FANATICS FEST 2025

Fanatics Fest NYC was exhilarating in its second year, bringing top athletes and fans together like never before.

The festival presented a massive card and collectibles show, autograph meets, athlete and celeb photo opps, interactive experiences, panels, and shows, over three days, June 20 to 22, 2025, at the Javits Center in Midtown Manhattan.

We loved seeing the break area, as well as cards of of favorite players, 1of1s, signed logo patches, vintage HOF rookies, and so much more. Signed jerseys, sportswear, sneakers, hats, memorabilia sprawled throughout the room.

The Activations and Fanatics Fest debut “Fanatics Games,” were next level. The new skills-based sports competition this year for athletes and fans had $2 million in cash and prize for pros and fans to compete. A mix of pros and fans took the top 10, with the event won by Tom Brady. After winning the allaround, Brady went on to purchase the 3rd prize Lebron 2003-04 Topps Chrome LeBron James Rookie Gold Refractor card, that was such poetic justice making this year super special. He went on to drop knowledge on panels, throw balls to fans, coldplunge with Kevin Hart.

The highlight for us was the Panel and Special Surprise with Tom Brady, Travis Scott, & Michael Rubin, moderated by Oakley Global President, Caio Amato. Like hitting a major trifecta, it proved to be an insane microcosm of Fanatics Fest.

WHO RUNS NY PANEL: DEREK JETER, AROD & MORE DISH ON THE MAKING OF DYNASTIES

It was an honor to catch the end of the Only in New York: 27 Rings panel in the theater just before. Yankees legends, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, CC Sabathia, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte and special guest Spike Lee dove into what makes dynasties; the legacy of the NY Yankees; BTS stories, and more. It was hosted by CC Sabathia & AJ Andrews.

It was cool to hear about being on winning teams; having the discipline and grit to go train and go through the ups and downs; and anecdotes like Reggie Jackson strikeouts; city rivalries and more.

There were thousands of people, but the vibe in this room was family - well until someone asked a corny question and you might get sprayed by a super-soaker courtesy of Spilke Lee's call. It was pointed out that one guy who asked an awkward question was wearing two hats, so sometimes it's too easy.

LEGENDARY PANEL: BRADY, RUBIN & TRAVIS SCOTT TALK ABOUT ATHENTICITY & PARTNERSHIP COLLABS

Michael Rubin talking about The Art of Partnership & Collaboration is always a masterclass. Proud and exuberant, he navigated some follow-ups of Oakley Global President, Caio Amato's questions, which peppered the audience with nuggets on business strategy and whimsical anecdotes on style splurges and even quick destination travel just to lock it in.

Beyond bling, Rubin fondly volunteered that Travis gets a blank-slate for his creative genius to flow and that they put together a quick collab just six days before the show, from the vision, to making it, to the many layers and partners quickly getting on board by phone executing with joyful precision.

Brady acknowledged his genuine love for cards; elaborated on CardVault and nodded about the vision and working with Fanatics and Topps that it's a great way to have serious collectors, fans, kids and hobbyists of all ages involved.

Congratulations to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerburg, who recorded a short video that played celebrating the Oakley Meta HSTN Performance AI Glasses before what ensued, and Scott took the stage.

OAKLEY META HSTN EXPERIENCE AMPED THE SURPRISE TRAVIS SCOTT PERFORMANCE

[Smoke] Bang! We went from Panel to Performance! His DJ walked on. The crowd rushed the stage. It was on!

I slid on the Limited Edition Oakley Meta HSTNs Performance AI Glasses that I had been fitted for before the panel/show (thanks Meta). The HSTN (pronounced "HOW-stuhn") fit well and I felt that they were stylish and sporty, great for adventures, around town, and upscale special events to capture moments you may come by surprise hands-free.

I felt more front row with a refreshing phone-free flow, who wants to be chained down behind a chunky mobile device. Instead, hands-free means instantly transported and I was right up in concert-mode and enabled to take in Travis' energy and capture it in a more intimate way.

Livvy Dunne was a couple seats down, taking in the panel and show. We noticed she did some cool haggling buying a Paul Skenes card in some of the fest recap.

