In a trailblazing transparency move, Fanatics, the sports collectibles giant partnered with Topps, called on the audit savant KPMG to unravel the authenticity of its card distribution processes. This bold maneuver is an answer to the long-flamed issues among collectors and dealers, questioning the randomness and fairness of the distribution of high-value cards.
Without beating around the bush, Mike Mahan, Fanatics Collectibles CEO, brought the much-awaited news to light at the Industry Conference held in Atlanta. As per Mahan, KPMG, after months of intense examination, stretched a thumbs up affirming that Fanatics/Topps had a solid wall against any intentional allocation of coveted cards to particular customers.
Among collectors, the dust of suspicion has long blown, questioning if Fanatics/Topps had been too kind to big-volume customers or well-known breakers. The power of social media played its part by fanning the flames. A slew of videos showcasing breakers unveiling multiple value cards stirred the waters, sparking debates on the randomness of pack contents.
Stepping into the limelight, Greg Abovsky, the CFO of Fanatics Collectibles, shot those speculations down. He reaffirmed that finding high-value pulls from major breakers regularly was more a statistical play owing to the massive volumes they handle. It has nothing to do with the company dipping its hands into the packing process.
Diving deep into the heart of operations, KPMG carried out a detailed assessment at the Texas-based printing facility, which is the birthplace of these cards. The audit lap included an extensive review of the collation process and the production logs of each job. The aim was clear – to assert if the card distribution indeed kept up to its claim of being random, just like Topps had always maintained.
This pioneering initiative from Fanatics is being heralded as the first of its kind within the industry. The primary goal is to put to rest the myths swirling around their distribution process and solidify their bond of integrity with the collector community.
The CFO didn’t stop at just audit revelations. He also put to rest another prevalent suspicion among collectors – that Fanatics was in the habit of seeding boxes with precious cards for advertising gains. Stating just the opposite, Abovsky assured everyone that Fanatics had never dipped its toes in such shady waters.
With the plans of turning randomness audit into an annual event, Fanatics is pulling out all the stops. It’s a robust, apparent demonstration of their relentless commitment to fairness and transparency within their operational sphere. This move is set to enrich their relationship with collectors and dealers alike, bringing honesty and openness to the fore, and ensuring that trust, like well-shuffled cards, is well distributed.
