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

Seven · #1 07-16-2023, 12:23 PM

Quote:

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 · #2 07-16-2023, 12:36 PM

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 · #3 07-16-2023, 02:54 PM

Quote:

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 · #4 07-16-2023, 03:03 PM

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.

ocjack · #5 07-16-2023, 03:11 PM

I agree the initial impact will be on the newer collectibles. But I also agree that if it means more shows in my area (Southern California), then that's a good thing and may make the established shows rethink their location scheduling.

Hankphenom · #6 07-16-2023, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

Assuming you meant there are 400 dealers wanting a table who can't get one, no wonder Fanatics wants in on that action! As for all the major changes in the hobby recently, from the influx of the hordes of younger collectors bidding up the shiny stuff to the passing of icons like Bill Huggins and Mark Jordan, it definitely feels like a changing of the guard and generations is proceeding apace. The first time I felt that was at a Richmond Tuff Stuff show about 30 years ago, when there was a separate Beanie Baby room and a young dealer next to me with nothing but brand new stuff who was doing great business selling boxes of cards to kids who would then go to a corner of the room, sit down and tear through the packs to find refractors and whatnot to sell back to the same dealer, leaving thousands of worthless cards on the floor! Man, I thought, those guys--the dealer and his customers both--really have it going, while I was humping my old stuff from show to show desperately hoping to leave with a wad big enough to make it worthwhile. But I'm 77 now, and as with so many other areas of life, I feel like I've had my time in the hobby, loved it, and hope the newer generations enjoy their time as much as I did mine. As my hero Bob Dylan wrote: "Everything passes, everything changes, just do what you think you should do."

Eric72 · #7 07-16-2023, 07:07 PM

More than likely, it will lead to two separate and distinct hobbies:

Those who embrace/participate in Fanatics' model of the hobby
Those who ignore/avoid the things Fanatics puts in place

Some people will likely try to keep one foot in each side of the hobby, especially at first. In my opinion, though, they'll eventually gravitate towards one thing or the other, hyped up "events" or traditional card shows.

Huck · #8 07-17-2023, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric72

More than likely, it will lead to two separate and distinct hobbies:

Those who embrace/participate in Fanatics' model of the hobby
Those who ignore/avoid the things Fanatics puts in place

Some people will likely try to keep one foot in each side of the hobby, especially at first. In my opinion, though, they'll eventually gravitate towards one thing or the other, hyped up "events" or traditional card shows.

Agreed. The Fanatics marketing assumption seems to be that the hobby explosion over the past three years will continue to grow exponentially. The company should be doing all it can to help the remaining brick and mortar card store owners and show promoters. Fanatics wants to control the main distribution points of product (ex. Amazon, Target, Walmart). Fanatics does have quite the roster of exclusive athletes. I don't see how this hurts vintage card collectors.

I had this same feeling when Krause publications bought Tuff-Stuff and promised to continue having shows. Krause just wanted to sell magazines. Fanatics is a different beast.

BillyCoxDodgers3B · #9 07-17-2023, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric72

More than likely, it will lead to two separate and distinct hobbies:

Those who embrace/participate in Fanatics' model of the hobby
Those who ignore/avoid the things Fanatics puts in place

A more concise (and far more polite) version of what I would have said.

Those who gravitate to modern sparkliness and pathetic Sharpie scribbles can all form a separate camp elsewhere and it would be a dream come true. If any of them tire of the rigmarole, then I'd happily welcome them over to the vintage side. All of what Fanatics offers has thus far been of no personal use and had no impact on my area of the hobby as I utilize it. Happy to keep it that way.

Bigdaddy · #10 07-18-2023, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric72

More than likely, it will lead to two separate and distinct hobbies:

Those who embrace/participate in Fanatics' model of the hobby
Those who ignore/avoid the things Fanatics puts in place

Some people will likely try to keep one foot in each side of the hobby, especially at first. In my opinion, though, they'll eventually gravitate towards one thing or the other, hyped up "events" or traditional card shows.

From this point on, please refrain from using the words 'Fanatics' and 'Hobby' in the same sentence. Fanatics has no interest in being involved in a hobby. Their only interest is in a commodity based business where they see unexploited potential for profit and growth. Much like the major card manufacturers during the spin up to the junk wax era.

Crap, I just broke my own rule.

Exhibitman · #11 07-16-2023, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

Absolutely agree. There is a giant show at Anaheim Labor Day Weekend. I will be setting up there.

packs · #12 07-17-2023, 08:24 AM

I think they will learn an old lesson: there isn't a lot of money in card shows and that's why there aren't a lot of them.

jingram058 · #13 07-17-2023, 08:36 AM

For a majority of folks on net54, it will be great. It will be all about newer stuff, but the old school will go along for the ride. All about grading and money.

For the minority raw collectors, buyers, sellers, traders, it won't matter.

parkplace33 · #14 07-17-2023, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by packs

I think they will learn an old lesson: there isn't a lot of money in card shows and that's why there aren't a lot of them.

Concur on that. Everything has moved online (even older dealers are now selling online).

Exhibitman · #15 07-17-2023, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by packs

I think they will learn an old lesson: there isn't a lot of money in card shows and that's why there aren't a lot of them.

That's not really accurate.

Card shows died because of online venues and have resurged in part because of online venues. Costs and restrictions online creep up and a table fee starts looking pretty good by comparison. I'm in the eBay punishment zone right now because I accidentally double-listed several cards and had to cancel the sales. I am now paying 19.5% of the sum of the closing price and shipping and sales tax, plus $0.30 per sale, as my eBay fees. Destroyed the market niche I was carving out for myself. Actually, cheaper to consign to an AH if I can get a zero-commission deal.

I ran some shows a decade ago. It takes a few shows to get your business model ironed out but once you do, the potential is there for a profitable endeavor, especially with the fevered market today. Our first two shows lost money, the last one was a break-even event. With some cost-cutting, I think we could have gotten it profitable. With the atmosphere today, I definitely think there is a profitable model out there. If I had the time, I would absolutely try it again. Heck, the National is a for-profit event; it is how the show owners make a living.

ocjack · #16 07-17-2023, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Absolutely agree. There is a giant show at Anaheim Labor Day Weekend. I will be setting up there.

Thanks for letting me know about the Anaheim Show. I live in Orange County and had not heard or seen any advertising for the show. But I was able to finally find info for the show on-line and will be definitely attending. Finally, something to look forward to!

Lorewalker · #17 07-16-2023, 03:08 PM

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 · #18 07-16-2023, 06:58 PM

Quote:

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 · #19 07-16-2023, 09:59 PM

Quote:

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.

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