In a groundbreaking move for the sports card industry, Burbank Sportscards has solidified an exclusive partnership with Fanatics Collect, where their impressive collection of 40 million sports cards will be up for grabs on the newly launched platform. This collaboration comes just a mere 11 days post the official debut of Fanatics Collect and is anticipated to be among the most talked-about transactions at the 2024 National Sports Collectors Convention.
A heavyweight in the field, Burbank Sportscards has reigned as a prominent seller on eBay since 2003, boasting a record of over 6.8 million items sold. Additionally, the company has vended another 7.2 million cards through the Beckett Marketplace starting from 1999, solidifying its stature within the card trading community.
Chris Lamontagne, the President of Fanatics Collect, expressed his admiration for Burbank Sportscards, particularly highlighting Rob Veres, the owner, stating, “From the perspective of Fanatics, we’ve got this kind of belief of working with the best, and Rob was at the top of the list.” Lamontagne recounted his visit to the store, citing a feeling of immediate synergy that propelled them towards this partnership.
For Rob Veres, associating with Fanatics Collect signifies a golden opportunity to elevate his business endeavors. The plan involves listing trading cards on Fanatics team shops alongside popular merchandise like caps and jerseys to ensure a comprehensive representation of players and teams, catering to a wide array of enthusiasts.
Acknowledging the risk involved in stepping away from the familiar territory of eBay, Veres candidly stated, “Having a conversation that included exclusivity away from eBay, that’s a terrifying thought.” Despite this apprehension, he emphasized the importance of seizing fresh opportunities and taking that leap of faith for business growth.
Prepared for this monumental leap, Burbank is transitioning to a sprawling 14,000-square-foot facility, equipped with in-store kiosks that permit customers to order cards on-the-spot. These innovative kiosks will provide access to a stock of 25 million cards that can be promptly retrieved by staff while patrons await their prized collectibles.
The immediate challenge lies in seamlessly integrating all 40 million cards into the Fanatics Collect platform. Burbank’s sophisticated in-house inventory system will streamline this process, with cards anticipated to start populating the platform within the upcoming month. Initially, cards purchased in-store at Burbank will remain exclusive to the shop for a brief period before transitioning to the Fanatics Collect platform.
Diverging from other sellers whose cards are fulfilled by Fanatics, Burbank will independently manage its fulfillment operations. Veres envisions a potential expansion of his current team of 25 retail and e-commerce personnel to 50 individuals within the ensuing six months to accommodate the heightened demand.
Despite the foreseeable challenges, Veres remains resolute in his decision, perceiving vast possibilities in curated card drops on the platform and foreseeing an integral role in forthcoming Fanatics events. Expressing his optimism, Veres shared, “I always feel that there’s a glass ceiling with any marketplace I’ve been on. I feel for the first time that I have an unlimited opportunity on a platform.”
For both Fanatics Collect and Burbank Sportscards, this partnership marks the inception of a long-term collaboration with ambitious objectives. Fanatics aims to allure and retain a fresh wave of customers, while Veres targets sustained sales growth. In addition to the millions of low-end cards, Burbank plans to expand its collection of high-end cards on the platform, widening its market outreach and global presence.
Veres articulated his vision, stating, “I want people coming from all over the world that are sports fans that did not know I existed. I think the only company we can pull that off with is Fanatics.” This strategic alignment between Burbank Sportscards and Fanatics Collect sets the stage for a vibrant and thriving future within the sports card industry.
