NBA superstar LeBron James has entered into an exclusive multi-year trading card partnership with Fanatics Collectibles, a division of Fanatics specializing in trading cards and collectibles. This landmark deal marks the end of James’ long-standing relationship with Upper Deck, with whom he had a previous card and memorabilia contract that concluded last year.
Expressing his excitement about the partnership in a statement, James emphasized his desire to share more moments with his fans and celebrate the achievements of athletes at their peak. He believes in the importance of recognizing both the significant and subtle milestones in sports, and this new collaboration with Fanatics allows him to do just that.
As a commemoration of this partnership, Fanatics is set to release a special trading card featuring LeBron and his son, Bronny James. This card will be part of the highly anticipated 2023-24 Bowman University Chrome Basketball set, scheduled for release on January 19. The exclusive card will be a 1/1 on-card dual autograph, showcasing LeBron in his St. Vincent-St. Mary’s high school uniform and Bronny in his USC Trojans jersey. The set will also include 100 players, including women’s college basketball All-Americans Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers.
Fanatics Collectibles CEO Mike Mahan expressed his enthusiasm about LeBron joining the Fanatics family. He stated that this partnership aims to expand the boundaries of the hobby and foster fan and collector enthusiasm. Alongside LeBron’s signing, Fanatics is also promoting the card release with a unique video titled “Origin of Greatness,” narrated by James himself. The video highlights the early moments of various Fanatics athlete partners, adding a special touch to the anticipation surrounding the release.
LeBron’s decision to join forces with Fanatics is a significant addition for the company, following a more than two-decade association between the basketball icon and Upper Deck. Upper Deck acknowledged their longstanding collaboration with LeBron, highlighting their joint efforts in building his brand into a highly valuable collectible and their contributions to the initiatives of the LeBron James Family Foundation. The company expressed gratitude for the privilege of having LeBron as a part of their Upper Deck family.
This exclusive deal with Fanatics marks a new era in collectibles for LeBron James, as he continues to make waves both on and off the basketball court. With his immense popularity and unparalleled success, it’s no surprise that Fanatics is thrilled to have him on board. Fans and collectors across the globe eagerly await the release of the special trading card and anticipate further exciting collaborations from the NBA legend in the future.
