• Loading stock data...
Monday, August 25, 2025
The biggest names in sports media. All in one room. Buy tickets now!

Fanatics Strikes Trading Card Deal with NBA

  • Fresh off its deal with MLB and the MLBPA, Fanatics struck a trading card deal with the NBA and its players association.
  • It also has a deal with the NFL’s players association.
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

Fanatics unseated the biggest name in baseball trading cards last week — and it’s just getting started.

The Jacksonville-based company has secured a deal with the NBA and its players association to replace Panini as the league’s card maker, per The Athletic. Fanatics will hold exclusive rights to produce trading cards bearing NBA intellectual property starting in 2026.

Fanatics, primarily an online sports merchandise company, is starting a trading card company. The NBA, NBPA, MLB, MLBPA, and NFLPA will all hold equity stakes.

The deal is the latest move in a momentous August for Fanatics. 

  • Last week, news surfaced that Fanatics had ousted Topps as MLB’s cardmaker. Topps and a SPAC called off a planned $1.3 billion merger in the wake of the news, and both sides are mulling legal action.
  • The company is planning a move into sports betting. It partnered with Jay-Z on a bid to be one of the permitted mobile sportsbooks in New York State starting next year.

Earlier this month, Fanatics raised $325 million at an $18 billion valuation.

Before Topps’ business was upended last Thursday, it had posted impressive quarterly earnings on Wednesday with a 78% year-over-year increase in net sales to $212.2 million.

The NFL hasn’t struck a deal with Fanatics’ new trading card company yet, but that could change before its current deal with Panini expires.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

The Honey Deuce Effect: How Tennis Perfected the Signature Cocktail

Sold every 1.5 seconds, they total more than $12 million in sales.
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up as the Texas Longhorns prepare to play the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoffs at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.

Schools Are Hesitant to Allow PE Into Their Athletic Departments

Regardless of budget, schools don’t believe the risk is worth the reward.
Malik Beasley

Malik Beasley Could Still Be Charged in Gambling Probe Despite Feds Dropping..

Beasley’s lawyer is hoping his client can return to the NBA.
Oct 2, 2024; Rosemont, IL, USA; Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti speaks with the media during the 2024 Big Ten Women’s Basketball media day at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.

‘Not Ready to Jump In’: Power 4 Commissioners Aren’t Sold on PE

Top leaders in college sports have yet to see a satisfactory proposal.

Featured Today

Nov 23, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin looks at quarterback Drew Allar (15) during the first quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium.

Private Equity Enters College Sports—Without the Equity

As college football starts, lending agreements have become PE’s best way in.
Sep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) returns a kickoff against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half at MetLife Stadium.
August 18, 2025

‘Fauxbacks’ Throw Back to a Retro Uniform That Never Existed

Many throwback jerseys are brand-new designs or “Franken-Unis.”
August 17, 2025

‘Labubu Gang’: The Creepy-Cute Dolls Sweeping Pro Sports

The creepy-cute doll is the hottest collectible—and fashion statement.
Middle Tennessee wide receiver Cam'ron Lacy (86) catches a pass and carries the ball during the season final home football game against New Mexico State on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024.
August 15, 2025

How Middle Tennessee State Added $668,000 to Its NIL Budget

The Blue Raiders are creating a new blueprint for cutting costs.

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
June 24, 2025

Timberwolves’ 4-Year Ownership Saga Ends As A-Rod, Lore Take Over

The unanimous approval brought a clean end to a long-disputed transaction.
Apr 26, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) before game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center.
June 25, 2025

Rockets Get $20 Million in Wiggle Room From New VanVleet Deal

VanVleet first signed with the Rockets in 2023.
Sponsored

Building A Pro League From Scratch

Front Office Sports and Gainbridge® spotlight what it takes to build a professional women’s soccer league.
April 20, 2025

Max Verstappen Linked to $300M Aston Martin Deal Ahead of Miami GP

Aston Martin is currently seventh in the constructors championship.
March 27, 2025

Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions Gets PE Boost

The Hall of Famer’s company gains another prominent backer.
March 20, 2025

High School Sports Power Signs Eight-Figure Rights Deal in First

The deal pays roughly $1 million annually, FOS has learned.
March 20, 2025

Maxx Crosby’s Agent: Edge Rushers Set to Dominate NFL’s Non-QB Market

Maxx Crosby just signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension.