NBA superstar LeBron James has made a groundbreaking move in the world of trading cards, as he recently signed an exclusive multi-year partnership with Fanatics Collectibles. This marks the end of his long-standing relationship with Upper Deck, concluding a previous card and memorabilia contract.
Fanatics, a renowned name in the sports merchandise industry, expressed their excitement about the collaboration with LeBron James. The partnership aims to celebrate the achievements of athletes at the height of their careers and provide fans with more opportunities to connect with their favorite sports stars.
LeBron himself expressed his enthusiasm for the new partnership. He emphasized the importance of recognizing both the major milestones and the subtle moments in sports. By teaming up with Fanatics, he hopes to share more of these moments with his fans, creating lasting memories through collectible trading cards.
To mark the beginning of this partnership, Fanatics will release a special card featuring LeBron and his son, Bronny James. This highly anticipated card will be part of the 2023-24 Bowman University Chrome Basketball set and will be available from January 19th. The limited-edition card will feature 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 other basketball talents, such as women’s college basketball All-Americans Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, among its 100 players.
Fanatics Collectibles CEO Mike Mahan shared his excitement about having LeBron on board. He believes that this partnership will push the boundaries of the hobby and ignite even greater enthusiasm among fans and collectors. In addition to LeBron’s signing, Fanatics is promoting the card release with a unique video titled “Origin of Greatness,” which is narrated by LeBron himself. The video takes viewers on a journey through the early moments of various Fanatics athlete partners, capturing the essence of their greatness.
LeBron’s decision to part ways with Upper Deck after more than two decades was a significant move. Upper Deck acknowledges their longstanding collaboration and the role they played in establishing LeBron’s brand as a highly valuable collectible. They also recognize their collaborative efforts with the LeBron James Family Foundation. Upper Deck expressed gratitude for having had LeBron as part of their family and wished him well in his future endeavors.
The partnership between LeBron James and Fanatics opens up a new chapter in the world of trading cards and collectibles. Fans can now look forward to a fresh era of LeBron James memorabilia, celebrating his illustrious career and the impact he has made on the basketball world. With Fanatics at the forefront, it seems that the future of collectibles is in good hands.
