Michael Rubin arrives at the 2019 Fanatics Super Bowl Party on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, in Atlanta.
Paul R. Giunta | Invision | AP
Sports e-commerce company Fanatics is growing quickly, but it's still nowhere near where it aims to be. Recently, the company said, it reached a $27 billion valuation and it wants to grow into a $100 billion empire over the next 10 years.
Its recent funding round, which included $320 million from the NFL, is making its investors optimistic.
The NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS and various players unions have a combined stake in Fanatics worth $5 billion, according to people familiar with knowledge of the company's business. The people spoke to CNBC about the company on condition of anonymity, as Fanatics doesn't publicly discuss its finances.
Fanatics is a major hub for sports merchandise such as jerseys and other apparel, as well as sports-themed home, office and automotive consumer products. It could get a boost as governments lift Covid restrictions and allow more fans to attend games. The company is expanding into online sports betting, too.
CEO Michael Rubin is emboldened and says he's on a mission to conquer the sports e-commerce sector and beyond.
"I'm 100% locked into making Fanatics the most incredible digital sports platform in the world," Rubin said at a conference in March.
Fanatics has some skeptics, too.
"I'm still not buying that it's worth that level," one executive said when asked about Fanatics' $27 billion valuation.
The executive, who spoke to CNBC on the condition of anonymity, said Fanatics' private status is a reason for skepticism. Private companies can conceal revenue struggles, as they aren't required by the SEC to report earnings.
"They can get away with a hell of a lot more because they have to anticipate the contribution of each business line to the revenue and EBITDA and how it will change for the future," the executive said. "And the leagues are also partners, so it's in their best interest to elevate the value."
Fanatics declined to comment for this story.
The latest investment round came after Fanatics had two years of apparently quick growth. The company had a $6.2 billion valuation in 2020, hit $12.8 billion in March 2021 and reached $18 billion in August. People familiar with the inner workings of the company suggest the goal is $10 billion in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, over 10 years.
Fanatics is anticipating roughly $6 billion in revenue in 2022 and targeting $10 billion in revenue over the next few years, according to people familiar with the company's business.
Building a juggernaut
The comments from Rubin and the executive came days after it was revealed that Fanatics' most recent $1.5 billion funding round was driven in large part by the NFL, MLB, NHL and Qatar Investment Authority — the sovereign wealth fund that owns UEFA soccer club PSG.
"We're thinking about how to build a company that's beloved by billions of sports fans globally," Rubin said at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference in Boston on March 4. "Valuation just follows the business results."
Much of Fanatics' growth has been generated through acquisitions, particularly during a pandemic shopping spree. The company expanded its e-commerce business in 2020, when it purchased WinCraft, a company that makes sports-themed merchandise. It acquired the Topps trading card company for $500 million to jumpstart 2022, while also forging partnerships with major sports leagues and their players unions to end 2021.
The WinCraft purchase landed Fanatics 700 licensing rights to NCAA schools. The company also leveraged MLB's e-commerce rights to align future blockchain revenue when it launched NFT company Candy Digital in 2021. So far, Candy Digital is valued at $1.5 billion.
Fanatics already had exclusive licensing deals with the NFL and Nike to make jerseys and an exclusive e-commerce deal with Walmart. Add in the new revenue streams from Topps, a team e-commerce deal with the Dallas Cowboys, and global rights to the Olympics, and the people familiar with the company's business suggested Fanatics would lure in $1 billion in EBITDA in 2022.
Sports leagues are attracted to Fanatics' future around its products, and investors like that it deals directly with consumers.
Revenue keeps growing as a result, too, according to the company. Rubin said Fanatics is projecting $4.5 billion in revenue for its e-commerce business in 2022. That would be a jump from $2.3 billion before the pandemic.
Fanatics is also looking to technological capabilities to spur further growth. It aims to leverage its artificial intelligence, cloud computing and machine learning tech to advance it. The company touts its 80 million users. Rubin has said Fanatics has up to 16 data attributes per consumer. Data attributes, which contain characteristics about consumers, help companies personalize offers to consumers.
Green Bay Packers fan cave
Source: Fanatics
IPO in the cards?
Several major investors are sold on Fanatics' future as it inches closer to a potential initial public offering, which would deliver big returns.
Firms including Fidelity, Thrive Capital, Franklin Templeton and Neuberger Berman are among investors. They joined investing firm SoftBank and Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group.
NFL legend Peyton Manning is an investor. Entertainer Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter joined in August. Hip-hop star Lil Baby, Dell founder Michael Dell, and Joseph Tsai, the Alibaba co-founder and Brooklyn Nets owner, are also investors.
In addition, Silver Lake, Insight Partners and entertainment company Endeavor are investors in Fanatics' projected $10 billion trading cards business.
Investors will likely have to wait a bit longer for an IPO. The company doesn't plan to go public this year, according to people familiar with the company's business.
