Fanatics, Inc. declared Monday that the online retailer of licensed sportswear, sports equipment, and merchandise reached New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge to an exclusive autograph deal that will offer fans a variety of authentic memorabilia and collectibles. As Judge inked the first agreement with the company in the autograph space, Fanatics' collectible division, Fanatics Authentic, will be the supplier of baseball gear and collectibles.
Financial terms of the pact are not disclosed.
There is a growing number of athletes from the Major League Baseball and National Football League who also have signed exclusive memorabilia/collectibles deals with Fanatics.
The company's roster from the MLB included Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Corey Seager and Cody Bellinger. Additionally, Fanatics' roster from NFL included Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan.
The Yankee rookie is on the rise
The 25-year-old Yankees rookie, who is projected to win the 2017 American League Rookie of the Year award, is arguably one of the most popular players in merchandise sales. According to MLB shop, which is owned by Fanatics, Judge's No. 99 jersey is listed as one of the most popular jerseys in the MLB. Two weeks ago, one of his game-worn jerseys, which was sold by Steiner Sports, was set to be at auction for $160,000.
Earlier last month, eBay sold Judge's autographed rookie cards for $14,655.
On Fanatics' website, its products with Judge's signature are up for sale, incorporating signed 8-by-10-inch photos for $350, a signed Yankees hat for $400, a signed batting helmet for $500, signed a bat for $600 and a signed replica jersey for $650.
Judge told ESPN that during his upbringing in California, he gathered autographs from former MLB players, including [Giants shortstop] Rich Aurilia and Barry Bonds and Willie Mays several times.
During Judge's standout season, he tops the AL with 35 homers, which set a Yankees record for the most home runs as a rookie and transcended baseball legend, Joe DiMaggio. Judge won over eight batters for the 2017 MLB Home Run Derby contest.
Judge has been endorsing sports equipment company Rawlings and sports apparel company Under Armour.
As Judge's current contract with the sportswear will end after this season, it is being reported that Under Armour enters negotiations with Judge for a long-term extension. The company signed the Yankee star to a deal in 2014 when he was in the minor leagues.
Fanatics-MLB deal
Fanatics scored a deal with Under Armour to become the distributor of the on-field uniform, providing the apparel to the MLB. As a part of the deal, which will begin in 2019 instead of 2020, the MLB teams will also be able to obtain connected fitness products from Under Armour. Additionally, Fanatics purchased VF Corp.'s sports apparel business, which contains the Majestic brand that manufactures the MLB apparel.