As part of the NBA’s new exclusive licensing deal with Topps, the league announced on Wednesday that rookies will wear patches on their jerseys during their debut that will subsequently be placed in a 1-of-1 autographed trading card.
Similar to MLB and MLS, the “Debut Patch” will be sewn onto the right shoulder of the player’s jersey for their first regular season game. It will be removed, authenticated and placed in a trading card, which will then be autographed and randomly inserted into a sealed pack for 2026.
It’s worth nothing the NFL also places a “PREM1ER” patch on players’ jerseys, but they’re not used in trading cards and are instead given to rookies after they’re worn or sold at auction, as Panini currently holds the exclusive license until Topps takes over in 2026.
Additionally, the NBA will follow MLB and the NFL’s lead by having award winners wear a gold Logoman patch on the back of their jerseys and right leg of their shorts. They will be periodically removed throughout the season and placed into trading cards.
Players who will wear the gold Logoman on their uniforms this season include Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (MVP), San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (rookie of the year) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (defensive player of the year).
Interestingly, every player in the league wore a gold Logoman on their uniforms during the 1996-97 season as the NBA celebrated its 50th anniversary, which ultimately lended themselves to some of the most valuable trading cards on the market.
Topps, which was acquired in 2022 by Fanatics, last produced fully licensed NBA trading cards during the 2009-10 season. That was also the last season that Upper Deck produced licensed NBA cards, as Panini signed an exclusive deal with the league that began the following season.
“Beginning with the 1-of-1 Topps Rookie Debut Patch Autograph cards and limited-edition Gold NBA Logoman Patch cards, we are constantly iterating on innovative and interactive ways with which we can deliver new and unique card formats,” Fanatics Collectibles CEO Mike Mahan said.
“These then become collectibles to chase, cherish and provide the current generation of fans and collectors with excitement, and will also propel a new generation of fans by providing more tangible ways for them to feel closer to their favorite NBA stars than ever before.”
Photo courtesy of @Topps on X/Twitter.