Andrew Harrer | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Fanatics targets sports betting
Fanatics' quest for a $100 billion valuation could run into several obstacles.
Inflation is surging, giving rise to recession fears. Geopolitical strife could hit international growth as war rages in Ukraine and U.S.-China relations become chillier. (Fanatics launched operations in China in February 2021.) Antitrust concerns have also surfaced over Fanatics' agreement with the NFL, which competitors allege is a form of collusion that harms competing online retailers. That could attract a future challenge with the government.
But publicly and behind the scenes, Rubin remains optimistic about what lies ahead.
"Every industry changes radically," the CEO said. "I think sports is the greatest entertainment in the world, but we've got to keep making it relevant, and we've got to keep it fresh and innovative."
Expect more acquisitions and an integration of online betting at some point. Rubin has long shown an interest in online betting. Fanatics hired former FanDuel Chief Executive Matt King in 2021 and applied for a gambling license in New York as it looks to take on DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars and MGM in the space.
It's not clear what gambling company Fanatics will target, but people familiar with the business downplayed speculation about a potential acquisition of WynnBET. That betting company is reportedly on the market for $500 million.
Rubin projected Fanatics would lead the category in 10 years. The advantage: Fanatics' 80 million users and $19 per customer acquisition cost, which is lower than average for betting companies. The cost is money spent to acquire new customers through methods such as marketing and promotion.
Fanatics can use that low cost in the e-commerce space to bring in new customers and then leverage sports betting while consumers are within Fanatics' ecosystem.
"The average cost to acquire a customer in online sports betting today is $500 on a good day," Rubin said at the conference. "I'd much rather look at the different places that I could acquire customers and cross-sell them into online sports betting than go out and spend $500-plus and have a multiyear payback in a highly promotional environment."
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Clarification: This story was updated to reflect more specific revenue projections for Fanatics.
FAQs
How much money does Fanatics make? ›
There are no plans in place for Fanatics stock to hit the market. While it seems likely to happen in the future, there isn't a timetable in place that is public knowledge.
Who is the CEO of Fanatics? › Who are Fanatics competitors? ›fanatics.com's top 5 competitors in August 2022 are: fansedge.com, nflshop.com, dickssportinggoods.com, rallyhouse.com, and more. According to Similarweb data of monthly visits, fanatics.com's top competitor in September 2022 is fansedge.com with 1.2M visits.
What is Fanatics business strategy? ›Fanatics possesses an innovative vertical commerce business model that allows the company to quickly design, manufacture and distribute high quality fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear and hardgoods.
How did Fanatics get so big? ›Through transformative partnerships with Nike for both the NFL and MLB, Fanatics became the exclusive designer, manufacturer and distributor of all Nike fan apparel and jerseys sold at retail for both leagues.
How do I invest in fanatics Inc? ›Retail investors cannot buy the Fanatics stock as it is a private company, and they will have to wait for the company to start trading in a stock market.
Is fanatics privately owned? ›Who Owns Fanatics? Fanatics is a venture-backed private company. Its investors include the founders, employees, venture capital firms, sports leagues, and professional athletes. The company has conducted several capital raises, often pairing ownership stakes with exclusive licensing partnerships with sports leagues.
What is Fanatics stock symbol? ›Fanatics (FANA) Stock Price Today, Quote & News | Seeking Alpha.
What is Michael Rubin's net worth? ›How many people work for Fanatics? ›
That comes from a championship-caliber team comprised of more than 10,000 global employees who bring curiosity and innovative thinking, agile creativity, and an overall commitment to consistently excellent work with them every day.
Who is Michael Rubin's wife? › Will Fanatics go public? ›While Fanatics boasts investors from the NFL to Fidelity to SoftBank, a source said the company doesn't aim to go public this year.
Is Fanatics a Fortune 500 company? ›Fanatics Inc., a Fortune 500 company known for manufacturing licensed sports gear, clothing and other merchandise, will open a distribution center in North Las Vegas by June 2017.
Does Fanatics do wholesale? ›“We manufacture for wholesale and retail through an e-commerce platform.” Fanatics Inc., also partnered with JC Penny stores a year ago and opened a store-within-a-store concept.
What are candy NFTs? ›Candy is a next generation digital collectible company offering digital assets for fans and collectors. Candy is Major League Baseball's official NFT ecosystem where fans and collectors will be able to purchase, trade, and share officially licensed NFTs to deepen their love of the sport.
Is Fanatics a good brand? ›Fanatics has a consumer rating of 2.55 stars from 2,564 reviews indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Consumers complaining about Fanatics most frequently mention customer service, day shipping and business days problems. Fanatics ranks 2nd among Jersey sites.
Who owns kynetic? ›Michael Rubin launched Kynetic on September 12, 2011, a next-generation commerce company consisting of three consumer Internet businesses: Fanatics, Rue La La and ShopRunner.
