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Former baseball star CJ Breen brings fresh, innovate approach to Leaf Trading Cards
Leaf Trading Cards leans heavily on a former right-handed power hitter who played Division I college baseball, with time at first base and in the outfield.
His collegiate career ended in 2021 after playing 22 games for St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, and in 2022 he was a member of the Pecos League Championship-winning team, the San Rafael Pacifics.
CJ Breen, the Director of Marketing & Licensing for Leaf, seemingly should attend corporate meetings wearing Easton batting gloves or a Rawlings glove on his left hand.
“I had several job options in the sports industry to work for sports agencies and in the college athletic ranks,” said Breen, who ultimately opted for Leaf, where he brings a young creative approach with the ability to build connections and provide collectors with unique experiences. He manages licensing deals and athlete signings, with a hands-on approach at autograph signings and negotiations.
“I attribute my success to my work ethic developed through sports, always striving to outwork the competition,” Breen said. “I value understanding different perspectives from my experience in diverse locker rooms.
“My goal at Leaf is to elevate the company to the next level, breaking the stigma around unlicensed cards—something we’ve already started to change in the past six months. We’ve seen incredible support, the highest in Leaf’s history, and a lot of that is due to the positive feedback we’ve received from collectors. This success is a testament to the leadership of [executives] Josh Pankow and Gregg Kohn, who have worked tirelessly to put collectors first. Thanks to their vision and dedication, Leaf is on an exciting trajectory toward even greater success.”
Breen’s sporting path took off in his native of Livonia, Mich. He spent his freshman and sophomore seasons at Livonia Stevenson High School, earning all-region, all-district and all-conference accolades both seasons. During his senior season at Divine Child High School in 2017, Breen earned all-city and all-district honors after batting .350.
His collegiate career included time at Chicago State University, Niagara University and St. Cloud State, including a shocking win for Niagara over then-No. 12-ranked Florida State.
In 2021, Breen played for the Anchorage Glacier Pilots, who won the prestigious Alaska Baseball League Championship. His Alaskan adventure also had strong ties to Leaf Trading Cards.
“After my junior season, I had the chance to intern with Leaf, but instead I chose to play in the Alaska League,” Breen said. “I’ve always had a passion for the sports memorabilia and trading card industry, but my real strength lies in networking and deal-making with a marketing mindset. I built a great relationship with Scott Jordan, who was working at Leaf at the time. Scott, a former All-American at Georgia Tech University and Major League Baseball player, introduced me to Leaf and offered me an internship.
“Then I got the call to play in Alaska, which was a dream come true. Playing for such an iconic franchise, one that legends like Randy Johnson, Mark McGwire and Aaron Judge had been part of, was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. We ended up winning the championship that season, which was an unforgettable experience.
“When I returned for my senior year, I reconnected with Leaf. By then, Scott had moved on to another position, and Josh Pankow, Leaf’s president, stepped in and really took me under his wing. He taught me everything I know about the hobby, and he’s one of the best in the business. I’ve also been incredibly fortunate to learn from Gregg Kohn and Brian Gray, who have both played key roles in helping me climb the industry ladder. I couldn’t be more grateful for the guidance of these legends in the hobby.”
Breen has been hobby savvy long before he started working in the industry. He grew up attending card shows with his dad, collecting autographs at games.
“A memorable moment was catching an Alfonso Soriano home run during batting practice in Pittsburgh after skipping school,” he said.
Breen now personally collects ticket stubs and inscribed autographs, highlighted by a signed Dave Portnoy jersey and an autographed, game-used Pete Weber jersey.
Breen kept all the jerseys from teams he played for, “though I wish I had my Alaska League jersey, which Aaron Judge also wore as we both wore the same jersey, No. 31,” Breen said. “I also faced Tarik Skubal my freshman year and have a photo of the at-bat. I’d love to get that signed.”
The earliest cards he got were from his dad: rookies of Reggie Jackson and Tiger Woods. Those relics “will never leave my personal collection,” he said.
NEW LEAF PRODUCTS
Breen brings a fresh, younger perspective to the hobby, specifically Leaf, where he is constantly coming up with innovative ideas, many that are new to the hobby, such as, the first-ever pickleball trading cards.
Leaf released its first-ever pickleball trading card: the 2023 Leaf Pickleball Premier Edition, which highlights the top players in the game, marking Pickleball’s first full-fledged trading card set. And Leaf brought all the bells and whistles: rookie cards, numbered foil parallels and rare autograph cards, including Ben Johns, Anna Leigh Waters, and Drew Brees.
Leaf Pickleball cards went from a niche idea to a million-dollar segment, Breen said.
Leaf also now offers cards in conjunction with the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) and the Professional Bull Riders (PBR), and this summer announced it acquired the exclusive license to produce National Lacrosse League (NLL) cards.
In addition, Leaf announced months ago that it acquired the exclusive license for Power Slap, the world’s premier slap fighting league. Power Slap, known for its intense slap fighting competitions, has gained popularity as a new addition to the world of combat sports. Leaf will create a unique line of cards featuring the most iconic and viral moments, athletes and highlights from Power Slap events.
“Every day [at Leaf] is different and never dull,” Breen said. “I’m always brainstorming new ideas, developing marketing strategies, signing athletes and celebrities to exclusive deals, and managing the acquisition of licenses for various leagues.
“I have a love-hate relationship with executives. I wish the playing field were more open, as it would create a better experience for collectors. However, it’s a necessary part of the landscape, especially with what’s happening on the manufacturing side. That’s why Leaf has made such a big impact by signing top NIL football players exclusively, setting us apart in the industry.”
What’s coming next?
“I’m excited and proud to be part of two upcoming projects. First, we’re releasing a Blue Mountain State product, featuring autographs from the entire cast,” Breen said. “Second, we’re launching the first-ever, female-focused product, Women of Sports, showcasing autographs from top female athletes and personalities. Supporting female athlete representation in trading cards is something I’m deeply passionate about, and Leaf is leading the way as one of the biggest advocates for female athletes in the hobby.”
