Fanatics Creating Their Own Shows, How Does This Effect The Future of The Hobby?

[Seven]

https://sportscollectorsdigest.com/n...s-sports-cards

I'm sure many of us have seen this headline, if you haven't, the gist of it is that Fanatics is creating their own card/memorabilia/collectables shows, with exclusive guests that include celebrities from sports,music and pop culture.

Personally, I think this is an effort to capture the newer side of the hobby, and assuming its success, it will take away many of the breakers, and younger side of the hobby that has starting come to the National in droves.

My fear is that they will attempt to muscle out some of the traditional larger shows from certain areas. It's borderline impossible to compete with the corporate might of a company like fanatics. Thoughts?

[Bigdaddy]

Originally Posted by Seven

https://sportscollectorsdigest.com/n...s-sports-cards

Personally, I think this is an effort to capture the newer side of the hobby, and assuming its success, it will take away many of the breakers, and younger side of the hobby that has starting come to the National in droves.

My fear is that they will attempt to muscle out some of the traditional larger shows from certain areas. It's borderline impossible to compete with the corporate might of a company like fanatics. Thoughts?

I believe that Fanatics will monetize and monopolize anything and everything they can related to sports and entertainment collectibles - shows, cards, autograph guests, memorabilia, etc.

We're already seeing this on the autograph side with 'Fanatics Exclusive' athletes commanding higher prices and restrictions being put on what and where they can sign.

[Seven]

Originally Posted by Bigdaddy

I believe that Fanatics will monetize and monopolize anything and everything they can related to sports and entertainment collectibles - shows, cards, autograph guests, memorabilia, etc.

We're already seeing this on the autograph side with 'Fanatics Exclusive' athletes commanding higher prices and restrictions being put on what and where they can sign.

I've noticed the second thing that you mentioned. One example of this, is Joe Montana, who I believe is charging something along the lines of $800 to sign his rookie card, at the National.

[mrreality68]

That is why they bought everything they bought to put everything under one umbrella to maximize the synergy to max their profits.
It could turn into a monopoly and hurt the bigger and regional Card shows or if they bring it to areas that are under served then it could be good to attract more youths to the card collection.
In the short term the greatest impact is on the modern collectors from say ‘80’s on both for the current and retired players.
Vintage will be harder to impact the market at least in the short term.

And more shows could over saturate the collection industry with only so much money and so many competing for the money

[Seven]

Originally Posted by mrreality68

That is why they bought everything they bought to put everything under one umbrella to maximize the synergy to max their profits.
It could turn into a monopoly and hurt the bigger and regional Card shows or if they bring it to areas that are under served then it could be good to attract more youths to the card collection.
In the short term the greatest impact is on the modern collectors from say ‘80’s on both for the current and retired players.
Vintage will be harder to impact the market at least in the short term.

And more shows could over saturate the collection industry with only so much money and so many competing for the money

I definitely think that it effects modern more than vintage. Which I wouldn't exactly mind, considering I feel like they're almost two different hobbies within itself.

I would say though, in terms of securing autographs whether they be on cards, or on pieces of memorabilia, the ship is quickly sailing, and people need to do it now, if they want anything, from any player in the last half century or so.

[BeanTown]

I hope they will bring shows to cities which don’t already have shows regularly in place. Not too mention the National hasn’t been run efficiently IMO in how many years? . They just go to two Northern cities over and over and then the hard to get to Atlantic City ever so often. How can there be a list of over 400 dealers wanting to get a table this year???? I hope they hear the music and make some changes.

[Lorewalker]

At first blush I think anyone or any company promoting the industry is a great thing. Fanatics is a behemoth in the industry and has sunk huge money into their concept. At this point I do not think this impacts vintage one way or another but could change the modern sector which is an area of the hobby I know nothing about and hope it remains that way.

Just as their are dozens of auction houses, large and small, who all seem to do well enough to stay afloat, I think there is room for the smaller shows and will always been a need and desire to attend them.

[Bill77]

Originally Posted by Seven

I've noticed the second thing that you mentioned. One example of this, is Joe Montana, who I believe is charging something along the lines of $800 to sign his rookie card, at the National.

Joe Montana has always been expensive. He was charging $400 for his autograph 20 years ago.

[Seven]

Originally Posted by Bill77

Joe Montana has always been expensive. He was charging $400 for his autograph 20 years ago.

