Fanatics Collectibles will become the provider of WWE’s physical and digital trading cards.
Professional wrestling company World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) (NYSE: WWE) and Sports Betting Company Fanatics have teamed up to release NFT Trading Cards. Speak OK, Fanatics will use its digital sports platform to design and deploy NFT trading cards. The sports and entertainment collaboration is “long-term” and will see the launch of “e-commerce and licensed merchandise” and physical, digital and NFT trading cards. Specifically, the deal will produce merchandise and memorabilia and unveil new WWE online stores to sell the merchandise. Candy Digital, which is the NFT division of Fanatics, will become one of WWE’s NFT partners.
The partnership will allow WWE fans to display their passion on the Fanatics platform. Fanatics reiterated that the offerings would allow WWE fans across the globe to celebrate their superstars, marquee events, and the WWE brand as a whole. Notably, Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Candy Digital will be working together under the deal.
WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon commented on the partnership and praised Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin. Stating that Fanatics is an industry leader and that Rubin is a visionary, McMahon added:
“We believe this multi-platform partnership will set a new standard for WWE e-commerce, apparel, and merchandise while providing our fans globally with more ways than ever to engage with WWE and our Superstars.”
Details of the long-term partnership between Fanatics and WWE
Additionally, Fanatics and the WWE team, who have grown the business internally over the years, will work closely together. Fanatics will also include the rights to create, produce and distribute real-time on-demand merchandise collections honoring WWE Superstars. Merchandise collections will also be used to celebrate unique WWE moments. Additionally, Fanatics will soon reintroduce a WWE Shop exclusive. The e-commerce and mobile destination will allow WWE fans around the world to have access to WWE merchandise. Merchandise categories include apparel, title belts, headgear, and other accessories and goods.
Just as WWE CEO praised WWE, Rubin also acknowledged the wrestling company. The Fanatics CEO said:
“WWE is one of the most admired sports and entertainment properties in the world, and it made perfect sense to activate many parts of our global Fanatics platform to create a one-of-a-kind fan experience. electronics and licensed merchandise to collectible cards and more, we’ll be delivering an incredible set of features to help passionate WWE fans around the world celebrate their favorite Superstars, signature events and the WWE brand in general.
Exclusively, Fanatics Collectibles will become the provider of WWE’s physical and digital trading cards.
At the time of writing, WWE shares had risen 2.44% in after-hours trading to $62.49. The company has made gains over the past year, up 9.03%. While the pro wrestling business has jumped nearly 24% year-to-date, it has also grown 24.57%. Over the past month, WWE has added 2.78% and another 0.305 over the past five days.
