Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin on Sports Memorabilia, Fanatics Fest, and Business Growth

Fanatics' Business Pillars

• 💡 Fanatics operates three primary businesses: Fan Gear (Fanatics Commerce), a $7 billion operation; Betting and Gaming (Fanatics Sportsbook), projected to reach nearly $1 billion in revenue in its second year with over 100% annual growth; and the Collectibles business, which is expected to exceed $3 billion next year.
• 🚀 Combined, these ventures position Fanatics to be a $12 billion+ company next year, with significant growth anticipated.

Fanatics Fest: Building a Beloved Brand

• 🎯 Fanatics Fest is positioned not just as a marketing opportunity, but as a crucial event to foster a beloved brand image among fans.
• 🎪 The event has grown significantly, with nearly 100,000 tickets sold for this year's festival, attracting sports fans globally.
• 🤝 Fanatics Fest uniquely leverages relationships with all major sports properties (NFL, NBA, MLB, UFC, etc.) and attracts over 300 athletes, including major stars like LeBron James, Tom Brady, and C.J. Stroud.

Event Experience and ROI

• 🎭 The festival offers a unique experience with diverse content tracks, including athlete panels, live shows like "The Shop" with LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Tom Brady, and celebrity appearances.
• 📈 While Fanatics Fest incurred a $15 million loss in its first year and is expected to lose money again this year, it's viewed as a small marketing expense within the context of the larger $12 billion business.
• 📸 Key metrics for success are fan happiness and social reach, with plans for numerous viral stunts and internet-breaking moments, aiming to amplify social engagement significantly compared to the previous year.