Today, Fanatics and Sotheby’s have joined forces in a groundbreaking partnership that is set to shake up the high-end sports card market. This collaboration signals a new era for collectors, as the two powerhouse companies team up to offer exclusive auction events for sports enthusiasts looking to buy and sell highly coveted sports cards valued at $100,000 or more. The collaboration will see both live and online auctions being held by the prestigious auction house, Sotheby’s.
To complement this game-changing partnership, Fanatics is also unveiling Fanatics Collect, a cutting-edge collectibles marketplace that is expected to go live later this summer. This new platform will replace the well-known PWCC brand and will be a hub for collectors, featuring auctions, a Buy Now marketplace, secure vaulting services, and partnerships for authentication and grading to ensure the highest standards of quality and reliability for collectors.
The much-anticipated inaugural auction under this collaboration is slated to take place in September in New York City and will showcase a valuable PSA 8 1948 Leaf #79 Jackie Robinson card. This particular card holds significance as the exclusive rookie card of the baseball icon and is part of a legendary post-war card set known for its striking design and collection of Hall of Famers.
Nick Bell, the CEO of Fanatics Collect, has highlighted the cultural impact and widespread appeal of this partnership, emphasizing the global visibility it will offer to these prized sports cards. On the other hand, Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s Head of Modern Collectibles, has expressed his enthusiasm for ushering the trading card market into a new era through innovative exhibitions and exciting events that will captivate collectors worldwide.
The collaboration between Fanatics and Sotheby’s heralds an exciting new chapter in the world of trading cards, promising a future filled with innovation and enhanced accessibility for collectors. With ambitious plans to introduce features like peer-to-peer trading, AI concierge services, and digital collectibles, Fanatics Collect is positioning itself as the go-to online destination for sports card enthusiasts in search of rare and high-quality additions to their collections. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the sports card industry, setting the stage for a bright and dynamic future for collectors worldwide.
