Briana Fahey’s Journey to Art Director at Topps

Topps Art Director Briana Fahey Talks Shop

Date: Mar 10, 2026

Topics: Cards and Culture, Trending, Women's History Month

Length: 1519 Words

Reading Time: ~8 Minutes

For Briana Fahey, the path to becoming Art Director at Topps was anything but linear. What started as a passion for film and animation took an unexpected turn in college, ultimately leading her into the world of design — and, eventually, to sports and collectibles.

From building creative initiatives at major New York sports organizations to finding her dream role at the intersection of fandom and storytelling, Briana’s journey is a testament to trusting your instincts and embracing every pivot along the way.

Briana Fahey is an Art Director at Topps, where she blends sports fandom, storytelling, and collectibles design. Her journey from film student to creative leader includes roles with New York Road Runners and the WNBA’s New York Liberty, shaping her approach to brand authenticity, large-scale design, and fan-first creative strategy.

RIPPED: What first sparked your interest in design, and how did that path ultimately lead you to your role as Art Director at Topps?

Briana Fahey: “If you’ve seen my Slack icon, it’s no surprise I’m a big movie fan. I originally went to school planning to pursue a degree in film & animation. However, a packaging design elective completely rerouted my plans in the best way. (Thanks, Mr. Sporzynski!) 

“After a short stint at a legal media company, I was poached by New York Road Runners, which really kickstarted my career in sports. From there, I joined the WNBA’s New York Liberty, where I led creative across merchandising, social, and overall brand.

“After an exciting playoff run, Topps came calling, and it felt like the perfect next step.”

What experiences before joining Fanatics/Topps had the biggest impact on your creative perspective and leadership style?

“At NYRR, I learned how to design for scale and for real people. The work goes far beyond something that lives on a screen. You are building for thousands of people with deeply personal connections to the sport and events. It taught me how to balance strong design with practicality.

“My time with the New York Liberty shaped me even more. Being involved in such a large footprint meant thinking big picture and moving fast. Sports is 24/7 — there is no offseason. You learn how to make decisions quickly, trust your instincts, and build trust so everyone can do their best work.”

What drew you to Fanatics and Topps specifically, and what made it feel like the right next step in your career?

“My one true love has always been hockey. For better or for worse, I am a diehard Florida Panthers fan. I grew up going to games in Sunrise, and that was my first real introduction to the energy of sports fandom. The rats, the rituals, the emotional highs and lows, the community, and somehow the even more lows you didn’t know were possible.

“And I’ve always been a not-so-secret nerd, heavily involved in fandom spaces. Online forums, zines, etc. My interview at Topps was spent mostly talking about my Dungeons & Dragons group and my childhood love of TCG games.

“What drew me to Fanatics and Topps is that perfect overlap between sports fandom and geekery — the storytelling, the collecting, the world-building, the passion. Working in the collectibles space feels like a natural bridge between those two interests.

“Working at Fanatics in the collectibles space has been a dream come true, and a real full-circle moment. I’ve been to the Topps booth at New York Comic Con countless times, and to be on the other side is still a bit surreal three years later. ”

As an Art Director working within a major sports and collectibles brand, how do you approach balancing creativity with brand identity and business goals?

“A ‘by fans, for fans’ ethos I think is important when making anything we do. Whether it’s touching a Disney or football property, the work has to feel authentic. Fans can tell when something feels forced, and it’s our job to make sure they have trust in our brand. The details matter. (My 200-layer Photoshop files can attest to that.)

“At the same time, creative work has to support real business goals. Whether we’re trying to sell through a drop, elevate a premium product, or build hype before launch, the visuals should help drive that outcome.”

Is there a particular project or initiative you’ve led that you’re especially proud of? What made it stand out to you?

“I loved working with our teams on NBA Flagship. Seeing my work on 5th Avenue was a trip. It was also a true testament to what a true team effort our product launches are. A project like that does not happen in a silo. It involves athlete partnerships, packaging, marketing, PR, retail, and so many other teams moving together.

“It was truly an all-hands effort, and being part of a group that brought something of that scale to life was really rewarding.”

What does your creative process typically look like from early conceptualizing to final execution?

“There’s honestly no secret formula. Once I get a brief and understand what the goal is, I start pulling references and building out rough ideas. The Internet will say it’s for grandmas, but Pinterest is a goldmine for inspiration.

“I try not to overcomplicate it at the beginning. It’s about getting thoughts out of my head and onto the paper or screen.

“Then I do a gut check. Is it cool? Does it resonate with our audience? Does it feel true to the brand? Does it scale? Then it’s off to the races.”

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, what has your experience been as a woman in the sports and collectibles space, and how have you seen opportunities for women evolve?

“Sports and collectibles have historically been male-dominated spaces, and there are definitely moments where you’re aware of that. Visit any hobby shop or sports industry event. But at the same time, I’ve been lucky to work alongside incredibly talented women and allies who are reshaping what the space looks like.

“What’s been exciting to see is how much the landscape is shifting with the fandom. The idea of who a “sports fan” or “collector” looks like is expanding, and brands are starting to reflect that more intentionally, us included. There’s still work to be done, but the opportunities feel broader, and the representation feels more visible.”

What advice would you give to young women who are hoping to build a career in creative leadership, sports branding, or design?

“Take up space. Sports and creative leadership can still be male-dominated, but your perspective is valuable because it’s different. Don’t shrink your ideas — the industry always needs new voices.

“Be intentional about what you want your career to look like and take real steps to get there. Network. Find your people, whether that’s mentors, peers, other women in the industry, and remember that people are much more willing to help than you think. Raise your hand. Be fearless. Most skills are learned by doing, and doing what you genuinely love will always set you apart.”

Topps Women’s History Spotlight FAQs

Who is Briana Fahey at Topps?
- Briana Fahey is an Art Director at Topps under Fanatics Collectibles. She leads creative initiatives that balance brand storytelling, fan authenticity, and business performance across sports and entertainment properties.
What was Briana Fahey’s career path before Topps?
- Before joining Topps, she worked at New York Road Runners and led creative for the WNBA’s New York Liberty, overseeing merchandising, social media, and brand identity initiatives.
What major Topps projects has she worked on?
- One standout project was NBA Flagship, a large-scale launch that required cross-functional collaboration across packaging, athlete partnerships, marketing, PR, and retail.
What advice does she give women entering sports and design?
- Take up space. Build networks intentionally, seek mentorship, and don’t minimize your ideas. Creative leadership thrives on new perspectives and fearless execution.