ContactS:
Catherine K. Jessup
The Topps Company, Inc.
212-376-0300

or

Betsy Brod/Jonathan Schaffer
Brod Group, LLC
212.750.5800

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



New York, NY, June 19, 2003 - The Topps Company,  Inc. (Nasdaq:  TOPP) confirmed
today  that  it has  received  a  Statement  of  Objections  from  the  European
Commission relating to an investigation commenced by the Commission in 2000. The
investigation has been previously reported in the Company's securities filings.

The  Statement  of  Objections  is the  first  formal  step in the  Commission's
antitrust   investigation  relating  to  certain  alleged  practices  of  Topps'
subsidiaries  relating  to the  sale  of  Pokemon  products  in  Europe.  In its
Statement,  the Commission has come to the preliminary conclusion that Topps and
its European subsidiaries  infringed Article 81 of the EC Treaty (prohibition of
anti-competitive  agreements)  during  2000  by  preventing  parallel  trade  of
products in some EU member states.

A full response by Topps' European subsidiaries to the Commission's Statement of
Objections  is  planned.  Topps will  vigorously  defend its  interests  in this
matter.

The Topps  Company,  Inc.  is an  international  marketer of  confectionery  and
entertainment  products.  Founded in 1938,  Topps created  Bazooka bubble gum in
1947 and marketed its first baseball  cards in 1951. For additional  information
about Topps, please visit the Company website at www.topps.com.