Latest news with #FanaticsGames
CNN
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
‘A deal I couldn't pass up': Teacher sells LeBron rookie card to Tom Brady for $250K after finishing third at Fanatics Games
In a weekend filled with star power, sports challenges and high-dollar prizes, one Philadelphia high school teacher stood tall among sports legends. Matt Dennish, a teacher at Red Lion Area High School, finished third in the first-of-its-kind Fanatics Games, held during Fanatics Fest at New York City's Javits Center. The sports collecting event, created by Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin, drew more than 125,000 fans and this year featured a groundbreaking 'pros vs. joes' format. Fifty athletes and celebrities were pitted against 50 hand-selected fans in a multi-event skills showdown with nearly $2 million in prizes up for grabs. While NFL legend Tom Brady took home first place and $1 million, and UFC champion Justin Gaethje claimed second and drove off in a 2025 Ferrari 296 GTB, it was Dennish who ultimately walked away with one of the most memorable moments of the weekend. Dennish earned a rare 2003-04 Topps Chrome Gold Refractor LeBron James rookie card for his third-place finish. But during the award ceremony, Brady stunned the crowd by offering to buy the card on the spot — for $250,000 in cash, from his own prize stack. 'Backstage, I was talking to Tom,' Dennish told CNN Sports. 'I was able to meet him before going out, and he had asked me if I was a collector, and I said no. I had no idea he was going to make a deal on stage. I thought he was just having conversations.' Brady's offer was encouraged by fellow celebrity competitor Kevin Hart, who jumped in during the exchange and helped close the deal. 'Luckily, Kevin Hart stepped in, kind of was on my side, and said: 'I'll take over, I'll make you a good deal,'' Dennish said. 'And I had Justin sitting beside me, the second-place winner, and he got my ear open. 'He said: 'You're taking this deal?' I said: 'I don't know, I guess I have to see what it is.' And it just all happened so fast.' 'When I heard the number, I said: 'All right, I know the value of that card that was advertised, so it was a deal I couldn't pass up.'' Rubin himself counted out the cash live on stage, and his private security team delivered it to Dennish's Philadelphia home the following day. Brady also threw in a signed card and jersey to sweeten the deal. The Fanatics Games tested participants across eight sports-themed events, including quarterback accuracy, basketball shooting, soccer goal-scoring, puck shooting, UFC striking power, WWE-style entrances and a golf simulator challenge. Each competitor accumulated points throughout the three-day event, with referees scoring performances live on the Fanatics Fest main floor. Dennish made his biggest mark in the MLB pitching accuracy challenge — which he won outright over all 100 participants. 'I played until sixth grade,' he said. 'My grandfather, he played a little bit of minor leagues, so really big fans of baseball, Philadelphia Phillies fans, and my dad's really passionate about it.' He added that once he learned he'd been selected to compete, he got to work quickly. 'I went to the gym three days in a row, and my brother sat at the other end of the gym and I just got some tosses trying to get the feel back. It is pretty natural, but you know, when it comes down to the pressure of the event, you never know how you're gonna perform.' Dennish earned his spot in the competition by submitting a two-minute video showcasing his athletic skills — including footage of him sinking a once-in-a-lifetime shot. 'Last year, I'm a Philadelphia Sixers season ticket holder and had the opportunity to shoot a half-court shot and I made it. So I definitely put that in there. I think that might have helped a little bit.' As for what he plans to do with his $250,000? 'I am someone who doesn't really spend a whole lot, so it will probably be saved for the most part,' he said. 'Maybe buy a couple of little things here and there, but don't want to go crazy with it. I know it's not gonna last forever.' The money might not be life-changing, but Dennish knows he'll be walking into a very different classroom come fall. 'After that half-court shot, I got quite a bit of attention,' Dennish said. 'I didn't think that was gonna get out. It's kind of the same as this. I didn't think, unless I did place, that anybody would really know I competed in this. 'With all the attention that this event gets and Michael Rubin's phenomenal hosting and promoting and everything, footage is everywhere,' he added. 'So it is going to be a challenge going back and having to answer a lot of questions, but it'll be enjoyable, and there's a lot of teachable moments from this event.'
USA Today
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Saquon Barkley's legendary hurdle becomes costume gold for an Eagles fan
Saquon Barkley's viral hurdle inspires one of the wildest fan looks yet. If you're among those who are fans of sports and collectibles and constantly searching to satisfy that hunger, few gatherings are now more of a 'must-attend' than NYC Fanatics Fest. The past iteration drew over 125,000 attendees. Philadelphia Eagles legend Brandon Graham showed up. He took his opportunity to ether the New York Giants. That was fun to watch. It was impossible to see everything, but a deep social media dive might do wonders in helping you catch up on what you missed. There were celebrities in attendance. There was the first-ever Fanatics Games. We even saw the wildest costume ever, one depicting Saquon Barkley's reverse hurdle. Eagles fan immortalizes Saquon Barkley's hurdle in unforgettable style Once upon a time, we thought nothing could ever top Jason Kelce wearing the Mummers Costume to the Super Bowl 52 victory parade. We were wrong. Ladies and gentlemen, meet JJ. He's an Eagles fan. He took Saquon Barkley's reverse hurdle and transformed it into Fanatics Fest's best costume. His efforts won him a prize. In other words, he took a fashion risk and won. As Fanatics' official X account states, his creativity has won big time. He'll now be attending the Super Bowl, the World Cup Final, and WrestleMania 42. It kind of makes you wonder why you didn't think of that first. Oh well... Congratulations are for JJ! Great job, man!
