FANATICS FEST 2026

We enjoyed going to Fanatics Fest 2026 at the Javits Center, NYC. It had four heavy days of card show, Fanatics Games, panels, autographs, breaks. experiences, and more. The show was even better this year than last, and really brought out the best athletes, teams, entertainers, and brands for loyal fans eager to see their favorites. Definitely hometown NY Knicks had a big vibe coming off of their historic win; demonstration of teamwork and hustle; and Espy win.

The Fanatics Games are so innovative, definitely something we look forward to. This year Justin Bieber took the overall win. it was so much fun hanging with Big Papi on “ice.” (Athleisure Mag Cover, Issue #125). He was teeing off against Yankee great HOF CC Sabathia, an exciting pairing. Fortunately, someone shouted to keep the puck on the ground, and Ortiz nailed one smoothly in. NJ Devil was also part of hospitality, had been a bit since we saw you at Star Wars night at Prudential Center.

UFC Suga Sean v NYG Skatterbo were locked in. They were putting some targets, after some close calls, Sean hit one and celebrated. Skatt chuckled and came out to the crowd and signed a bunch of autos and did some Skatt Blasts. It’s fire to see two elite athletes from different sports go head to head in these games.

Conversely, Kevin Hart taking on Marcello Hernández were not locked in. Nope, but you knew that was the case. We picked up with soccer/football grand-standing. A lot of hoopla. Hart looked like he made a couple of tough ones. There was some more amped peaccking you’d expect from these two. Then we saw them dueling it out in golf.

WNBA Legend Diana Taurasi v US Kelley O’Hara remained serious competitors through out on the greens, as were Jordan Chiles and Tiffany Haddish in their battle. Mo Bama and Sheck Wes shooting hoops on the court was fun. Big group, all were invited. We also caught up with them on the ice; Sheck was super cool to some zealous fans, also doing some signature posing.

We also took in some excellent panels.

Cody Rhodes had a great discussion with GOAT QB Tom Brady. Cody was psyched to bring out Brady as someone he’s long admired. Brady was happy to relate he’s a perfect fit for a WWE heel. As with the year before, when we saw him speak with Oakley Meta. Michael Rubin, and Travis Scott, Brady just dropped dimes of wisdom in all his stories and answers. He revisited collecting cards as a kid. We’d imagine it’d be that level of cool to jackpot with your own cards you collected of yourself while playing, and to have those cards dwarf the sizeable PC you cared for over the years throughout, and now run CardVault by Brady, Both are extremely expiring. Brady learning from Manning to spark a top Gronk go-to move. Surround yourself with greatness. stay curious, honor the game and the greats’ legacies was another great story.

Dana White hosted a Zuffa Boxing panel, including featuring Ryan Garcia. (Ryan was our Cover Star for November 2021, #71). Always entertaining, Ryan looked eager and ready to go. Those hands are so fast for sure.

Inter and Nike held a 2026/27 Away Jersey Kit Reveal with Republic Records and artist performances showing exemplary sports, fashion, and music together.

Chirstian Vieri helped launch the jersey on stage, loving how it felt.

We also kicked off the show seeing Mr Wonderful do a $1.8M card deal with Shyne. O’Leary walked on the stage and reminded the crowd to always buy the best.

The show presents solid, warm networking opportunities, some cool people and brands were met, and old friends seen. Remote top NYC events had Fanatics Fest going all over town, as was for us as for the Final match watch party with Don Julio 1942 Tequila. We watched in a gorgeous tent adjacent to yacht on the pier. it was a pleasure and honor to watch the Final with Jacket Designer legend Jeff Hamilton, who mentioned some fabulous stories, feeling on the sports, wellness and the city, and also finding this year at Fanatics Fest special.

In our next part, we’ll share what we enjoyed seeing and learning from additional panels we attended, including John Cena; Spike Lee and Ryan Clarke; Diana Taurasi and Legend UConn Husky Alums, and more.

IG @fanaticsfest

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Paul Farkas

Read the JUL ISSUE #127 of Athleisure Mag and see FANATICS FEST 2026 in mag.

MINDFUL DEDICATION WITH CHRIS BRICKLEY

As we head closer to the NBA Playoffs, we caught up with Chris Brickley, a Player Development Coach who played at the University of Louisville under Rick Pitino, worked with players at the NY Knicks and launched a successful training company, BlackOps Basketball. His training has been sought after by a number of basketball players, entertainers and more.

We took some time in between his busy schedule to find out about how he built his career, how he became so influential in the sport as well as his personal projects.

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you fall in love with the game of basketball?

CHRIS BRICKLEY: I fell in love with the game at 11 years old. I realized I could use the game to do some amazing things and I became obsessed with it.

AM: You played at the University of Louisville under Rick Pitino and went on to coaching at Ole Miss and being the youngest assistant coach at an NCAA Division I school at Fairleigh Dickinson University. What is it about coaching that you enjoy?

CB: Being in love with the game of basketball and learning from Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino, I wanted to be just like him. I wanted to teach young men the game of basketball and the game of life.