What type of company is Fanatics? ›Fanatics' commerce division is the world's largest manufacturer and provider of licensed sports merchandise, and the same innovation and differentiation the company applied to the antiquated licensed apparel industry is now being optimized across the entire sports ecosystem, including NFTs, sports betting and gaming, ...
How do I buy Topps stock? ›Topps isn't conducting its own initial public offering. It will go public through a merger with Mudrick Capital, a special acquisition company that is already public. The company can be bought on the NASDAQ, and it currently trades at $10.87 per share.
When was Fanatics founded? ›
How much is Fanatics valued at? ›Michael Rubin's Fanatics has raised $1.5 billion in a new funding round that values the sports platform company at $27 billion.
Is Fanatics the same as NFL Shop? ›The NFL Shop from Fanatics.com features Sportswear and Accessories from brands like Nike and New Era, as well as NFL coolers so you can head to the tailgate repping your team.
Is FansEdge the same as Fanatics? ›In fact, Fanatics is purchasing Dreams, which operates FansEdge.com and multiple other branded sports merchandise e-commerce sites, in a deal valued at $183 million. Fanatics is an online licensed sports products retailer owned and operated by Kynetic LLC.
What is Nasdaq Clct? ›08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Collectors Universe (NASDAQ: CLCT) (“Collectors Universe” or the “Company”), a leading provider of value-added authentication and grading...
Is WinCraft owned by Fanatics? ›Sports merchandise giant Fanatics has further strengthened its vertical commerce business with the acquisition of hard goods and non-apparel manufacturer WinCraft.
Who is the CFO of Fanatics? ›Fanatics has made another C-suite hire for its still-to-launch Betting & Gaming division, naming ANDREA ELLIS to the CFO role. Ellis joins Fanatics from the transportation company Lime, where she also was the CFO for two years.
Is Fanatics a Fortune 500 company? ›Fanatics Inc., a Fortune 500 company known for manufacturing licensed sports gear, clothing and other merchandise, will open a distribution center in North Las Vegas by June 2017.
Did Jay Z invest in Fanatics? ›Fanatics, Investor Group Including Jay-Z, Buy Mitchell & Ness for $250 Million - WSJ. News Corp is a global, diversified media and information services company focused on creating and distributing authoritative and engaging content and other products and services.
Is Fanatics privately owned? ›Who Owns Fanatics? Fanatics is a venture-backed private company. Its investors include the founders, employees, venture capital firms, sports leagues, and professional athletes. The company has conducted several capital raises, often pairing ownership stakes with exclusive licensing partnerships with sports leagues.
Is Fanatics a public company? ›
On the heels of a recent funding round that values the company at $27 billion, Fanatics makes for one of the most widely anticipated initial public offerings (IPOs). But it appears likely the sports merchandise giant will remain private through the end of 2022.
Who owns kynetic? ›Michael Rubin launched Kynetic on September 12, 2011, a next-generation commerce company consisting of three consumer Internet businesses: Fanatics, Rue La La and ShopRunner.
Is Fanatics and NBA store the same? ›The NBA Store at Fanatics is the premier source for NBA Clothing, so browse our massive assortment of apparel and accessories to find exactly what you need to complete your shopping list.
Is FansEdge the same as Fanatics? ›In fact, Fanatics is purchasing Dreams, which operates FansEdge.com and multiple other branded sports merchandise e-commerce sites, in a deal valued at $183 million. Fanatics is an online licensed sports products retailer owned and operated by Kynetic LLC.
What company did Jay-Z invest in? ›In 2021, Jay-Z put his money behind Bitski, a San Francisco–based startup NFT marketplace, and sLabs, a tech incubator that focuses on the metaverse and blockchain-based products, run by 24-year-old technologist Iddris Sandu from Ghana. According to Crunchbase, MVP has raised a total of $422.1 million in funds.
How much of Fanatics does Jay-Z own? ›According to the terms of the deal, Fanatics owns 75 percent with 25 percent purchased by Jay-Z, Meek Mill, Maverick Carter, Lil Baby, and others.
How do I invest in Fanatics Inc? ›Retail investors cannot buy the Fanatics stock as it is a private company, and they will have to wait for the company to start trading in a stock market.
How much is Fanatics valued at? ›Michael Rubin's Fanatics has raised $1.5 billion in a new funding round that values the sports platform company at $27 billion.
What type of company is Fanatics? ›Fanatics' commerce division is the world's largest manufacturer and provider of licensed sports merchandise, and the same innovation and differentiation the company applied to the antiquated licensed apparel industry is now being optimized across the entire sports ecosystem, including NFTs, sports betting and gaming, ...
How many users does Fanatics have? ›The company made headlines after plans it wants to enter the New York sports betting market emerged. Fanatics is under the impression it can leverage its 80 million user base tied to its sports merchandising company into a sports betting offering.
What is Fanatics stock symbol? ›
Fanatics (FANA) Stock Price Today, Quote & News | Seeking Alpha.
Will Gopuff go public? ›No. Gopuff is a private company.