With Topps releasing Chrome Basketball and Composite Football, the topic of unlicensed sports cards has heated up. Both sets contain some of the most sought-after rookie cards in recent times, and many have jumped at the opportunity to obtain them even with the missing logos. Meanwhile, I remained on the sidelines, reluctant to get in on the action, but something about one of these sets changed my mind.
First, I want to tell everyone that I am not a fan of non-licensed sports cards. They always feel incomplete and like something is missing (because something is missing). I like seeing players exactly how they were in the moment, not with something blatantly taken out. It’s always too obvious and takes away from the artistry of the card, in my opinion.
I understand why some people like non-licensed products. Sometimes, the missing logos simply don’t bother them—no explanation is needed. Others watch sports to witness athletic prowess and follow the best players, not necessarily teams.
I like athletic prowess and certain players, but I also like logos, colors, and uniformity because it adds an extra artistic element to sports.
My opinion does not mean that I’m right. My opinion does not mean I am a better person because I like licensed over non-licensed. I wanted to write this because I am tired of the discourse that comes up during this topic. Someone who does not like non-licensed sports cards is often labeled a snob, and people who do like them are labeled consumers who will buy anything.
Neither is true. Buying sports cards is about personal preference. You don’t have to like them; there is also no problem with liking them. Although, I would be lying if I didn’t cringe a little when I see people opening up these products hoping to win the lottery by pulling a rookie auto. Still, to eaches own. If that makes you happy, go for it.
With all that being said, I’m starting to see things differently when it comes to collecting non-licensed sports cards, and that’s because of Topps Composite Football.
Topps nailed this set by creating many cards where the players are positioned in ways that you wouldn’t be able to see the logos anyway. This creates an aesthetic where the missing logos aren’t as noticeable. Topps didn’t invent anything new, but by using this technique frequently and combining it with a variety of very cool mini-sets, they produced a stellar, non-licensed product.
It also helped that almost the entire lineup is made of legendary players I grew up watching or idolizing. I’m a big fan of collecting players from the past, so this set was perfect for me in that aspect.
I still didn’t like the cards where you could tell there was a missing logo. Nothing can change my opinion about those. That’s also why I didn’t enjoy Topps Chrome Basketball. Too many cards were in that set where the missing logos were very obvious.
In the end, Topps Composite Football was a fun product and taught me that non-licensed sports cards can be fun.
Thank you for reading my opinion, and if you would like to see what I pulled when opening up some Topps Composite Football, please check out my video: https://youtu.be/wLjPEVMQi9g
