In a thrilling turn of events for the sports card industry, Burbank Sportscards has struck an exclusive deal with Fanatics Collect, making them the exclusive listing agent for their expansive collection of 40 million sports cards on the newly-launched platform. This agreement, announced just 11 days after Fanatics Collect’s debut, is anticipated to be one of the major highlights at the upcoming 2024 National Sports Collectors Convention.
Burbank Sportscards, a prominent seller with a strong presence on eBay since 2003, boasting over 6.8 million items sold, has now taken an innovative step in partnering with Fanatics Collect. Their significant track record includes selling an additional 7.2 million cards through the Beckett Marketplace since 1999, solidifying their position as a key player in the card trading community.
Chris Lamontagne, president of Fanatics Collect, expressed his excitement about working with Burbank Sportscards, singling out owner Rob Veres as a top industry player. Lamontagne shared his amazement after visiting Veres’ store, stating there was an undeniable feeling of partnership that needed to be explored further. The collaboration aims to expand the reach of trading cards by featuring them alongside team merchandise, providing fans with a wide array of products representing different players and teams.
For Rob Veres, the decision to collaborate with Fanatics Collect marks an opportunity for growth and diversification of his business. While acknowledging the daunting prospect of moving away from eBay, a significant revenue source for Burbank Sportscards, Veres expressed his confidence and willingness to take a leap of faith. The shift also includes relocating to a new 14,000-square-foot facility equipped with in-store kiosks for on-demand card ordering.
The primary challenge ahead involves seamlessly integrating 40 million cards into the Fanatics Collect platform. Burbank’s advanced in-house inventory system is poised to streamline this process, with cards expected to be visible on the platform in the upcoming month. Initially, cards purchased at the physical store will have an exclusivity period of one to two days before being listed on Fanatics Collect.
In a departure from the standard practice of having cards shipped by Fanatics, Burbank will handle its own fulfillment. To meet the anticipated surge in demand, Veres plans to potentially double the current staff count of 25 retail and e-commerce employees to 50 within six months.
Despite the challenges, Veres is optimistic about the transition. He envisions curated card drops on the platform and envisions an active role in future Fanatics events. Veres also sees the move to Fanatics Collect as a gateway to unlimited opportunities, with the potential for unmatched growth and global visibility.
Both Burbank Sportscards and Fanatics Collect envision this partnership as a long-term commitment with ambitious objectives. Fanatics aims to attract and retain new customers, while Veres sets his sights on sustained sales growth. As Burbank plans to expand its range of high-end cards on the platform alongside millions of low-end cards, the partnership sets the stage for an exciting evolution in the sports card market.
Veres succinctly captures the essence of this groundbreaking collaboration by expressing his desire for global recognition among sports fans worldwide, underscoring Fanatics as the ideal partner to achieve this vision.
