Topps Trading Card Company Bought By Rival For $500 Million

Michael Rubin’s e-commerce company “Fanatics” has acquired Topps trading cards, sources confirmed.

Terms of the agreement were not available, but industry sources put the deal at roughly $500 million. It will include only Topps’ name and sports and entertainment division, not the company’s candy and gift cards line.

Fanatics’ trading card entity is valued at $10 billion after a $350 million round of funding last September. Rubin called Topps an iconic brand in a statement announcing the move.

“With trading cards and collectibles being a significant pillar of our long-term plans to become the leading digital sports platform, we are excited to add a leading trading cards company to build out our business,” said Rubin.

Former Disney chairman Michael Eisner owned Topps, which operated under private investment firm Tornante.

Rams’ Aaron Donald Wants To Build His Legacy

Aaron Donald was linked to retirement rumors and speculation mounted that Sean McVay would jump to TV, but the Super Bowl-winning duo is returning to the Rams for another year. And one would not be there without the other.

“Not at all,” the Rams defensive tackle recently told NFL Network. “Not at all. If Sean ain’t here — I told Sean when he first got here. We came up with some things early and I first told him as long as he’s the head coach here, I want to continue to build my legacy with him. 

“As long as he’s here and I got the ability to still play at a high level, I’m going to be here. When he’s gone and it’s all said and done, that probably will be when I’m hanging it up, too.”

Donald, who had 12.5 sacks last season, is certainly nowhere near falling off, and he’s expected to have another big year with the defending champion Rams.

“It’s always going to be motivation to do everything you can to get back,” the 31-year-old Donald said. “That’s the ultimate goal. That’s what you work for. When you’re grinding and out here working right now, that’s in the back of your mind. To try to do everything you can to have a great season and try to be the last team standing.”

Chris Bassitt Tosses Gem as Mets Beat Reds 5-1

Chris Bassitt was worthy of a gold star for his effectiveness and yet another for longevity Monday night. 

The Mets had utilized their bullpen plenty in playing five games over  four days against the Braves, and extra rest for that group was a commodity, even a day after many of manager Buck Showalter’s top options remained idle. 

Bassitt emerged with eight strong innings that led a 5-1 victory over the Reds at Citi Field. The Mets won for the sixth time in seven games and widened their NL East lead on the Braves to seven games. 

Already at 95 pitches, Bassitt was entrusted the eighth and struck out potential tying run Aristides Aquino after allowing a two-out single to Jake Fraley. Bassitt threw a season-high 114 pitches in allowing one unearned run on eight hits with eight strikeouts and one walk. 

“I think genuinely that is why they brought me over here was for that  reason: I am not afraid to go over 100 pitches,” Bassitt said. “I am confident going past 100 and I don’t think my stuff declines.”