This past week was a major one for Mantel as we touched down at Fanatics Fest in NYC. With a packed schedule and a ton of momentum behind the hobby, we hit the ground running—and it didn’t disappoint. Here were the highlights of my week.

Wednesday – Mojo x Bleecker Kickoff

Things kicked off with a private event hosted by Mojo Sports and Mantel at Bleecker. If you’re unfamiliar, Mojo is one of the key voices in the hobby right now.

We had pizza from L’Industrie (my pick for best in NYC), and collectors brought the heat. One collection that stood out was a PSA 1 showcase, featuring cards with stories that go well beyond their price tags.

The big moment of the night came when Steve Aoki showed up. He’s no stranger to the hobby and brought the energy. Within minutes, the room filled up, and yes, he did his signature cake toss. Mojo took the hit like a champ. You could say Fanatics Fest week officially started with a bang.

Thursday – Trade Night Chaos

We were up early setting up the Mantel booth, and by evening, I was back at Bleecker for King of the Kards’ trade night.

It was absolute mayhem—in the best way. Tables filled, deals flying. The biggest move of the night? King of the Kards dropped $19,000 on a haul that included a Patrick Mahomes Prizm RC, Josh Allen Donruss Optic RC, LeBron James Topps Chrome Refractor RC, and a 2006 LeBron Signature Shots Auto.

But the most memorable card was a custom Jeff Bezos “Employee of the Month” card. Not real, but definitely hilarious. The hobby never stops finding new ways to surprise you—especially on nights like this.

Friday – The Show Begins

Friday was stacked. I’ll spare you the full play-by-play and stick to the two moments that stood out.

The Panel:
Michael Rubin, Tom Brady, and Travis Scott took the stage, and the crowd was loud. Brady even joked about getting a rare warm welcome in NYC. Rubin broke down his mindset on building brands and collaborations, stating, “I love partnering with entrepreneurial people who move the needle.” He credited Travis as one of those. Travis, on the other hand, said it simply: “Everything I collab with are things I loved as a kid.”

Then came a surprise: Mark Zuckerberg appeared on screen to announce a Meta x Oakley collab with new smart glasses. He called on Travis to perform, and the panel turned into a live concert. Travis performed with the new glasses on, and the crowd went off.

The Vince Carter Moment:
As someone from Toronto, this one hit differently. Vince spoke about his journey, his jersey retirement, and even finishing his degree while playing Game 7 in the playoffs. It was raw and thoughtful—something I didn’t expect in that setting. Legend then. Legend now.

(Photo Credit: Getty Images/Fanatics)

Saturday – Hidden Gems

Saturday kept the momentum going. I caught the Brady x Kevin Hart taping for Cold As Balls and then spent more time walking the floor.

(Photo Credit: Getty Images/Fanatics)

The highlight? Talking to The UFC Card Father, who had the biggest UFC card collection I’ve ever seen. His centerpiece: a $1.2 million Joe Rogan 1/1 cut auto by Upper Deck. The card doesn’t say UFC—just “comedian”—because of a licensing issue with Topps. You learn something new every day.

Final Thoughts

I flew out Saturday night and missed the final day, but even with an early exit, the week over-delivered. Between the big names, obscure cards, wild trade night stories, and passionate collectors, Fanatics Fest felt like a tipping point for the hobby. The energy is there. The culture is evolving. And this is only the beginning.