Latest news with #Fanatics-owned
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa lands 8-figure Fanatics deal, says NBA-ready program won him over
AJ Dybantsa has been signed by Fanatics (Image via Getty Images) AJ Dybantsa is one of the top young basketball players in the United States. Before ever stepping onto a collegiate basketball court, the 2026 NBA draft prospect has already amassed a fortune. A multi-year contract with Fanatics Collectibles was just signed by him. Before he became a global star, many top colleges wanted him to join their team. However, in the end, he chose BYU, or Brigham Young University. In a recent interview, he admitted, though, that BYU was not his first choice at the beginning. Fanatics signs incoming BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa to multi-year exclusive deal As per Sportico, AJ Dybantsa's deal with Fanatics' memorabilia division is worth eight figures. Fanatics-owned Topps trading cards and other merchandise will be the focal point of the exclusive agreement. It was disclosed in an embargoed media release on Wednesday and will begin immediately. AJ Dybantsa is a remarkable player. Even though he was courted by traditional powerhouses like Duke and North Carolina, he felt a stronger bond with BYU's program. He realized that it could offer him a supportive atmosphere to develop on and off the court, in addition to a competitive NBA -style program. As per Athlon Sports, in a recent interview, AJ Dybantsa talked candidly about the surprising path that ultimately led him to commit to BYU. The school wasn't initially at the top of his list. According to the Utah Prep star, his parents decided to bring him home. This choice ultimately led him to pursue the exceptional opportunities offered by BYU rather than other programs. AJ Dybantsa in action (Image via Getty Images) He then said that he did not know much about BYU or the basketball program. However, things changed when he visited the campus and met the coaches. After weighing his alternatives, AJ Dybantsa revealed that he felt that the BYU coaching staff and Kevin Young's vision aligned with his own. It made the Cougars the only team he could completely commit to. Dybantsa further said that BYU's training, support, and focus on developing NBA players really impressed him. Now, he is keen to build his own brand outside of the hardwood. His YouTube channel has just started, and he intends to provide content all season long. Additionally, his goal to engage with fans and provide them an intimate glimpse into his one-and-done college experience is reflected in this project. This further illustrates that his goals go well beyond his accomplishments on the court. Also read: Caitlin Clark's first signature sneaker could be worth nine figures, says expert Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!
Straits Times
30-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Trading cards offer lifeline to low-income tennis players
While the world's elite tennis players can earn fortunes, those much further down the rankings often struggle financially. PHOTO: REUTERS LONDON/NEW YORK – A nearly year-old initiative to sell tennis players' trading cards is generating vital extra income for lower earners struggling to make ends meet, its backers said. While the world's elite tennis players can earn fortunes, with Wimbledon for example offering a record £53.5 million (S$93.5 million) in prize money in 2025, those much further down the rankings often struggle financially. Winners Alliance, the commercial partner of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) which wants to address the financial disparities, said the new cards had generated around US$20 million (S$25.5 million) since they were rolled out in August. Some 70 per cent of the income has gone to the 400 players signed up. 'You have the 100th best player in the world and they're struggling to make a living,' Eric Winston, president of Winners Alliance, told Reuters. 'That's not right.' Winners Alliance has teamed up with the Fanatics-owned Topps brand to produce trading cards for the next 20 years, hoping to emulate the huge popularity of such initiatives in other sports such as football and US basketball. The cards, featuring current and former players, are sold online, at hobby shops and on site at big tournaments including the US Open and Australian Opens. The latest release on May 15th sold out in 24 hours. Founded in 2022, Winners Alliance, chaired by hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, manages commercial opportunities for sports players and their agents. Its aim is to generate a recurring annual income of US$100,000 for all ranked players from trading cards, video games and other income streams. 'The level of players in the top 200 has never been so high... and some can barely make ends meet,' said PTPA deputy executive director Romain Rosenberg, citing the example of a player near the top 100 who earned US$25,000 one year after deducting taxes, coaching and other unavoidable costs. Rosenberg contrasted tennis with other sports such as football, where even lower-tier players earn large salaries, often without the high costs tennis players face with coaching, travel and health expenses. 'It is still early days but the aim is to emulate the success of US basketball and baseball leagues... even reaching 10 per cent of their revenue in five to 10 years would generate meaningful passive income for players,' Rosenberg added. The PTPA, co-founded by players Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil in 2020, has backed various efforts to level the playing field between the haves and have-nots of tennis, including legal aid and health programmes. Sports trading cards have enjoyed enduring popularity, buoyed by record-breaking sales, such as a rookie card of baseball great Mickey Mantle fetching US$12.6 million at auction in 2022. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
28-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Tennis-Trading cards offer lifeline to low-income players
Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - June 28, 2025 General view of tennis balls during Britain's Jack Draper's practice session REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge LONDON/NEW YORK (Reuters) -A nearly year-old initiative to sell tennis players' trading cards is generating vital extra income for lower earners struggling to make ends meet, its backers said. While the world's elite tennis players can earn fortunes, with Wimbledon for example offering a record 53.5 million pounds ($73.5 million) in prize money this year, those much further down the rankings often struggle financially. Winners Alliance, the commercial partner of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) which wants to address the financial disparities, said the new cards had generated around $20 million since they were rolled out in August. Some 70% of the income has gone to the 400 players signed up. "You have the 100th best player in the world and they're struggling to make a living," Eric Winston, president of Winners Alliance, told Reuters. "That's not right." Winners Alliance has teamed up with the Fanatics-owned Topps brand to produce trading cards for the next 20 years, hoping to emulate the huge popularity of such initiatives in other sports such as soccer and U.S. basketball. The cards, featuring current and former players, are sold online, at hobby shops and on site at big tournaments including the U.S Open and Australian Opens. The latest release on May 15th sold out in 24 hours. Founded in 2022, Winners Alliance, chaired by hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, manages commercial opportunities for sports players and their agents. Its aim is to generate a recurring annual income of $100,000 for all ranked players from trading cards, video games and other income streams. "The level of players in the top 200 has never been so high... and some can barely make ends meet," said PTPA deputy executive director Romain Rosenberg, citing the example of a player near the top 100 who earned $25,000 one year after deducting taxes, coaching and other unavoidable costs. Rosenberg contrasted tennis with other sports such as football where even lower-tier players earn large salaries, often without the high costs tennis players face with coaching, travel and health expenses. "It is still early days but the aim is to emulate the success of U.S. basketball and baseball leagues... even reaching 10% of their revenue in five to 10 years would generate meaningful passive income for players," Rosenberg added. The PTPA, co-founded by players Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil in 2020, has backed various efforts to level the playing field between the haves and have-nots of tennis, including legal aid and health programmes. Sports trading cards have enjoyed enduring popularity, buoyed by record-breaking sales such as a rookie card of baseball great Mickey Mantle fetching $12.6 million at auction in 2022. (Reporting by Amy-Jo Crowley in London and Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
Straits Times
28-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Trading cards offer lifeline to low-income players
Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - June 28, 2025 General view of tennis balls during Britain's Jack Draper's practice session REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge LONDON/NEW YORK - A nearly year-old initiative to sell tennis players' trading cards is generating vital extra income for lower earners struggling to make ends meet, its backers said. While the world's elite tennis players can earn fortunes, with Wimbledon for example offering a record 53.5 million pounds ($73.5 million) in prize money this year, those much further down the rankings often struggle financially. Winners Alliance, the commercial partner of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) which wants to address the financial disparities, said the new cards had generated around $20 million since they were rolled out in August. Some 70% of the income has gone to the 400 players signed up. "You have the 100th best player in the world and they're struggling to make a living," Eric Winston, president of Winners Alliance, told Reuters. "That's not right." Winners Alliance has teamed up with the Fanatics-owned Topps brand to produce trading cards for the next 20 years, hoping to emulate the huge popularity of such initiatives in other sports such as soccer and U.S. basketball. The cards, featuring current and former players, are sold online, at hobby shops and on site at big tournaments including the U.S Open and Australian Opens. The latest release on May 15th sold out in 24 hours. Founded in 2022, Winners Alliance, chaired by hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, manages commercial opportunities for sports players and their agents. Its aim is to generate a recurring annual income of $100,000 for all ranked players from trading cards, video games and other income streams. "The level of players in the top 200 has never been so high... and some can barely make ends meet," said PTPA deputy executive director Romain Rosenberg, citing the example of a player near the top 100 who earned $25,000 one year after deducting taxes, coaching and other unavoidable costs. Rosenberg contrasted tennis with other sports such as football where even lower-tier players earn large salaries, often without the high costs tennis players face with coaching, travel and health expenses. "It is still early days but the aim is to emulate the success of U.S. basketball and baseball leagues... even reaching 10% of their revenue in five to 10 years would generate meaningful passive income for players," Rosenberg added. The PTPA, co-founded by players Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil in 2020, has backed various efforts to level the playing field between the haves and have-nots of tennis, including legal aid and health programmes. Sports trading cards have enjoyed enduring popularity, buoyed by record-breaking sales such as a rookie card of baseball great Mickey Mantle fetching $12.6 million at auction in 2022. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
