The numbers
The Fanatics Flag Football Classic, held in Los Angeles, averaged around 650,000 viewers and peaked at 909,000 viewers, showcasing the event’s popularity despite competing with the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments. The total reach of the game on linear TV was 2.8 million, and it generated over 300 million views across broadcast and all platforms, according to a press release.
This event, which featured NFL stars and celebrities, was initially set to take place in Riyadh but was relocated to Los Angeles due to escalating global tensions. Notable participants included Tom Brady, who expressed a desire for the flag football rules to be adjusted to resemble tackle football more closely.
In addition to its sports events, Fanatics is also navigating legal challenges. A class action lawsuit against the company was recently dismissed by a New York federal judge. The lawsuit accused Fanatics and others of monopolizing the trading card market, but Chief U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain stated that “none of the named plaintiffs adequately allege that they have overpaid or will imminently overpay for trading cards sold by defendants.”
A spokesperson for Fanatics commented on the lawsuit, asserting, “We said from the start that this was a baseless and fundamentally flawed lawsuit since Fanatics was being accused of raising prices on cards we didn’t even produce.” The court agreed, ruling that the plaintiffs did not have standing to sue.
Looking ahead, Fanatics is set to acquire exclusive licenses to major sports leagues, including the NBA, NFL, MLB, Premier League, F1, and WWE, after April 2026. This move is expected to solidify its position in the sports merchandise and collectibles market.
Moreover, Fanatics has launched its own sportsbook, offering a welcome bonus of “Bet $5, Get $200 in FanCash instantly.” The sportsbook is available in multiple legal sports betting states and boasts a high user rating of 4.8 out of 5 on iOS and 4.7 out of 5 on Android.
As Fanatics continues to expand its influence in both the sports event and trading card sectors, observers will be watching closely for further developments, particularly regarding its legal challenges and the impact of its exclusive licenses on the market.