New York Post
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Joe Burrow spotted on late-night NYC outing with model Olivia Ponton as dating rumors fly
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and model Olivia Ponton continue to stir rumors that they're dating after being spotted together in New York this weekend. Burrow and Ponton, who've been the subject of romance buzz since last December, had a late night on Friday, as they were seen entering an apartment building around 3 a.m. in photos obtained by The Post. The pair hit up several different hotspots and were attached at the hip all night, according to TMZ Sports. Advertisement 4 Joe Burrow and Olivia Ponton are spotted together in New York City on Friday, June 20, 2025. 4 Joe Burrow and Olivia Ponton are spotted together in New York City on Friday, June 20, 2025. Burrow was in town for Fanatics Fest, where the 28-year-old appeared on a panel and competed in the Fanatics Games — and went viral for his off-target MLB pitching attempts. Advertisement Ponton, 23, who lives in New York, was also with former LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne and her sister, Julz Dunne, as seen in another snapshot. 4 (L-R) Olivia Dunne and Olivia Ponton Joe Burrow and Olivia Ponton in in New York City on Friday, June 20, 2025. Both Dunne and Ponton are Sports Illustrated Swimsuit models — and Dunne is friends with Burrow, who won the 2019 Heisman Trophy while playing for the Tigers. Last month, Ponton and Burrow made waves on social media when they were spotted in the same circle in Miami for the Formula 1 race. Advertisement The two-time Pro Bowler and the Victoria's Secret model were first linked when Ponton reported a burglary at Burrow's Ohio home last December, and reportedly identified herself as one of Burrow's employees. 4 Joe Burrow speaks onstage during Fanatics Fest NYC 2025 at Javits Center on June 21, 2025 in New York City. Getty Images No one was injured, but the home was ransacked, according to a report provided by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. The break-in was a part of a string of robberies targeting high-profile athletes, including Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
USA Today
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
New York Giants legend Eli Manning finishes 5th in inaugural Fanatics Games
Eli Manning with the shot 🔥🏀 This time, New York Giants legend Eli Manning didn't get the better of Tom Brady. At the Fanatics Fest in New York City this week, Brady topped a 100-person list in the inaugural Fanatics Games. Manning? He finished fifth. From ESPN: Brady finished atop the 100-person leaderboard with 399.1 points, taking home the $1 million prize. Brady, the former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneersquarterback who is currently a part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders and an NFL broadcaster for Fox Sports, said he will give $5,000 to each of the 50 fans who competed in the event and donate the rest to charity. UFC fighter Justin Gaethje finished second with 345.5 points to win a Ferrari 812 GTS. Six fans were among the top 10 finishers. LA Clippers star James Harden (fourth) and retired New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (fifth) were the only other athletes to finish in the top 10. Brady v wins? @Fanatics #fanaticsfest2025 Eli's currently in 3rd place in the Fanatics Games 👀 Brady, who is a two-time loser to Manning in the Super Bowl, is currently a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. He may be joined in the ownership ranks by Manning, who is interested in buying a minority stake in the New York Giants. And the competition goes on...
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tom Brady takes home title at inaugural Fanatics Games
Tom Brady aced the WWE entrance at the Fanatics Games by tearing apart an Eli Manning jersey. (Credit: Getty Images) NEW YORK — NFL legend Tom Brady beat out dozens of fans, celebrities and professional athletes to win the inaugural Fanatics Games at Fanatics Fest 2025 on Sunday. Brady, who last competed in the NFL in January 2023, finished atop the Games leaderboard with 399.1 total points to win the $1 million grand prize. Brady said he would give $5,000 to all of the 50 fans who compete and donate the rest to charity. Advertisement UFC lightweight Justin Gaethje (345.4) and fan Matt Dennish (326) finished in second and third places to win a 2025 Ferrari 296 GTB and a 2003-04 LeBron James Topps Chrome Gold Refractor, respectively. Dennish later traded the card to Brady for $250,000 cash, plus a signed Brady card and jersey. The Fanatics Games featured eight skill-based challenges with a total of 100 points available for each event. The two lowest-scoring events for each participant were automatically dropped to make 600 points the maximum score possible. Six of the top-10 scorers were fans. James Harden and Eli Manning joined Brady and Gaethje as professional athletes in the top 10. "There is a competitive spirit that I have … I had to at least show up and not embarrass myself,' Brady said during Fanatics Fest's closing ceremony. Advertisement Brady joined hundreds of athletes and celebrities for the second annual Fanatics Fest NYC this weekend at the Javits Center. Billed by Fanatics as a comic con for sports fans, the three-day event featured games hosted by the professional leagues, autograph and photograph sessions, talk-show style panels and a large trading card and collectibles show. Ben Burrows is a reporter and editor for cllct, the premier company for collectible content.
