LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, has inked a groundbreaking deal with Fanatics Collectibles, the trading card division of the online sports retailer. This marks the end of his remarkable 20-year association with Upper Deck in the sports memorabilia sector.
The terms of the deal, announced on Wednesday, remain undisclosed. LeBron’s partnership with Upper Deck began in 2003, where he secured his first million just before graduating high school and shortly before being drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
LEBRON JAMES EXPLODES TO THE RIM FOR THE POSTER 😱
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Fanatics Collectibles, known for signing top athletes across various sports, has recently added LeBron James to its roster. Notably, the partnership extends to include LeBron’s son, Bronny. The duo will feature on a special trading card set to debut on January 19 in the 2023-24 Bowman University Chrome Basketball collection.
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In this unique card, LeBron will be seen donning his high school uniform from St. Vincent St. Mary’s in Akron, Ohio, while Bronny will showcase his current USC Trojans uniform. This collaboration signifies a fresh chapter in LeBron’s illustrious career.
Having surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the NBA scoring record last year, LeBron James guided the Los Angeles Lakers to the Western Conference finals. Currently in his 21st NBA season, and sixth with the Lakers, the four-time champion and league MVP remains a dominant force on the court.
LeBron hinted at this groundbreaking deal earlier in the week through an Instagram post, sharing an image of himself examining documents adorned with the Fanatics logo. The move to Fanatics Collectibles aligns with the recent trend of athletes joining the platform for exclusive memorabilia partnerships.
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Meanwhile, Bronny James, already a successful figure in the realm of name, image, and likeness deals, boasts multiple endorsement contracts. This latest development solidifies the James family’s influence both on and off the basketball court, marking a significant transition for LeBron as he embarks on this new chapter with Fanatics Collectibles.