in , ,

More Sports Greats on Day 2 of Fanatics Fest, What’s Behind the Brand with Michael Rubin

Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin Chatted with us Today on What It’s Like to Build Out an Event Like Fanatics Fest and the Business Behind the Jerseys and the Fans Who Purchase the Products

 

Story By: Andrew Lang

Photos By: Jakob Lang

New York, NY–

The word at Fanatics Fest NYC was to arrive early on Saturday due to the expectations of sold-out crowds, and they were not kidding. While the superstar G.O.A.T.s of Derek Jeter and Tom Brady were strategically the big draws on a slower Friday, those who arrived on Saturday had a huge list of athletes and celebrities on the schedule for a new day.

The Saturday crowds on Day No. 2 got another G.O.A.T. in Cal Ripken Jr. to start the day off, and popular athlete and social media sensation Livvy Dunne, who dates the presumptive Rookie of the Year, Paul Skenes, of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Dunne had a lot to talk about as an LSU gymnast as well as the girlfriend of a baseball star. Both met while students at Louisiana State University. While Skenes was with his Pirates team, Dunne walked into the Jacob Javits Center with a huge entourage like she was Jeter. That was a sight to see as the gymnast is so popular as a social media star. Also on the schedule for today were Alix Earle, La La Anthony and many more headline athletes and icons.

We got some behind the scenes access that took us into a private room where retired athletes were signing autographs away from public. In the room when we entered was Celtics’ star Paul Pierce, Cardinals’ star Ozzie Smith, and another G.O.A.T. as Jerry Rice had just finished signing and was talking with some people. We could see by the autographs that were completed on items, that many other stars had gone through the room too.

From there, we were asked if we had some time to meet up with Fanatics founder and CEO Michael Rubin. Of course we wanted to meet with Rubin. The scene was incredible as we met him in a custom built 40/40 Club that was designed by hip-hop mogul Jay-Z who was one of the originators of the first 40/40 Club in NYC. While Rubin was doing all of this on 2-hours of sleep, he said he was getting by on adrenaline and caffeine as he was drinking his Diet Coke. If anything, Rubin was modest, and almost self-deprecating as he laughed about how often he gets trashed on social media. Some of that is for his lavish parties, but much of it is because Rubin is highly successful — and there will always be those who stay jealous of the rich and famous.

We heard the story again of how Fanatics and Rubin were at the center of all of the anger about the quality of the 2024 MLB jerseys, small fonts of players names, and the way the jerseys looked. The jerseys didn’t have Fanatics names on them, rather Nike was the manufacturer — but again that didn’t stop those from blaming Fanatics. This article might explain the situation better because Rubin didn’t want to rehash things. Fanatics Founder Michael Rubin Says Company Unfairly Blamed for New MLB Uniforms

The meet-and-greet was great with Rubin, and he wanted to keep things positive — but we pushed on some stories and got one that blew our minds. The best story we heard was their version of the “bogus” jersey that was sold. The story behind that was mind-blowing and not shocking given how there are people out there trying to take advantage of companies and steal any way they can. So here is what we were told: Yes, a bogus jersey made it out to the public but it originated as a returned jersey that was unworn with tags attached — and it was the old switcheroo. A customer took a real jersey and then returned a fake one. We’ve heard this happen to eBay sellers, and mistakes happen.

After meeting with Rubin, we went back out to the show, and walked around to see that there were families and a much younger crowd in the afternoon. The autograph lines were long but moving well. This was not your ordinary card and autograph store. Fanatics has created a new way to appeal to fans who want more than just autographs and photo opportunities. The interviews and panel discussions made this so much more than any show you have attended. Walk onto the show floor and there were interactive sports you could participate in or just watch a radio show live on WFAN.

There was something for everyone. A great time by all.

Fanatics Fan Fest, Bringing the Sports and Entertainment Heat to New York with an Experience Like No Other

Mystics Back at Home After Olympic Break, Another Loss to Seattle, 83-77