NBA superstar LeBron James has made waves in the trading card industry by securing an exclusive multi-year partnership with Fanatics Collectibles, a division of Fanatics specializing in trading cards and collectibles. This new deal marks the end of his long-standing relationship with Upper Deck, with whom he had a previous card and memorabilia contract that concluded last year.
In a statement released by Fanatics, LeBron James expressed his excitement for the partnership, emphasizing his desire to share more memorable moments with his fans and celebrate the achievements of athletes at the pinnacle of their careers. The NBA icon stressed the significance of recognizing both the major milestones and the subtler moments in the world of sports.
To celebrate and commemorate this exciting collaboration, Fanatics is set to release a special trading card featuring LeBron James and his son, Bronny James. This unique card will be part of the highly anticipated 2023-24 Bowman University Chrome Basketball set, scheduled for release on January 19. The card, a 1/1 on-card dual autograph, will showcase LeBron in his St. Vincent-St. Mary’s high school uniform and Bronny in his USC Trojans jersey. It will undoubtedly become a highly sought-after collectible. Furthermore, the set will include other notable players such as women’s college basketball All-Americans Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, among the 100 featured athletes.
Fanatics Collectibles CEO Mike Mahan expressed his excitement over adding LeBron James to the Fanatics family. Mahan aims to expand the boundaries of the hobby and inspire fan and collector enthusiasm through this partnership. In addition to LeBron’s signing, Fanatics is also promoting the upcoming card release through a captivating video titled “Origin of Greatness,” narrated by James himself. The video showcases the early moments of various Fanatics athlete partners, offering fans a glimpse into the journey of greatness.
LeBron James’ partnership with Fanatics is a significant coup for the company, as it comes after more than two decades of collaboration between LeBron and Upper Deck. Upper Deck acknowledged their long-standing relationship with the NBA icon, highlighting their efforts in building his brand into a highly valuable collectible. They also expressed gratitude for having had the opportunity to work with LeBron James and the LeBron James Family Foundation.
This exclusive trading card deal with Fanatics marks a new era in collectibles for LeBron James. As he continues to dominate the NBA and inspire fans around the world, his partnership with Fanatics promises to bring exciting opportunities and limited-edition collectibles for sports enthusiasts and trading card collectors alike.
