Fanatics to Replace Panini as FIFA's Exclusive Licensee
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 3 days ago
0mins
Source: CNBC
- Market Share Expansion: Fanatics has secured an agreement with FIFA to become the exclusive licensee for World Cup collectibles starting in 2031, which is expected to further solidify its position in the $100 billion global sports collectibles market and drive revenue growth.
- Innovative Product Launch: Under the new agreement, debuting teams will wear 'debut patches' on matchday jerseys, which will be converted into exclusive trading cards, likely attracting more collectors and enhancing market demand and brand influence.
- Increased Legal Challenges: Fanatics' aggressive expansion has prompted an antitrust lawsuit from Panini, alleging attempts to monopolize the trading card market for major U.S. professional sports leagues, potentially leading to higher prices and fewer choices for consumers, impacting the company's reputation.
- Changing Competitive Landscape: With Fanatics' acquisition of Topps, competition has significantly diminished, leaving Upper Deck as the only major competitor; while Fanatics promises to continue driving innovation and improving consumer experience, concerns about its monopolistic behavior persist.
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Analyst Views on EBAY
Wall Street analysts forecast EBAY stock price to fall
8 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
5 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 117.130
Low
60.00
Averages
95.00
High
112.00
Current: 117.130
Low
60.00
Averages
95.00
High
112.00
About EBAY
eBay Inc. is a global commerce company. The Company's technology empowers buyers and sellers in more than 190 markets globally. Its online marketplace is located at www.ebay.com and its localized counterparts, its off-platform marketplaces and its mobile apps. Its Marketplace platforms enable buyers and sellers to its global scale and continue investments in technology, marketing and customer service. Its eBay Money-Back Guarantee program allows buyers to obtain a refund if an item does not arrive, is damaged or faulty, or differs materially from its description, and applies to most purchases completed through payment methods. It develops intuitive user interfaces; buyer, seller and developer tools; and transaction processing, databases and network applications that enable its users to complete transactions on its Marketplace platforms. Its technology infrastructure simplifies the storage and processing of data, eases the deployment and operation of global products and services.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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Fanatics to Replace Panini as FIFA's Exclusive Licensee
- Market Share Expansion: Fanatics has secured an agreement with FIFA to become the exclusive licensee for World Cup collectibles starting in 2031, which is expected to further solidify its position in the $100 billion global sports collectibles market and drive revenue growth.
- Innovative Product Launch: Under the new agreement, debuting teams will wear 'debut patches' on matchday jerseys, which will be converted into exclusive trading cards, likely attracting more collectors and enhancing market demand and brand influence.
- Increased Legal Challenges: Fanatics' aggressive expansion has prompted an antitrust lawsuit from Panini, alleging attempts to monopolize the trading card market for major U.S. professional sports leagues, potentially leading to higher prices and fewer choices for consumers, impacting the company's reputation.
- Changing Competitive Landscape: With Fanatics' acquisition of Topps, competition has significantly diminished, leaving Upper Deck as the only major competitor; while Fanatics promises to continue driving innovation and improving consumer experience, concerns about its monopolistic behavior persist.
See More
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- Market Expansion: Fanatics' exclusive agreement with FIFA will see it replace Panini as the sole licensee for World Cup collectibles by 2031, further solidifying its position in the $100 billion sports collectibles market.
- Innovative Measures: Under the new agreement, debuting teams will wear 'debut patches' on matchday jerseys, which will later be transformed into unique trading cards post-2031, aimed at enhancing the rarity and market value of collectibles.
- Legal Challenges: Despite driving innovation, Fanatics' market dominance has attracted legal scrutiny, with Panini filing an antitrust lawsuit claiming Fanatics is attempting to monopolize the trading card market for major U.S. professional sports leagues.
- Revenue Expectations: Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin stated that the collectibles division is projected to generate $5 billion in revenue, while the overall company is expected to reach $14 billion, indicating strong growth potential in the sports market.
See More
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- Advertising and Tech Investment: MercadoLibre is intensifying investments in advertising, AI-driven search, and seller discovery tools; however, the ongoing development of these capabilities alongside high infrastructure expansion costs is expected to continue impacting its technology and operating expenses, limiting profit margins.
- eBay's Growth Potential: eBay's gross merchandise volume increased by 14% year-over-year in Q1 2026, driven by strong performance in categories like fashion, automotive, and collectibles, showcasing its balanced marketplace strategy focused on seller engagement and advertising monetization.
- Profitability Discrepancy: eBay's operating income grew 18% year-over-year, while MercadoLibre's stock has declined by 17.4% due to rising costs and margin uncertainty, illustrating eBay's advantage in profitability and capital allocation, further widening the valuation gap between the two companies.
