some of the most sought after in the industry,” said Warren Friss, Topps Vice President. “We are thrilled to be able to include him in our products.”
Iverson’s first autographed Topps cards will be available next Monday (9/19) via eTopps.com and will be limited to just 150 copies.(image attached) Iverson’s autographed cards will also appear in the remainder of Topps 2005-06 Basketball products staring with Topps Big Game Collection, which releases the second week of October.
Iverson currently appears on 2005-06 Topps Basketball packaging with Hip Hop icon Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter. Iverson joins Jay-Z and baseball players Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez as Topps exclusives.
Founded in 1938 as Topps Chewing Gum, Topps issued its first baseball cards in 1951 and is an international marketer of entertainment products, principally candy, collectible trading cards and sticker album collections. Topps Internet business includes Topps.com, eTopps.com, TheToppsVault.com and thePit.com.
