Burbank Sportscards, a prominent player in the sports card market, has made a groundbreaking move by joining forces with Fanatics Collect in an exclusive agreement. The deal involves listing Burbank Sportscards’ vast inventory of 40 million sports cards on the newly launched Fanatics Collect platform, marking a significant transition in the trading card industry.
The announcement of this deal, just 11 days after the official launch of Fanatics Collect, has generated considerable buzz within the sports collectibles community and is poised to be a highlight at the upcoming 2024 National Sports Collectors Convention. Burbank Sportscards, well-known as a leading seller with a strong presence on platforms like eBay and Beckett Marketplace, is now set to expand its reach through this collaboration with Fanatics Collect.
Chris Lamontagne, president of Fanatics Collect, expressed his excitement about partnering with Burbank Sportscards, citing the company’s reputation and esteemed owner, Rob Veres. Lamontagne highlighted their shared vision of working with top-tier partners, making Burbank an ideal choice for collaboration. The decision to enter into this exclusive partnership was solidified after a visit to Burbank Sportscards, where Lamontagne was impressed by the store’s operations and Veres’s commitment to excellence.
Rob Veres, the owner of Burbank Sportscards, views the partnership with Fanatics Collect as a strategic move to propel his business forward. By listing trading cards on Fanatics team shops alongside popular merchandise like jerseys and caps, Veres aims to provide customers with a comprehensive range of products featuring various players and teams. While acknowledging the challenge of moving away from platforms like eBay, Veres sees this partnership as an opportunity for growth and innovation in the evolving sports card market.
To prepare for this collaboration, Burbank Sportscards is making significant moves, including relocating to a larger 14,000-square-foot facility. The new space will feature in-store kiosks that allow customers to order cards on-demand, tapping into a stock of 25 million cards that can be retrieved by staff promptly. This customer-centric approach is aligned with Burbank’s commitment to enhancing the shopping experience for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
One of the initial hurdles Burbank faces is integrating its extensive inventory of 40 million cards into the Fanatics Collect platform. Leveraging their advanced in-house inventory system, Burbank anticipates a seamless transition, with cards expected to be available on the platform within the coming month. Additionally, Burbank will handle its own fulfillment process, setting them apart from other sellers on the platform and enabling them to maintain their high standards of service.
Looking ahead, Veres envisions exciting possibilities with Fanatics Collect, such as curated card drops and active participation in upcoming Fanatics events. By leveraging the platform’s potential and audience reach, Burbank aims to expand its market presence and attract a global customer base of sports enthusiasts who may not have been familiar with the brand before.
Both Fanatics Collect and Burbank Sportscards view this partnership as a long-term venture with ambitious goals. Fanatics aims to draw in new customers and enhance engagement, while Veres seeks continuous sales growth and an expanded market presence. With plans to increase the inventory of high-end cards on the platform alongside millions of low-end cards, Burbank is poised to make a significant impact in the sports card community through its collaboration with Fanatics Collect.
In conclusion, Burbank Sportscards’ exclusive deal with Fanatics Collect signifies a pivotal moment in the sports card market, signaling a shift in distribution channels and opening up new opportunities for growth and innovation in the industry.
