LeBron and Upper Deck had a 20-year love affair that benefited both sides. But it is hard to imagine Upper Deck is happy today as Fanatics is Lebron’s new fling.
LeBron James has signed a multiyear deal with Fanatics Collectibles after spending two decades with rival Upper Deck. James and Fanatics will release their first card together on January 19, 2023. Photos of the card have been removed, and collectors will surely pay a premium.
Pro-Tip: Michael Jordan Rookie Cards are one of the best long-term investments in basketball cards, while Connor Bedard Rookie Cards are our top pick in the Hockey Card niche.
The 1-of-1 card features images of LeBron James in his St. Vincent-St. Mary’s high school uniform and Bronny James in his USC Trojans jersey with dual on-card autographs from the father-son pair. You can view the card below:
“As someone who appreciates all the moments – big and small – along the journey, I’m excited to share more with my fans through this partnership with Fanatics,” James said.
“We are both thrilled and honored to have LeBron join the Fanatics family,” said Mike Mahan, Fanatics Collectibles CEO. “Our goal is to push the envelope of where the hobby can go and are excited about how our collaboration with one of the best athletes in the world will continue to ignite fan and collector passion.”
Why did LeBron James leave Upper Deck?
Money.
Fanatics were willing to pay more, and they could spend more. Upper Deck is no longer the powerhouse it was in the 1990s, and they cannot sign big names like they did in 2001.
LeBron may have been swayed by Fanatics’ willingness to feature his son Bronny.
LeBron James Upper Deck Rookie Cards
Upper Deck will always own some of the best LeBron rookie cards. An autographed 2003-04 Exquisite Rookie Patch numbered 14 of 23 exists and was sold at auction for $1.8 million in June 2020.
How much is the deal worth?
The exact contract amount is unknown, but industry experts feel it is around 5 million dollars. Fanatics, owned by billionaire Michael Rubin, have the money to spend.
Rubin is worth an estimated $11.5 billion, while LeBron is 1 billion. James was the first active NBA player to become a billionaire. He is signed with PepsiCo, Walmart, and Nike. Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan are the only sports stars worth more than LeBron.