In a groundbreaking move within the sports card market, Burbank Sportscards has struck an exclusive deal with Fanatics Collect, a newly launched platform, to list their impressive inventory of 40 million sports cards. The deal, coming just 11 days after the official launch of Fanatics Collect, is set to make waves at the 2024 National Sports Collectors Convention.
Burbank Sportscards, a prominent seller in the industry, has built a strong reputation on eBay since 2003, selling over 6.8 million items. Additionally, the shop has facilitated the transaction of another 7.2 million cards through the Beckett Marketplace since 1999, solidifying its position as a key player in the card trading community.
Chris Lamontagne, the president of Fanatics Collect, expressed his excitement about partnering with Burbank Sportscards, praising the shop’s reputation within the industry. For Rob Veres, owner of Burbank Sportscards, this collaboration marks a significant opportunity for growth. The plan includes listing trading cards on Fanatics team shops alongside merchandise like jerseys and caps, ensuring a comprehensive representation of players and teams.
While acknowledging the risk of moving away from the safety of eBay, Veres sees this as a necessary step to expand their business horizons. To prepare for this strategic partnership, Burbank is relocating to a new 14,000-square-foot facility. This space will feature in-store kiosks enabling customers to order cards on-demand, drawn from a stock of 25 million cards that can be pulled by staff in real-time.
The immediate challenge lies in seamlessly integrating all 40 million cards into the Fanatics Collect platform. However, Burbank’s sophisticated in-house inventory system will facilitate this process, with cards expected to be available on the platform within the next month. Initially, cards purchased in-store at Burbank will have an exclusive listing on the shop before being made available on Fanatics Collect.
Unlike other sellers on the platform whose cards are shipped by Fanatics, Burbank will handle its fulfillment. Veres anticipates potential growth in his 25-member team to around 50 within six months to meet the rising demand.
Despite the upcoming challenges, Veres is optimistic about the move. He envisions opportunities for curated card drops and aims to play a significant role in upcoming Fanatics events. Veres expressed his belief in the unlimited potential of the platform, comparing it to previous marketplaces where he felt a “glass ceiling” on growth.
Both Fanatics Collect and Burbank Sportscards foresee a long-term partnership with ambitious goals. Fanatics aims to attract and retain new customers, while Veres is focused on achieving continuous sales growth. In addition to expanding its inventory of low-end cards, Burbank plans to increase its high-end card collection on the platform, aiming for a broader market reach.
Veres envisions a global outreach, stating his desire for sports fans from all over the world to discover Burbank Sportscards through the partnership with Fanatics. This collaboration is seen as a significant step towards revolutionizing the sports card market and offering customers an unparalleled buying experience.
