Tom Brady has changed teams again.
Fanatics has lured the six-time Super Bowl champion quarterback away from TriStar with a new, exclusive long-term autograph and game-used memorabilia deal. No financial details of his new arrangement were released.
Under the new partnership, Fanatics will become the sole distributor of Brady signed memorabilia and other licensed collectibles, which the company says “will feature a significantly expanded collection of Buccaneers products, including footballs, helmets, and jerseys.”
Houston-based TriStar had a long-running autograph deal with Brady, holding numerous private signing sessions over the years.
Fanatics’ corporate offices are in Jacksonville, FL., about 200 miles from Brady’s new home in Tampa/St. Petersburg.
Given Fanatics’ tech-rich platform and the company’s ability to launch special items on-demand, a select number of game-used items from Brady’s first season in Tampa Bay will also be available for purchase in real-time.
Despite not having him under their wing, Fanatics has been offering Brady autographs and memorabilia for years and the company says he’s nearly always been among their top-selling athletes. He was also an integral member of the ALL IN Challenge, the digital fundraiser founded by Fanatics executive chairman Michael Rubin which raised $60 million to feed those in need and support COVID-19 relief. Brady was one of several hundred celebrity participants who offered up an incredible item or experience to raise money during the pandemic, donating game-used items from his first game in Tampa Bay and a future VIP home game package that fetched $800,000.
“Fanatics is a brand synonymous with authenticity, in both the merchandise they provide and the timeless memories they create that go well beyond a jersey or a football,” Brady stated. “Michael Rubin and Fanatics have been great partners throughout the ALL IN Challenge, and I’m proud to be aligned with a company that is creating these types of genuine connections for people all over the world.”
Brady has been named NFL MVP three times, voted a Pro Bowler 14 times, and holds the most game wins of any quarterback in league history. After 20 seasons with the New England Patriots, he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prior to the 2020 season.
“Quite simply, Tom Brady is one of the greatest athletes the sports world has ever seen, and it’s an honor to welcome him to the Fanatics team,” said Fanatics executive vice president Victor Shaffer. “His worldwide popularity has skyrocketed throughout the years, and he has built an incredibly loyal fan base that is now expanding in his latest move to Tampa Bay. We look forward to creating an amazing shopping experience for his fans, including the widest assortment of his officially licensed items ever offered.”
Brady has already completed at least one signing session with Fanatics and some signed items, including helmets, jerseys and footballs have already made their way to the company’s website with prices starting at around $1,500.
The memorabilia deal shouldn’t impact the availability of Brady autographs inside Panini’s trading card products.
Brady now joins Fanatics’ roster of exclusive athletes that includes Peyton Manning, Carson Wentz, Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa, Chase Young, Luka Doncic, Zion Williamson, Aaron Judge, Pete Alonso, and Alexander Ovechkin.