AM: How did you transition from coaching there to being at the NY Knicks?

CB: When I was coaching at FDU, I would workout JR Smith at night at Manhattan College. That season JR was 6th man of the year. The Knicks heard about me and hired me.

AM: What is a Player Development Coach and what do you do in that role when it comes to interacting with your players?

CB: My role was to make development plans for all of the players and to make sure during the off-season and season they were constantly improving. I loved it.

AM: When did you realize that you wanted to start BlackOps Basketball and why was that important for you to do?

CB: Being with the Knicks for 4 seasons, I believed that I had enough connections to branch out on my own. Even though leaving a guaranteed Knicks contract wasn’t easy, I’m glad I made the decision. BlackOps Basketball is something I am proud about.

AM: What are your days like with your clients during the season and off season?

CB: During the season, it’s a lot of text convos and dinners, taking about their games and what they can do better. The off-season is grind time - we make a plan and work extremely hard to attack that plan.

AM: When it comes to taking on clients as you have a number of NBA stars, those looking to hone their skills for college as well as those that are entertainers, what do you look for?

CB: I look for players and people that genuinely love the game and want to get better. You don’t need to be an NBA star or a celeb, you just need to be urgent about getting better. Simple as that.

AM: What kind of intake questions do you ask for those that have worked with you for the first time? Do you ask what they want to improve, athletes that they want to play like etc?

CB: We have many conversations before we start up. I ask them what they think they need to improve & work on. I tell the them what I think they need to improve and work on and we come to a common ground. Then we work.

AM: In working with your clients, how much interaction do you have with their teams’ coaches?

CB: I have a lot of interaction. In the off-season players coaches will come in the gym and watch the workouts. They will also give me stuff to focus on.

AM: You have also been working with J. Cole who will premiere this month playing for the Rwanda Patriots BBC for the inaugural season of the Basketball Africa League. I know this was a dream for him to play at a pro level, what was it like working with him to get him to this dream?

CB: J. Cole was someone I looked up to way before working with him. So to work with him every night for 4-5 months was amazing. He got so much better and now he’s a pro!

AM: I know that Quavo has worked with you for a while and introduced you to Travis Scott, which brought you on tour with him, how do you schedule your time as your work can literally take you anywhere?

CB: So Quavo is one of my close friends so shout-out to him. When he introduced me to Travis, Travis asked me immediately to come on tour with him. His tour hit all the NBA cities and it was during the winter so it worked perfectly. I could work with Travis and also see my clients in their cities. Shoutout my guy Travis!

AM: We’ve enjoyed looking at your feed over the years where you’ve shared pick up games at Life Time Athletic with LeBron James, James Harden, Carmelo Anthony etc. – how did these come about and did you realize that this would be such a draw for others to want to participate in as well?

CB: One night Melo and I were hanging out in Puerto Rico and he said when we get back to NYC schedule a pickup game. He said he wanted to play some 5 on 5. The first one I scheduled had Kevin Durant, Kemba Walker, JR Smith along with 10 other NBA players, it went viral and the rest is history.

AM: How do you take time for yourself when you’re not watching games, prepping for your clients, working with them in person, etc.?

CB: I listen to music, hangout with friends and go on walks. Music and walks are my peace of mind.

AM: You’ve partnered with BODYARMOR. How did this partnership come about and what is it about your synergy that made sense for you to work with one another?

CB: I’m very excited about my new partnership with BODYARMOR. Seeing the growth they’ve had in the last few years and the potential they have to do more – along with the fact that they have incredible athlete investors who I regularly work with like Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and Trae Young – it was a no-brainer for me. I know my brand and company is still on the rise too, so we’re both grinding to be the best out there and that makes it even more special.

AM: Why do you like including BODYARMOR within your routine?

CB: Now more than ever, athletes and trainers – like myself – are paying close attention to what we put in our bodies. To perform like the best, you need to prepare like the best – and hydration plays a major role in that. BODYARMOR is my go-to because it gives me exactly what I need – potassium-packed electrolytes, vitamins, and antioxidants – to ensure I’m feeling my best out on the court and can perform to my highest level.

AM: Tell me about Color Blind. What’s the ethos behind it and what is the product assortment that’s currently available?

CB: Color Blind is my baby! It means so much to me. I love fashion and I love the meaning. It represents the light in all of us Doesn’t matter your race, your gender, your religion, we are all humans. I have some amazing collabs coming soon! I can’t wait for you guys to see.

AM: What other projects are you working on that you’re able to share with us? Based on your IG, it seems like you’re working on some music?

CB: Yes BlackOps Presents ‘Welcome To The Grind’, it is going to be the soundtrack for all hoopers and athletes across the world. When athletes and people in general are working out I want them to play this album. The album has some of the biggest names in music. It’s going to be a classic!

IG @CBrickley603

@BlackOps.basketball

@ColorBlind

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | PG 56 - 61 Chris Brickley/Social | PG 64 BODYARMOR |

Read the May issue #65 of Athleisure Mag and see Mindful Dedication with Chris Brickley in mag.