In a groundbreaking move within the sports card market, Burbank Sportscards has sealed an exclusive agreement with Fanatics Collect, paving the way for the listing of its vast inventory of 40 million sports cards on the newly established platform. This strategic partnership, unveiled just 11 days post the official launch of Fanatics Collect, is poised to stand out as one of the most significant transactions at the 2024 National Sports Collectors Convention.
Burbank Sportscards, a prominent player in the industry, has been a dominant force on eBay since 2003, with an impressive track record of over 6.8 million items sold. Additionally, the shop has facilitated the sale of another 7.2 million cards through the Beckett Marketplace starting from 1999, solidifying its position as a major entity in the card trading community.
Chris Lamontagne, the president of Fanatics Collect, expressed his enthusiasm about partnering with Burbank Sportscards, citing the shop’s exceptional reputation in the industry. He emphasized the importance of collaborating with top-notch entities like Burbank Sportscards for the platform’s success and growth.
For Rob Veres, the owner of Burbank Sportscards, this collaboration with Fanatics Collect presents a golden opportunity to elevate his business to new heights. The strategic aim is to list trading cards on Fanatics team shops alongside popular merchandise such as caps and jerseys, ensuring a comprehensive representation of players and teams in the market.
Despite the apprehensions about exclusivity away from eBay, Veres views this partnership as a chance for significant growth and expansion. The move to a spacious 14,000-square-foot facility with in-store kiosks for on-demand card ordering marks a proactive step towards enhancing the customer experience and increasing operational efficiency.
One of the immediate challenges for Burbank Sportscards is the seamless integration of all 40 million cards into the Fanatics Collect platform. Leveraging their advanced in-house inventory system, Burbank aims to have the cards visible on the platform within the upcoming month. Initially, cards purchased in-store at Burbank will enjoy a brief exclusivity period before being listed on Fanatics Collect.
In a departure from the norm, Burbank will manage its fulfillment process independently instead of relying on Fanatics for shipping. Veres anticipates an expansion of his current team of 25 staff to around 50 within six months to cope with the anticipated surge in demand.
Despite the hurdles on the horizon, Veres exudes confidence in this strategic move, highlighting the untapped potential and opportunities that Fanatics Collect offers. He envisions curated card releases on the platform and anticipates an active role in future Fanatics events, signaling a dynamic and engaging partnership between the two entities.
Both Fanatics Collect and Burbank Sportscards see this collaboration as a long-term venture with ambitious objectives. While Fanatics Collect aims to attract and retain a new stream of customers, Veres is focused on achieving sustained sales growth. With plans to enhance its inventory with high-end cards alongside millions of low-end cards on the platform, Burbank is geared towards expanding its market presence and catering to a broader audience of sports enthusiasts worldwide.