Seeing the content later, the video was supersharp (3K UHD), and boasted superb audio quality where you can enjoy those memories. The super stabilization scored with well-grounded video, in spite and revelry of the loyal bouncing crowd and being mosh-pit adjacent. It was easy to use in a noisy, crowded environment with short and longer press button on the frame (otherwise, you can use voice command).

Amazing to later see how the show looked from Travis' POV! As he laced across the stage we see overjoyed fans raging and soaking in some of our favorite hits. His pop by beyond the smoke was fierce as always. It's been ages since I'd seen him by Z's Pent.

It was great to be guests of Oakley Meta! You can see more first hand from Paul Farkas about this epic concert from his POV by checking out the videos on Athleisure's YouTube Channel or go directly here, here, and here.

IG @oakleymeta

@meta

@fanatics

@fanaticsfest

ON THE GROUND COVERAGE | Paul Farkas

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | PG 38 - 42 Getty Images Assignment | PG 45 - 49 Matt Monath MetaXOakley | PG 50 Oakley Meta HSTN | PG 52 - 65 Paul Farkas |

Read the JUN ISSUE #114 of Athleisure Mag and see FANATICS FEST 2025 in mag.

BEING SEEN | MISTY COPELAND

We're honored that we got a few moments with American Ballet Theatre's Misty Copeland who broke barriers in the industry as the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer in ABT's 75-year history! As the Co-Founder of Greatness Wins, she launched the brand's first women's collection. This brand includes founders, Chris Riccobono (founder of UNTUCKit), NY Yankees Baseball Hall of Famer Derek Jeter and Rangers Legend - The Great One, Wayne Gretzky. The brand creates pieces whose foundation is based in performance, style, and comfort. We wanted to know more about her passion for this style of dance, the importance of this achievement, her favorite ballet memories and how she is using her platform to create inclusivity in a field that she is so passionate about!

ATHLEISURE MAG: What was the moment when you fell in love with ballet?

MISTY COPELAND: The first time I stepped into a ballet studio. I saw myself in the mirror, I felt seen and safe.

AM: You started in the corps de ballet in 2001, became an ABT soloist in 2007, and in 2015, you became the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer in their 75 year history! What does achieving that mean to you?

MC: The achievement to me is a platform to recognize, acknowledge and celebrate the contributions and successes of Black dancers from the past present and future. I’m a link in the chain.

AM: What are 3 of your favorite performances or ballet memories?

MC: My first performance of Firebird at the Metropolitan Opera House, Romeo and Juliet with La Scala Ballet at Teatro alla Scala, and my first show with Prince at Madison Square Garden dancing to his song, The Beautiful Ones.

AM: In addition to being a ballet dancer, you have also been a public speaker, spokesperson, been involved in documentaries, was a featured dancer for Prince and more! What does it mean to you that you have brought your talent and athleticism across so many platforms?

MC: This is what art should be - accessible, available, equal in the level of importance and recognition amongst sports and Hollywood entertainment. It’s surreal that we have reached this point to be in these spaces, but it also means growth and progress for ballet.

AM: At this year's Tribeca Film Festival, you debuted Flower which you were in and also produced! Tell us about the film as well as what it means to you that you were involved in this?

MC: Flower is a short art activism film highlighting Oakland, California and the social issues they’re experiencing, specifically gentrification and homelessness. We created a scripted story told through movement where the only spoken words are from actual houseless community members. This film is a modern ballet. It’s taking what I do onstage, telling a story through movement with a relevant story and something so many communities can relate to. This is an extension of everything I’ve worked for in my career. Access, bringing people into the arts, and this form of storytelling in a way that makes them feel welcomed.

AM: What was it like to attend this year's Chanel's Through Her Lens Luncheon for women filmmakers at this year's festival?

MC: To be in a room full of creative women who want to support one another and do everything they can to move the needle in the entertainment industry was inspiring!

IG @mistyonpointe

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Misty Copeland/Greatness Wins

Read the OCT ISSUE #94 of Athleisure Mag and see BEING SEEN | Misty Copeland in mag.