Today, digital sports platform Fanatics and NBA superstar LeBron James
announced a new, exclusive multi-year trading card partnership that will see
James join Fanatics Collectibles, the company’s trading card and collectibles
division.
“As someone who appreciates all the moments – big and small – along the
journey, I’m excited to share more with my fans through this partnership with
Fanatics,” said LeBron James. “In sports there is so much greatness to
celebrate and I’ve always been one to take a moment to recognize that in
athletes at the top of their games. It’s all about celebrating the journey and
enjoying those moments, with many more to come.”
“We are both thrilled and honored
to have LeBron join the Fanatics
family,” said Fanatics Collectibles CEO Mike Mahan. “Our
goal is to push the envelope of where the hobby can go and are excited about
how our collaboration with one of the best athletes in the world will
continue to ignite fan and collector passion.”
In conjunction with the partnership announcement, a unique card featuring
James will be included in the 2023-24 Bowman University Chrome Basketball set,
slated to hit retail Jan. 19. The card is an on-card dual autograph 1/1
alongside his son, Bronny James. James appears in his high school uniform of
St. Vincent-St. Mary’s (Akron, Ohio) while James Jr. is in his USC Trojans
jersey. All-Americans Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers will also be included
in the 100-player set.
“We all start somewhere. First court. First swing. A first down. An upset. A
game-winner. A moment that changes everything…” -- LeBron James in “Origin of
Greatness.” As a part of the launch, Fanatics will release its Origin of
Greatness video, which is narrated by James and focusing on the first moments
of several Fanatics athlete partners and their paths to the top of their
sport.
Fanatics Collectibles
Fanatics Collectibles is a new model and vision for the hobby fundamentally
changing the experience for current and future collectors, leagues, and
players across many professional and college sports. The organization secured
long-term, exclusive rights to design, manufacture and distribute trading
cards for several sports properties, including MLB, MLBPA, NBA, NBPA, and
NFLPA. In January 2022, Fanatics Collectibles announced the acquisition of
Topps, establishing the preeminent licensed trading card brand as the
cornerstone of Fanatics’ trading cards and collectibles business and
jumpstarted its MLB and MLBPA rights to design, manufacture and distribute
trading cards.