In a monumental move within the sports card market, Burbank Sportscards has made an exclusive agreement with Fanatics Collect, unveiling its vast inventory of 40 million sports cards on the newly launched platform. This groundbreaking deal, announced a mere 11 days after the official launch of Fanatics Collect, is set to be one of the standout transactions at the 2024 National Sports Collectors Convention.
A dominant force in the industry, Burbank Sportscards has been a key player on eBay since 2003, boasting a remarkable 6.8 million items sold. Additionally, the shop has facilitated another 7.2 million cards through the Beckett Marketplace since 1999, solidifying its position as a major entity in the card trading community.
Chris Lamontagne, president of Fanatics Collect, expressed his admiration for Burbank Sportscards, stating, “From the perspective of Fanatics, we’ve got this kind of belief of working with the best, and Rob [Veres] was at the top of the list.” Lamontagne further emphasized the importance of the relationship, recalling a visit to the store which solidified the decision to collaborate with Burbank Sportscards.
For Rob Veres, the owner of Burbank Sportscards, the partnership with Fanatics Collect represents a prime opportunity for business expansion. The goal is to feature trading cards on Fanatics team shops alongside popular merchandise like caps and jerseys, ensuring a diverse representation of players and teams across the platform.
Acknowledging the exclusivity away from eBay, Veres described the decision as daunting. He acknowledged eBay’s significant role in their revenue stream and the longstanding relationships built on the platform. However, recognizing the need for growth, Veres embraced the prospect of a new partnership with Fanatics Collect.
To prepare for this significant leap, Burbank Sportscards is relocating to a new 14,000-square-foot facility, complete with in-store kiosks enabling customers to order cards on-demand. With a stock of 25 million cards accessible through these kiosks, staff will promptly retrieve cards as customers wait.
The primary challenge lies in integrating all 40 million cards into the Fanatics Collect platform efficiently. Burbank’s sophisticated in-house inventory system will facilitate this process, with cards projected to be available on the platform within the upcoming month. Initially, cards purchased in-store at Burbank will remain exclusive to the shop for a brief period before being listed on Fanatics Collect.
In contrast to other sellers whose cards are fulfilled by Fanatics, Burbank will manage its fulfillment independently. Veres anticipates the need to expand his current team of 25 retail and e-commerce staff to potentially 50 within six months to meet the surge in demand.
Despite the obstacles ahead, Veres is resolute in his decision, envisioning curated card drops on the platform and anticipating an active role in forthcoming Fanatics events. He expressed confidence in the seemingly limitless opportunities presented by this collaboration.
Both Fanatics Collect and Burbank Sportscards view this as a long-term alliance with ambitious objectives. For Fanatics, attracting and retaining new customers will be fundamental, while Veres aims for consistent sales growth. Alongside boosting its inventory of millions of low-end cards, Burbank plans to expand its collection of high-end cards on the platform, diversifying its market reach.
Veres expressed his aspiration for global recognition, stating, “I want people coming from all over the world that are sports fans that did not know I existed.” He firmly believes that Fanatics is the ideal partner to achieve this goal, signaling a promising future for Burbank Sportscards in the world of sports card trading.
