Athletes participate in Fanatics Fest with live podcasts and events

The third annual Fanatics Fest took place at New York City's Javits Center over four days, featuring over 500 celebrities, including current and former athletes. Among the events were live podcast episodes, with notable figures like LeBron James, Aaron Judge, and Shaquille O'Neal participating. The convention attracted around 200,000 attendees who engaged in various activities, including panels and autograph signings. Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin reported a production budget of $80-90 million, indicating significant investment in athlete appearances. The event highlights a growing intersection of sports and media through live shows.

• 12:16 PMYahoo Sports — How Fanatics Fest became the place for sports' biggest stars to be seen (and heard)