Nope! Thats the old way of thinking!
Once upon a time, card companies had to cut deals with the union and league to make cards. Both would have to settle any conflicts to make sure Topps wasn't duplicating ideas that Donruss Inc sent them. Or Upper Deck over Pacific. Or Fleer over Collectors Edge. Or, you get it.
Now, there will be one company making licensed cards. No conflicts. And both the Union and the League have ownership in that company. No more design delays. Meaning cards can be made quicker, and available to be signed.
Back then, once the above was done. You had to find a printer and get in line to actually have your cards made. That would delay which sets you could print, to send off for on card signatures.
Now, Topps owns the printer! No delays, and they can print what they want when they want. To send out for those on card autos.
Back then these card companies had to cut deals with all the bigger players, and negotiate for autos. They would also send cards blindly to their agents/house, and ask to get them signed quickly and sent back to be packed out.
Now, they have exclusive deals with most all the top players. And have regularly scheduled signings with each, and direct access. They work how many of what gets signed, and exactly when, into contracts that go on for years.
https://www.fanaticsauthentic.com/x-714
When you are owned by the leagues, print your own cards and have everyone already signed to existing contracts for their signatures. You don't need to stock pile signed stickers. You control everything from soup to nuts.