NBA superstar LeBron James has recently made a major move in the world of collectibles by signing an exclusive multi-year trading card partnership with Fanatics Collectibles, a division of the popular sports merchandise company Fanatics. This exciting new deal marks the end of James’ 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 enthusiasm for his new partnership and his desire to connect with his fans in new and exciting ways. He spoke of the importance of celebrating the achievements of athletes and the significance of both major milestones and smaller moments in sports.
To celebrate this new partnership, Fanatics is planning to release a special trading card featuring LeBron and his son, Bronny James. The card will be part of the highly anticipated 2023-24 Bowman University Chrome Basketball set, which is set to be released on January 19. The card will be 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. This unique card is sure to be a hot commodity among collectors. The set will also feature other notable players, including women’s college basketball All-Americans Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, among its 100 players.
CEO of Fanatics Collectibles, Mike Mahan, expressed his excitement about welcoming LeBron James into the Fanatics family. He emphasized the company’s commitment to expanding the boundaries of collecting and fostering enthusiasm among fans and collectors alike. Alongside LeBron’s signing, Fanatics is launching a captivating video titled “Origin of Greatness,” narrated by James himself. The video showcases the early moments of various Fanatics athlete partners, further adding to the excitement surrounding the release of the new cards.
LeBron James’ partnership with Fanatics is a significant addition for the company, considering his more than two-decade association with Upper Deck. Upper Deck acknowledged this long-standing collaboration with LeBron, highlighting their joint efforts in building his brand into a highly valuable collectible. They also recognized their work with the LeBron James Family Foundation and expressed gratitude for his time as a part of the Upper Deck family.
This new trading card partnership between LeBron James and Fanatics marks an exciting new chapter in the world of collectibles. With LeBron’s immense popularity and Fanatics’ dedication to innovation, fans and collectors can expect great things to come from this collaboration. The special LeBron and Bronny James card is just the beginning, and collectors everywhere are eagerly awaiting the release of the 2023-24 Bowman University Chrome Basketball set.
