Sotheby's, Fanatics team up to offer rare sports trading card auctions

Fanatics and Sotheby’s are collaborating on a series of live and online auctions that will feature rare and expensive trading cards across various sports. Fanatics, led by Michael Rubin, aims to revolutionize the trading card industry and attract both dedicated collectors and casual sports fans. Sotheby’s seeks to engage a younger audience and tap into their interest in sports, as well as appeal to collectors of fine art, wine, and cars. The partnership aims to target high-end collectors with trading cards worth over $100,000. The first live auction, scheduled for September in New York, includes a 1948 Leaf #79 Jackie Robinson card, expected to fetch between $275,000 and $350,000. Both companies are making efforts in expanding the sports trading card industry with acquisitions and exclusive licensing deals. Sotheby’s is experiencing growth in its sports-related category, attracting new clients who also have an interest in fine art.