Michael Rubin Says He'd 'Love to' Get Taylor Swift Fanatics Trading Cards, Says He 'Asked Her' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Michael Rubin; Taylor Swift.Photo:Matt Borkowski/BFA.com; Kevin Mazur/Getty

Matt Borkowski/BFA.com; Kevin Mazur/Getty

Friendship bracelets might not be the only things traded atTaylor Swiftconcerts in the future!

When speaking with PEOPLE on the red carpet atthe “Holy Grails” auctionon Tuesday night, Fanatics founder and CEO Michael Rubin revealed to PEOPLE exclusively a collaboration he has his sights set on with the pop superstar.

Fanatics is the newest official provider of trading cards in the sports universe — and while the decks primarily feature athletes across all the major leagues, they also have pop culture decks that include cards with the biggest names in music and cinema.

Matt Borkowski/BFA.com

The timing of the ask was appropriate, given Swift’s newfound presence in the football space since her whirlwind romance withTravis Kelcebeganat the start of the 2023 NFL seasonand Fanatics' immediatesales increase of the Chiefs player’s jerseyas a result.

“Travis Kelce was one of the top 5 selling NFL players and saw a nearly 400% spike in sales throughout the Fanatics network of sites, includingNFLShop.com,” a Fanatics spokesperson told PEOPLE on Sept. 25, one day afterSwift was first seen cheering on Kelceat Arrowhead Stadium.

While Rubin admitted they “didn’t push too hard” when the collaboration request was made at the time, he still says they’d “love to” make it happen in the future. “I mean a Taylor and Trav card together would be amazing,” he said.

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift embace after the Kansas City Chiefs win the 2024 Super Bowl.Ezra Shaw/Getty

Ezra Shaw/Getty

The inspiration behind putting together the “Holy Grails” auction — which saw a selection of the rarest cards in sports history auctioned off in front of notable celebrities, athletes and business titans — was a way to “introduce trading cards and collectibles to new audiences,” Rubin told PEOPLE.

Among one of those new fans? Rubin’s 18-year-old daughter, Kylie Rubin, whom he says “was not interested” in trading cards until one of her favorite rappers was involved. “When we did theTravis Scottlaunch at Fanatics Fest, she’s like, ‘Dad, I want those cards! They’re insane,'” he recalled.

Scott droppedlimited-edition Cactus Jack and Topps cardsthat were exclusively available atFanatics Fest, including one of the rapper himself. Scott even joined Rubin on a panel to discuss the collaboration at the event on Aug. 17 — and signed and handed out cards to fans, too.

Taylor Swift cheers on Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 24, 2023.Jason Hanna/Getty

Jason Hanna/Getty

Ironically, Rubin expressed to PEOPLE his interest in collaborating with Swift on this sports-related endeavorexactly one year aftershe cheered on Kelce and the Chiefs on Sept. 24, 2023. At the time, the pair’s romance was unconfirmed.

After the game — in which the Chiefs defeated the Bears 41-10 — Swift and Kelcewere seen walking out togetherbefore they left the stadium inhis 1970 Chevelle 408 Stroker convertible. The singer’s continued support of the athlete continued romance speculation, ultimately confirming their status on Oct. 14 when they wereseen holding handsas they left dinner in New York City.

Throughout the NFL season, Swift continued attending Chiefs games (13 in total) and ended with a Super Bowl LVIII victory. As the 2024 NFL season is underway, the superstar hasalready returned to the suiteto support Kelce and the team attwo of their three gamesto date.

source: people.com