Today, a groundbreaking partnership between Fanatics and Sotheby’s has been unveiled, promising to revolutionize the high-end sports card market. This collaboration signifies a significant step forward in reshaping the landscape of sports card collecting, offering collectors exclusive opportunities to buy and sell top-tier sports cards valued at $100,000 or more.
One of the key highlights of this partnership is the introduction of Fanatics Collect, a cutting-edge collectibles marketplace that will launch later this summer. Fanatics Collect will serve as a premier platform for collectors, featuring a range of exciting offerings such as auctions, a Buy Now marketplace, secure vaulting services, and partnerships for authentication and grading. This innovative marketplace will replace the PWCC brand, aiming to provide a dynamic and secure environment for sports card enthusiasts worldwide.
The partnership between Fanatics and Sotheby’s will kick off with an inaugural auction scheduled for September in New York. The highlight of this auction will be a PSA 8 1948 Leaf #79 Jackie Robinson card, revered as the only authentic rookie card of the baseball legend. The card hails from the iconic post-war card set known for its vibrant design and roster of Hall of Famers, making it a prized possession for serious collectors.
Nick Bell, CEO of Fanatics Collect, underscored the cultural significance of this partnership, highlighting the global visibility it will bring to these prestigious sports cards. Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s Head of Modern Collectibles, expressed enthusiasm about pushing the boundaries of the trading card market through engaging exhibitions and innovative events. Together, Fanatics and Sotheby’s aim to elevate the status of sports cards and provide collectors with unparalleled access to rare and high-quality items.
This collaboration signifies a pioneering moment in the evolution of the trading card community, offering a glimpse into an era of innovation and increased accessibility for collectors. Fanatics Collect is poised to become the ultimate online destination for sports card enthusiasts, offering features such as peer-to-peer trading, AI concierge services, and digital collectibles. With a focus on rarity, quality, and exclusivity, this partnership is set to redefine the standards of the sports card market and provide collectors with a new level of excitement and opportunity.
