About Fanatics
Fanatics is the global leader in licensed sports merchandise and a digital sports platform that ignites the passions of fans worldwide. They operate the e-commerce sites for all major professional sports leagues (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NASCAR, MLS, PGA) and hundreds of collegiate and professional teams.
Beyond just jerseys and apparel, Fanatics has expanded into trading cards, collectibles, and sports betting. For affiliates, this means promoting a brand that is virtually synonymous with “official fan gear.”
Fanatics Affiliate Program Overview
Fanatics runs a robust affiliate program that allows partners to earn commissions by driving traffic to their massive inventory of over 500,000 officially licensed products.
| Feature | Details |
| Industry | Sports, Apparel, E-commerce |
| Product Type | Licensed Sports Merchandise (Jerseys, Hats, T-shirts, Collectibles, Memorabilia) |
| Affiliate Program Type | CPS (Cost Per Sale) / Revenue Share |
Fanatics Affiliate Program Offers
The program is known for high conversion rates during sports seasons but has a relatively short cookie duration compared to some competitors.
| Feature | Details |
| Promotional Materials | Text links, Banners, Product Feeds (Deep linking available) |
| Affiliate Cookie Duration | 7 Days |
| Accepted Traffic Source | Content sites, Sports Blogs, Social Media (TikTok/Instagram/YouTube), Email Marketing (with approval) |
| Accepted Countries | Global (Fanatics has specific US, UK, and International portals) |
| Explicit Content | Not Permitted (Strict brand safety guidelines apply) |
| Religious or Political Content | Not Permitted (General network terms prohibit divisive or sensitive content) |
Fanatics Affiliate Commissions & Payments
Fanatics offers a competitive commission rate for the physical retail space, with reliable monthly payouts managed through major affiliate networks.
| Feature | Details |
| MLM | No |
| Commission Rate | Up to 10% (Base rate typically starts around 8%) |
| Commission Structure | Flat percentage per sale (Rates may vary by product category or partner volume) |
| Payout Frequency | Monthly |
| Payout Methods | Direct Deposit (ACH), Check, Wire Transfer, PayPal (varies by network) |
| Minimum Payout | $50 |
Suitable Affiliates for Fanatics Affiliate
This program is highly specific to the sports niche. If your audience cares about teams, players, or leagues, this is a prime monetization option.
- Bloggers: Specifically sports news, team fan sites, and fantasy sports advice blogs.
- TikTokers: Creators showing off game-day outfits (“fit checks”) or unboxing new jerseys.
- KOC (Key Opinion Consumers): Superfans who review quality of replicas vs. authentic gear.
- KOL (Key Opinion Leaders): Sports analysts or commentators with a loyal following.
- Influencers: Lifestyle influencers who incorporate sportswear into their fashion.
- YouTubers: Channels dedicated to sports highlights, commentary, or memorabilia collections.
- Video Editors: Creators making highlight reels who can link to the jerseys of the players featured.
- Livestreamers: Hosts of “Watch along” parties for live games who can drop product links for the teams playing.
Fanatics Affiliate Software
Fanatics primarily uses Impact Radius (Impact) to manage their affiliate program. They have also historically used ShareASale and AvantLink for specific sectors or legacy accounts, but Impact is their modern “Fanatics Affiliate Partner Program” hub. They do not use a proprietary in-house software; they rely on these third-party networks for tracking and payments.
3 Alternatives for Fanatics Affiliate Program
While Fanatics dominates the official licensing market, other retailers offer broader equipment selections or different commission structures.
1. Dick’s Sporting Goods: A massive retailer that sells not just team fan gear but also playing equipment (golf clubs, baseball bats, kayaks), which Fanatics largely lacks.
2. Foot Locker: Focuses heavily on sneaker culture and streetwear. Better for audiences interested in shoes (Jordans, Yeezys, Nike) rather than team jerseys.
3. Amazon Associates: The catch-all. Lower commissions and very short cookies, but high conversion rates because everyone already trusts Amazon.
| Comparison Factor | Fanatics | Dick’s Sporting Goods | Foot Locker | Amazon Associates |
| Average Bill (AOV) | ~$80 – $100 | ~$100 – $125 | ~$100 – $120 | Variable (High for equipment) |
| Entry Fees | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Withdrawal Threshold | $50 | $50 | $25 – $50 (Network dependent) | $10 |
| Payment Frequency | Monthly | Monthly | Monthly | Monthly (Net-60) |
| Commission | Up to 10% | 2% – 5% | ~2% | 3% (Sports Category) |
| Cookie Duration | 7 Days | 14 – 30 Days | 2 – 7 Days | 24 Hours |
| Marketing Materials | Deep Linking, Data Feeds | Banners, Text Links | Banners, Text Links | SiteStripe, Native Ads |
