NBA legend LeBron James has recently entered into an exclusive multi-year agreement with Fanatics for trading cards and collectibles, marking a new chapter in his career in the sports memorabilia domain. This partnership concludes his previous long-term arrangement with Upper Deck, where he was featured in their card and memorabilia collections until last year.
LeBron, in a statement released by Fanatics, expressed his excitement about the new venture, highlighting his eagerness to share more experiences with his fans and acknowledging the importance of celebrating the achievements in sports. He stressed the value of appreciating the journey in athletics.
A key highlight of this partnership is the release of a special card in the 2023-24 Bowman University Chrome Basketball set, scheduled for January 19, showcasing LeBron and his son, Bronny. This distinctive card will feature a dual autograph and portray LeBron in his high school uniform and Bronny in his USC Trojans attire. The set will also include prominent women’s college basketball players Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers.
Mike Mahan, CEO of Fanatics Collectibles, shared his enthusiasm about LeBron joining the Fanatics team, aiming to innovate and enhance the collector’s experience. To complement LeBron's signing, Fanatics is launching a promotional video titled “Origin of Greatness,” narrated by LeBron, which showcases the early stages of various athletes associated with Fanatics.
The signing with Fanatics signifies the end of LeBron's over two-decade-long relationship with Upper Deck. Upper Deck, in a statement, acknowledged their fruitful collaboration with LeBron, emphasizing their role in elevating his brand in the collectibles market and their involvement with the LeBron James Family Foundation. They expressed honor in having LeBron as a key figure in the Upper Deck family.
