On the third annual Fanatics Fest, ESPN’s Kevin Negandhi instructed the gang that Dallas Mavericks celebrity Cooper Flagg, the reigning NBA Rookie of the Yr, simply signed his one-of-one numbered rookie debut patch autograph card (RDPA) simply offstage.
“It is undoubtedly an important factor we have had signed at Fanatics Fest,” Mike Mahan, CEO of Fanatics Collectibles, instructed ESPN. “When somebody indicators their debut patch, it is a huge deal and Cooper Flagg — he is into playing cards in an enormous method — appreciates what this implies and the way particular the second is.”
Mahan says it is probably the most anticipated basketball card “in a protracted, very long time.”
Fanatics’ unique NBA buying and selling card license started in October. Flagg headlines the primary crop of basketball’s rookie debut patch autograph playing cards in one of the vital anticipated releases in years: 2026 Topps Chrome Replace Basketball (out Aug. 6). Flagg’s card, in addition to the RDPA playing cards of classmates Kon Knueppel, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey and Derik Queen, shall be inserted as redemption playing cards.
“Particular playing cards join you to an athlete of their greatest second — the primary time they step on the courtroom or discipline, the peak of accomplishment, breaking information — and that depth of connection and richness of storytelling, that authenticity, we’re bringing to life via innovation and partnership with leagues, groups and athletes,” Mahan mentioned.
The present excessive paid for any Flagg card is $366,000 in a March public sale, however the jersey Flagg wore within the first half of his debut — which the cardboard’s patch was faraway from — bought for $1 million in February, a then-record paid for a jersey at NBA Auctions.
“When Paul Skenes’ bought for $1.11 million final 12 months, that actually opened collectors as much as the potential of rookie debut patch autograph playing cards,” Geoff Wilson, founding father of Sports activities Playing cards Investor, instructed ESPN. “I mentioned, when Flagg has one and it sells, it’s going to exceed that, perhaps $1.5 million.
“Now? 5 million. It is definitively his greatest card.”
Mahan talks about what’s subsequent for Fanatics: TCG — a class which incorporates Magic: The Gathering and Pokemon — “is gonna be an space” they discover; given their rights portfolio, multisport crossovers are on the desk; and know-how could possibly be a extra “significant half” of the gathering expertise, so it is a spot Fanatics is investing closely: “We wish to enhance the collector expertise on daily basis and we predict the time has come to have an app that has every thing you want as a collector.”
However Fanatics’ lodestar of “work with athletes and produce them into the fold” has yielded an attention-grabbing by-product: Athletes chasing their rookie debut patch autograph playing cards.
“They could possibly be huge collectors, they may not acquire in any respect: Athletes need them,” Mahan says. “It is change into this iconic image. For us, it is gratifying — but it surely’s the start, not the top. We’re simply getting began.”
Negandhi requested Flagg if he’d take a run at shopping for his as soon as it is pulled.
“Possibly ultimately,” Flagg mentioned. “I might need to attend till I get my second contract, however perhaps ultimately.”
