Fanatics and Sotheby’s announced a collaboration presenting collectors with the opportunity to purchase “the rarest and most covetable” sports trading cards valued at $100,000 or higher.
The partnership coincides with the announcement of Fanatics Collect, a new collectibles marketplace set to launch this summer. The platform will connect buyers and sellers of trading cards and memorabilia through fixed-priced listings and auctions.
Through the partnership, Fanatics Collect and Sotheby’s will showcase a curated selection of trading cards through dedicated live and online auctions hosted by Sotheby’s. The venture adds to Sotheby’s sports and modern collectibles department, a category the auction house launched in 2022, and has since achieved world records at auction, particularly for game-worn memorabilia.
The first live auction will be held this September in New York, including a 1948 Leaf #79 Jackie Robinson card (PSA 8), estimated between $275,000 to 350,000.
“This unique partnership is a reflection of the elevated status and cultural impact of the hobby and gives these highly sought-after cards incredible reach and visibility to potential collectors around the world,” said Fanatics Collect CEO Nick Bell. “We’re truly excited to be able to pair our knowledge in high-end sports cards with Sotheby’s unrivaled expertise in storytelling across exceptional fine art and objects.”
“We are thrilled to partner with Fanatics Collect to pioneer the evolution of the trading card market to new heights,” said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s head of Modern Collectibles. “Through high-end auctions, state-of-the-art exhibitions, and exhilarating events, this collaboration marks a significant milestone within the ever-growing and engaged trading card community. We eagerly anticipate ushering promising collectors into an exciting new era of innovation and accessibility.”
Alongside the launch of Fanatics Collect, starting this month, Fanatics is retiring the PWCC brand. All services previously provided by PWCC, including auctions, marketplace listing, vaulting, and authentication, will be provided under the Fanatics Collect brand.
The Fanatics Collect platform launches with a “reimagined fixed-price marketplace experience” with weekly and monthly auctions. Later this year, Fanatics Collect will introduce a range of new updates, including peer-to-peer trading, AI-powered concierge services, card scanning, and digital collectibles.
