The inaugural Fanatics Festival, billed as the “Comic Con of Sports,” takes place this weekend, August 16-18, at the Javits Center.
Over three days, fans can meet and get autographs from prominent players such as Peyton and Eli Manning, Kevin Durant and Derek Jeter, as well as participate in dozens of panel discussions and purchase tons of memorabilia to support their favorite teams.
“I went to Comic Con and thought, this thing is insane. There are a quarter of a million people in costumes,” Michael Rubin, CEO of Fanatics, the $31 billion sporting goods and collectibles giant behind the event, told the Post.
“I thought, ‘How do we do this for sports?'” he continued. “I literally called the guy who ran Comic Con in New York and told him to put on a Fanatics Festival for me.”
Rubin eventually persuaded Lance Fensterman, president of Reed Pop, which produces major events like Comic Con, to come work for him and manage Fanatics Events.
“I want to create the best sporting event in the world,” Rubin told the Post.
50,000 sports fans are expected to attend this weekend’s main event. Ticket prices range from $50 to $8,990, with the more expensive tickets including exclusive seating, the ability to skip the line for autographs, exclusive meet and greets with players and limited edition trading cards. However, there are great deals available for all ticket categories.
Stephen A. Smith will host a podcast, ESPN will broadcast live, and all major sports commissioners, including Adam Silver of the NBA and Roger Goodell of the NFL, will appear on the panels, as well as other prominent players.
Fanatics-owned trading card company Topps will release unique items, including a special collection from musician Travis Scott.
Fanatics is investing $10 million in various activities during the event, including a WWE Experience where fans can recreate the excitement of a professional wrestling performance and a “Kids Zone” where Tom Brady will hand out footballs to young children.
Rubin has also recruited personalities outside of sports, such as TikTok’s Alix Earle and rappers Lil Wayne and Jay-Z.
A source told The Post that Jay-Z is spending more than $3 million to recreate a pop-up replica of his 40/40 Club at Javits Stadium for just three days.
The 40/40 Club, named after an elite group of baseball players who have hit 40 home runs and stolen 40 bases in a season, closed in Chelsea last year but will return next year.
Rubin founded the e-commerce and sporting goods company GSI Commerce in 2002, which merged with Fanatics in 2011.
Rubin’s estimated net worth is $11 billion thanks to the success of his private company. He is also chairman of Rue La La, an online clothing retailer, and a member of the board of directors of Gilt Group.
The annual White Party at his beachfront home in Bridgehampton is one of the most star-studded events of the season, bringing together athletes like Brady and Eli Manning, celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Emily Ratajakowski, and business leaders like Patriots owner Robert Kraft and William Morris Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel.
In the city, he hosts his famous friends in his main building, a massive penthouse in the West Village near Fanatics’ 11,500-square-foot offices on Morton Street.
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