LeBron James, the renowned NBA superstar, has made waves in the trading card industry by signing an exclusive multi-year partnership with Fanatics Collectibles. This division of Fanatics specializes in trading cards and collectibles, and this new deal marks the end of LeBron’s long-standing relationship with Upper Deck.
Expressing his excitement about the partnership, LeBron stated that he is eager to share more special moments with his fans and celebrate the accomplishments of athletes in their prime. He emphasized the importance of recognizing both the big milestones and the subtle achievements in the world of sports.
To commemorate this much-anticipated collaboration, Fanatics is preparing to release a unique trading card featuring LeBron and his son, Bronny James. This special card will be part of the highly anticipated 2023-24 Bowman University Chrome Basketball set, which is scheduled to hit the market on January 19. The card will be a 1/1 on-card dual autograph, showcasing LeBron in his old St. Vincent-St. Mary’s high school uniform, and Bronny in his USC Trojans jersey. Alongside the duo, the set will also feature other notable players like Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, who are women’s college basketball All-Americans, among its 100 players.
Mike Mahan, the CEO of Fanatics Collectibles, expressed his excitement about having LeBron join the Fanatics family. He aims to push the boundaries of the hobby further and foster enthusiasm amongst fans and collectors. To promote the card release, Fanatics has even created a captivating video titled “Origin of Greatness,” which is narrated by LeBron himself. The video highlights the early moments of various Fanatics athlete partners and serves as an exciting preview for what’s to come.
LeBron’s signing with Fanatics is a significant development for the company, given his more than two-decade association with Upper Deck. Upper Deck acknowledged the longstanding collaboration with LeBron and the significant impact they had in building his brand into a highly valuable collectible. They also highlighted their work with the LeBron James Family Foundation, expressing their gratitude for having had LeBron as a part of their Upper Deck family.
This exclusive trading card deal between LeBron James and Fanatics marks the beginning of a new era in the collectibles industry. With Fanatics’ expertise in the field, coupled with LeBron’s massive fan base and popularity, it is expected that this partnership will create even more exciting opportunities for collectors and fans alike. The anticipation for the release of the special card featuring LeBron and his son is building, and fans are eagerly awaiting its arrival on the market.
As LeBron James ventures into this new chapter of his trading card journey, fans and collectors can look forward to a fresh lineup of captivating and highly sought-after cards. The collaboration between LeBron James and Fanatics Collectibles is set to bring a new wave of excitement and innovation to the world of trading cards, solidifying LeBron’s legacy both on and off the basketball court.
