Magic: The Gathering Achieves Record Financial Success Once Again

Hasbro has declared that Magic: The Gathering has experienced its most profitable year ever. This financial triumph is significantly attributed to partnerships with other brands, particularly through its Universes Beyond and Secret Lair product lines. During a recent earnings call, Hasbro disclosed that MTG's revenue surged by 59% compared to the previous year. A major contributor to this success was the release of the Avatar: The Last Airbender set, which has now secured its position as the third best-selling set in the history of Magic, following Final Fantasy and Lord of the Rings. Additional releases from the Universes Beyond series and the Secret Lair products also played a crucial role in this achievement. This substantial 59% increase has positively influenced Hasbro's overall financial performance, which saw a 14% rise year-over-year. This growth was primarily fueled by a remarkable 45% increase in the Wizards of the Coast and Digital Gaming division, with Monopoly Go! also contributing to the results. However, the Consumer Products and Entertainment divisions both reported declines of 4% each. The financial success of Universes Beyond and Secret Lair has caught the attention of Hasbro's executive team, especially as it faces a shareholder lawsuit concerning alleged mismanagement of Magic: The Gathering. The lawsuit claims that the company has overproduced sets, particularly in the Universes Beyond and Secret Lair lines, which has led to a decrease in the value of existing cards. The allegations include serious accusations that top management has strategically held back certain sets to release during times when the company is struggling financially. In response to these allegations, Hasbro asserted that they are without foundation and has sought to dismiss a similar lawsuit from 2024 filed by the West Palm Beach Firefighters' Pension Fund and the City of Miami General Employees & Sanitation Employees' Retirement Trust. The company argues that this complaint has been altered so drastically since its original submission that it no longer pertains to the initial concerns. Hasbro provided a statement addressing these lawsuits in light of their earnings report: "As we communicated earlier this year, these claims have no merit. Our strategic approach to Magic has been put into action, and the results highlight the effectiveness of that strategy. As evidenced by our earnings results announced this morning, Magic: The Gathering has just concluded its most successful year to date." Looking ahead, Magic: The Gathering is set to release a new Universes Beyond set themed around Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which will include a commander deck and is scheduled for launch on March 6.