As noted earlier, the company entered the market by signing contracts with legitimate minor league prospects, first with as little as $1, later increased $5. Topps negotiated a comprehensive agreement with the MLBPA in 1968 in which the company was permitted to continue manufacturing trading cards bearing player likenesses for double the player's previous yearly fees (from $125 to $250, now up to $500), and paid the union 8 percent on annual sales up to $4 million and 10 percent on all subsequent sales. company personnel would do all the photography and write all the copy for the backs.