Cooper Flagg’s one-of-one rookie patch card gets signed at Fanatics Fest
The Mavericks star autographed his unique Topps rookie debut patch card, setting up a high-stakes chase when 2026 Topps Chrome Update Basketball arrives.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
Cooper Flagg’s most-watched rookie card now has the signature collectors were waiting for.
At the third annual Fanatics Fest on Friday, ESPN’s Kevin Negandhi told the crowd that the Dallas Mavericks forward had signed his one-of-one numbered rookie debut patch autograph card just offstage, according to ESPN.
The card is part of Fanatics and Topps’ rookie debut patch autograph program, known to collectors as RDPA. Each card pairs an autograph with a patch taken from a jersey worn in a player’s first NBA game.
Flagg, the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year, is the headline name in the first basketball group for the program under Fanatics’ exclusive NBA trading card license, which ESPN reported began in October.
Mike Mahan, CEO of Fanatics Collectibles, told ESPN the Flagg card is “definitely the most important thing” signed at Fanatics Fest. He also called it the most anticipated basketball card “in a long, long time.”
A loaded rookie class, one golden ticket
The Flagg card is scheduled to be part of 2026 Topps Chrome Update Basketball, which ESPN reported is set for release on Aug. 6.
Collectors will not pull the physical card directly from packs. ESPN reported that Flagg’s RDPA card, along with cards for fellow rookies Kon Knueppel, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey and Derik Queen, will be inserted as redemption cards.
That means whoever finds the Flagg redemption will have a claim to the signed, one-of-one card tied to his NBA debut. In the collectibles world, that is rocket fuel.
Mahan told ESPN that cards like these are built around major athlete moments, including a debut, a high achievement or a record. He said Fanatics is trying to bring that connection to collectors through partnerships with leagues, teams and athletes.
The price talk is already wild
Flagg cards have already moved serious money. ESPN reported that the highest known price paid for any Flagg card is $366,000, reached at auction in March.
The jersey connected to this new card has gone even higher. According to ESPN, the jersey Flagg wore in the first half of his NBA debut, the same jersey the card’s patch came from, sold for $1 million in February. ESPN said that was then a record price for a jersey at NBA Auctions.
Geoff Wilson, founder of Sports Cards Investor, told ESPN that the $1.11 million sale of Paul Skenes’ rookie debut patch autograph card last year changed the market’s view of the category.
Wilson said he once thought Flagg’s card could reach $1.5 million when sold. He told ESPN his view has changed, putting a potential number at $5 million and calling it Flagg’s best card.
Could Flagg chase it himself?
Fanatics sees another sign of the program’s pull: athletes want their own cards. Mahan told ESPN that players may be major collectors or may not collect at all, but they still want rookie debut patch autograph cards.
Negandhi asked Flagg whether he might try to buy the card after it is pulled, according to ESPN.
“Maybe eventually,” Flagg said. “I might have to wait until I get my second contract, but maybe eventually.”
Mahan also told ESPN that Fanatics is looking at trading card games, multisport crossover products and more technology for collectors, including an app meant to hold more of what collectors need in one place.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.