NBA fans and collectors everywhere rejoice as LeBron James, the renowned basketball superstar, enters into an exclusive partnership with Fanatics Collectibles, a division of Fanatics specializing in trading cards and collectibles. This highly anticipated deal marks the end of LeBron’s long-standing relationship with Upper Deck, the prominent sports and entertainment trading card company, with whom he had a previous card and memorabilia contract that concluded last year.
In a statement, LeBron expressed his excitement about this new partnership, emphasizing his desire to connect more intimately with his fans and celebrate the accomplishments of athletes at the peak of their careers. He believes that it’s essential to acknowledge both the monumental and subtle milestones in the world of sports.
To mark this momentous collaboration, Fanatics is gearing up to release a special trading card featuring LeBron James and his son, Bronny James, as part of the highly anticipated 2023-24 Bowman University Chrome Basketball set, which is set to hit the shelves on January 19. This exclusive card will be a one-of-a-kind on-card dual autograph, capturing an iconic moment with LeBron in his St. Vincent-St. Mary’s high school uniform and Bronny donning his USC Trojans jersey. The set will also include standout women’s college basketball players Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, among a lineup of 100 players.
Fanatics Collectibles CEO Mike Mahan expressed his enthusiasm about LeBron joining the Fanatics family, as the company strives to redefine the boundaries of the collectibles hobby and ignite fan and collector enthusiasm. In addition to LeBron’s signing, Fanatics plans to promote the card release with a captivating video titled “Origin of Greatness,” narrated by LeBron himself. This unique video showcases the early moments of various Fanatics athlete partners, adding an extra layer of excitement to the trading card release.
LeBron’s partnership with Fanatics marks the end of a significant era, following more than two decades of collaboration between LeBron and Upper Deck. Upper Deck acknowledged the substantial contribution they made to building LeBron’s brand into a highly sought-after collectible and their involvement in supporting the LeBron James Family Foundation. They expressed their gratitude for having LeBron as an integral part of the Upper Deck family and wished him the best in his future endeavors.
With this groundbreaking deal, LeBron James is once again revolutionizing the world of sports collectibles. As fans eagerly await the release of the exclusive trading card featuring LeBron and his talented son, Bronny, it’s safe to say that this partnership with Fanatics will set a new standard in the industry, inviting collectors to celebrate and cherish the finest moments in sports history. It’s an exciting time to be a LeBron fan, a collector, and a member of the ever-growing community of sports enthusiasts.
