Extra Innings · Cards & Faces
Cards Sold With Gum
Fleer Corp. v. Topps Chewing Gum, Inc. (1981)
Charge: Sherman Act monopolization/restraint of trade - rival card maker challenges exclusive player picture deals (suit against the dominant card maker and the players' union)Court: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third CircuitDocket: Cards & Faces
Did a card company's exclusive contracts with ballplayers illegally lock competitors out of the baseball card market?
The facts
For decades one company held exclusive contracts letting it put big-league players on cards sold with gum or candy. A rival card maker said these deals, made with the players' union's involvement, shut it out of the market. A trial court agreed and found an antitrust violation. On appeal, the dominant company pointed out that other companies had by then started selling baseball cards.
You have the facts the court had. Guilty or not guilty? Call it in the game with your friends, then see what the court actually decided. Wrong call, you drink.
Citation: Fleer Corp. v. Topps Chewing Gum, Inc., 658 F.2d 139 (3d Cir. 1981)
Read more at blogs.loc.gov. The source reveals the outcome.