LeBron James Signs Exclusive Deal with Fanatics
A surprise? Given the previews for 2023-24 Bowman Chrome University Basketball, no. But Fanatics and LeBron James have made their partnership official. It’s a multi-year exclusive that will see the NBA’s all-time leading scorer appear in trading card products from Fanatics Collectibles. It also means new LeBron James autograph cards — and the first from a company that isn’t Upper Deck.
James’ first autograph is slated for 2023-24 Bowman Chrome University Basketball, which is scheduled to come out on January 19. He’s not alone on the card. Rather, it’s a dual with his son Bronny James. The number of signers on the card is actually greater than the number of copies. The Footsteps Dual Autograph is a one-of-one.
“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.”
In one of his first roles with Fanatics, James narrated a promotional video titled “Origins of Greatness” highlighting Bowman 1st cards of Julio Rodriguez, Victor Wembanyama, C.J. Stroud, Caitlin Clark and others.
James had been an exclusive spokesman with Upper Deck since 2003-04, his rookie season in the NBA. While he had autographs from them for the duration of the deal, James’ last fully licensed NBA autograph cards came out in 2009-10. That’s when Panini took over as the NBA’s exclusive.
It still might be a couple of years before new NBA autographs from James arrive, though. Fanatics’ exclusive with the league doesn’t kick in until 2026.
