Fanatics’ collectibles division announced a major personnel move Tuesday with the hiring of prominent sports agent Omar Wilkes as its Head of Athlete Relations.
Wilkes, the son of Basketball Hall of Famer Jamaal Wilkes and a former college player at California, had joined Klutch Sports in 2020 after eight years as an agent with Octagon Sports.
Klutch represents LeBron James, Anthony David, Anthony Edwards, Draymond Green, Trae Young, De’Aaron Fox and several other basketball stars. According to Fanatics, Klutch negotiated more than $2 billion in contracts.
The hire looks to be a major step in Fanatics’ plans for its sports collectibles business. Having a liaison with strong connections to players and agents is in line with the company’s plans to give players and leagues a big stake in the trading card markets it will own in the coming years.
With Fanatics Collectibles, Wilkes will be charged with building and strengthening relationships with athletes, leagues, teams, agents and others as Fanatics tries to expand its business for trading cards, autographs and other items. The company says Wilkes will “act as an ambassador between Fanatics Collectibles and the athlete and entertainment communities” as the company focuses on “creating exclusive products and experiences for collectors and fans.”
Wilkes will continue to be based in Los Angeles and will report directly to Mike Mahan, who was hired as the CEO of Fanatics Collectibles last year.
Related Stories:
Fanatics Collectibles Hires Ken Turner for New Chief Marketing Role
Mike Mahan Named CEO of Fanatics Collectibles
Fanatics Will Soon Make Presence Felt in Live Box Breaks, Shopping
Sudden Resignations at Panini as Fanatics Looks to Fill Trading Card Positions
Panini Takes Fanatics to Court Over Employee Departures
Notes: Bedard Day; Fanatics Strategy; Sesame Street and 1972 Topps Football; Simms, Florio Talk Memorabilia
Fanatics Hired Outside Firm for ‘Randomness Check’ of Topps Products
PWCC to Become Fanatics Collect While Fanatics Inks High-End Auction Deal with Sotheby’s
