Fanatics Scores Seven Legal Wins, Dismisses Multiple Suits Over Trading Cards

Fanatics has just logged seven court victories in the past year, according to the latest filings. The firm says each claim was a frivolous attempt to squeeze money from the brand. It has spent time and resources fighting each case and has emerged on the winning side every time.

A recent dismissal involved a batch of buyers who alleged that Fanatics’s exclusive contracts with top leagues such as the NBA and NFL stifled competition and raised prices. The judge concluded that the plaintiffs failed to prove they overpaid or would overpay in the future. An earlier case, often referenced as Scaturo, met a similar fate after the court found the plaintiffs lacked proper standing.

Another consolidated action, known as Jones, bundled many indirect purchasers and raised antitrust and consumer protection arguments. The court again deemed the claims insufficient, which also undermines rival Panini’s broader harm narrative. Panini continues to press its own lawsuit, accusing Fanatics of monopolizing the sports card market after securing key licensing rights. Fanatics counters that Panini pursued an unfair campaign of deceptive trade practices.

Two class actions about NFL merchandise were tossed by a New York district court as well. Those suits alleged that Fanatics and the NFL illegally limited the distribution of official gear. The courts ruled that the plaintiffs could not establish antitrust standing, leading to the dismissals.