See More
GameStop Plans to Increase Authorized Shares for eBay Acquisition
- Authorized Share Increase: GameStop is seeking shareholder approval to raise its authorized common shares from 1 billion to 2.5 billion to act decisively in its acquisition bid for eBay, although eBay has rejected the proposal as unattractive.
- Shareholder Meeting Scheduled: The company has announced its next annual shareholder meeting on July 7, 2026, where significant matters including the share authorization increase will be discussed, reflecting the company's focus on future strategic initiatives.
- CEO Compensation Policy: GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen will not receive a salary or cash bonus until the company's market capitalization reaches $20 billion on a sustained basis, aligning management interests with those of shareholders and enhancing investor confidence.
- Market Performance: Despite a 2% drop in GameStop's stock price during Friday's opening trade, the stock has risen 10% year-to-date, indicating market attention to its long-term strategy and potential confidence in its future.
See More
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- PayPal's User Growth Struggles: PayPal's active accounts grew from 426 million in 2021 to only 439 million by 2025, falling short of its 750 million target, resulting in an over 80% stock price drop over five years, highlighting severe growth potential issues.
- Revenue Growth Slowdown: Although PayPal's revenue grew at a 7% CAGR from 2021 to 2025, its transaction take rates continued to decline, and intensified competition has put significant pressure on its overall profitability.
- Visa's Steady Growth: Visa's revenue and EPS grew at CAGRs of 14% and 16% from 2021 to 2025, showcasing the advantages of its asset-light business model, which allows rapid expansion into new markets while maintaining high margins.
- Diverging Future Outlooks: Analysts expect PayPal's revenue and EPS to grow at CAGRs of only 4% and 5% from 2025 to 2028, compared to Visa's projected 11% and 18%, indicating a stronger growth potential for Visa in the future.
See More
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- Price Surge: According to an index by Collectors, Pokémon card prices have skyrocketed by 1,350% since 2020, significantly outpacing traditional asset classes, attracting high-net-worth individuals and cryptocurrency investors, indicating robust market demand and investment potential.
- Market Hype: In 2023, The Pokémon Company continues to release new card sets, particularly special 30th-anniversary products, driving excitement and attracting a wave of young collectors and investors, creating a new collecting frenzy.
- Increased Speculation: Due to the scarcity of cards, many scalpers quickly buy up new releases and resell them at inflated prices, leading to market volatility and panic among consumers who feel compelled to purchase quickly to avoid missing out, further driving up prices.
- Collectors vs. Speculators: Despite the influx of speculators, many genuine collectors are still pursuing complete card sets, providing stability to the market and demonstrating the enduring appeal of collecting culture.
See More
Fanatics to Replace Panini as FIFA's Exclusive Licensee
- Market Share Expansion: Fanatics has secured an agreement with FIFA to become the exclusive licensee for World Cup collectibles starting in 2031, which is expected to further solidify its position in the $100 billion global sports collectibles market and drive revenue growth.
- Innovative Product Launch: Under the new agreement, debuting teams will wear 'debut patches' on matchday jerseys, which will be converted into exclusive trading cards, likely attracting more collectors and enhancing market demand and brand influence.
- Increased Legal Challenges: Fanatics' aggressive expansion has prompted an antitrust lawsuit from Panini, alleging attempts to monopolize the trading card market for major U.S. professional sports leagues, potentially leading to higher prices and fewer choices for consumers, impacting the company's reputation.
- Changing Competitive Landscape: With Fanatics' acquisition of Topps, competition has significantly diminished, leaving Upper Deck as the only major competitor; while Fanatics promises to continue driving innovation and improving consumer experience, concerns about its monopolistic behavior persist.
See More
Fanatics Secures Exclusive FIFA Collectibles Deal
- Market Expansion: Fanatics' exclusive agreement with FIFA will see it replace Panini as the sole licensee for World Cup collectibles by 2031, further solidifying its position in the $100 billion sports collectibles market.
- Innovative Measures: Under the new agreement, debuting teams will wear 'debut patches' on matchday jerseys, which will later be transformed into unique trading cards post-2031, aimed at enhancing the rarity and market value of collectibles.
- Legal Challenges: Despite driving innovation, Fanatics' market dominance has attracted legal scrutiny, with Panini filing an antitrust lawsuit claiming Fanatics is attempting to monopolize the trading card market for major U.S. professional sports leagues.
- Revenue Expectations: Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin stated that the collectibles division is projected to generate $5 billion in revenue, while the overall company is expected to reach $14 billion, indicating strong growth potential in the sports market.
See More