Thanks for informing me of this, Bill.

It's not surprising, considering the conversation around Montana for the length of his career, but it's still unfortunate to hear. One of my biggest gripes is the fact that these Athletes charge so much for their signatures. Of course they are in high demand, but you price out a good portion of the population.

[commishbob]

Originally Posted by Bigdaddy

I believe that Fanatics will monetize and monopolize anything and everything they can related to sports and entertainment collectibles - shows, cards, autograph guests, memorabilia, etc.

We're already seeing this on the autograph side with 'Fanatics Exclusive' athletes commanding higher prices and restrictions being put on what and where they can sign.

Yup. They will probably move to acquiring auction houses next.

[puckpaul]

The collector shows/convention market has been in need of professionalism for a long time, so let’s see if this can be a good thing…more and bigger and better shows in more places. On the other hand, not a hige fan of what Fanatics has been doing, so less hopeful about it given that.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by commishbob

Yup. They will probably move to acquiring auction houses next.

They've already acquired PWCC.

[Tony Gordon]

Funny that SCD would get that article wrong because Fanatics purchased SCD’s old Chicago Sportsfest show many years ago and moved it from Schaumburg to Rosemont. Prior, Fanatics purchased the Chicago Sun-Times show, renamed it Fanatics Authentics Sports Spectacular. They ran several Sports Spectacular shows in Florida and in Boston as well.

So Fanatics did a shite job with those shows. Many dealers, such as myself, dropped out. I believe it was employees from Fanatics that purchased the Sports Spectacular. I could be wrong and quite possibly Fanatics still runs the show. Anyway the Chicago Sports Spectacular has gotten much better these past few years and I started to set up again. However, booth fees have gone way up. I’m not sure if I’m setting up at their March show. They may have priced me out.

The gist of the story is that Fanatics is not new to operating card shows. Based on their history operating shows, I do not expect their new card show wing to dazzle anybody.

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by Tony Gordon

Funny that SCD would get that article wrong because Fanatics purchased SCD’s old Chicago Sportsfest show many years ago and moved it from Schaumburg to Rosemont. Prior, Fanatics purchased the Chicago Sun-Times show, renamed it Fanatics Authentics Sports Spectacular. They ran several Sports Spectacular shows in Florida and in Boston as well.

So Fanatics did a shite job with those shows. Many dealers, such as myself, dropped out. I believe it was employees from Fanatics that purchased the Sports Spectacular. I could be wrong and quite possibly Fanatics still runs the show. Anyway the Chicago Sports Spectacular has gotten much better these past few years and I started to set up again. However, booth fees have gone way up. I’m not sure if I’m setting up at their March show. They may have priced me out.

The gist of the story is that Fanatics is not new to operating card shows. Based on their history operating shows, I do not expect their new card show wing to dazzle anybody.

What so many promoters lose sight of is "content first", I promoted a music festival for 25 years, cardinal rule was to have a compelling line up or content.
Everybody thinks this stuff is easy, it ain't. Squeezing your content providers is not the way. I'd posit a creative business model that was based on sales might be better, base rate for dealers and a percentage of gross sales to get rid of the museum Nancys, reward high net buyers with premium access/discounts etc.
Think Vegas, reward the money spenders and content providers, move it up the exclusive ladder and ditch the tire kickers, it's not a hard concept just takes some creativity.

[chalupacollects]

The thinking at Fanatics is to run as much as they can. They went and signed Wemby and the 3 top QB’s in the NFL draft mainly so Panini can’t offer RPAs in upcoming products. Also the major card distributors just had to sign an agreement that they can’t and won’t sell to breakers or lose allocations. Lastly, one of their shows will be set to coincide with the current national show. Their leadership is driven…


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[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by chalupacollects

Their leadership is driven…

[Lobo Aullando]

So, which will happen first?

1. The market hits a trough, the returns are never enough for investors, and they're not able to really monopolize things (not for lack of trying).
2. They become a vertically integrated monopoly and draw an antitrust lawsuit.

Originally Posted by chalupacollects

The thinking at Fanatics is to run as much as they can. They went and signed Wemby and the 3 top QB’s in the NFL draft mainly so Panini can’t offer RPAs in upcoming products. Also the major card distributors just had to sign an agreement that they can’t and won’t sell to breakers or lose allocations.