NEW YORK — Aaron Judge has spent the summer in an unusual place for the Yankees captain. He has been away from the lineup, working through a fractured right rib while New York tries to stay in the AL East race without the hitter who normally defines its offense.
Away from the Yankees clubhouse, however, Judge has expanded a business portfolio that now reaches beyond endorsements.
His newest move is different from attaching his name to a product. The Yankees star is putting money into a company trying to turn the traditional hobby shop into a national retail platform.
Judge joins Tom Brady’s CardVault investor group
Judge is part of the first strategic investor group announced Thursday by CardVault by Tom Brady, a sports collectibles retailer built around trading cards, memorabilia, grading services and live-shopping experiences.
The Yankees captain is investing alongside Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter, Connor McDavid, Dana White, Gerry Cardinale, Wyc Grousbeck, John Henry, The Kraft Group and several investment executives.
Neither the size of Judge’s individual investment nor the total amount raised was disclosed. CardVault also did not disclose its valuation. That leaves Judge’s financial exposure unknown, but the structure matters: this is an ownership investment rather than a Yankees-related sponsorship deal.
CardVault said the new capital will fund additional stores, new distribution channels, hiring, technology, supply-chain infrastructure and customer-experience improvements. The company also wants to expand beyond physical stores through automated retail, digital commerce, strategic partnerships and live-streamed sales.
Brady framed the expansion around the social side of collecting and the company’s effort to widen the hobby’s audience.
“Collecting today is about much more than owning a card. It’s about the stories, the memories and the community that brings fans together,” Brady said. “CardVault is building a place where every collector from someone opening their first pack to lifelong hobbyists can share that passion. The caliber of this investor group reflects the opportunity we see to grow collecting into an even bigger part of sports culture.”
Why CardVault wants Judge as more than a famous name
Judge’s inclusion fits the company’s stated strategy. CardVault says it did not assemble the group simply to add celebrity faces to its marketing. The company wants investors who can help it build relationships, expand into new markets and reach sports fans who may not view themselves as traditional card collectors.
Co-founder Ed Kane said the company specifically sought investors who could contribute to the next stage of growth.
“We weren’t looking for passive investors, we wanted builders, people who genuinely understand what we’re creating and can help us scale it the right way,” Kane said. “When leaders of this caliber choose to bet on CardVault, that’s a powerful signal about where this industry is headed. I’m incredibly proud of the group we’ve assembled, and even more excited about what’s next.”
Judge brings obvious value. The Yankees captain is a three-time American League MVP and one of MLB’s most recognizable active players. Stars such as Judge can drive demand for rookie cards, autographs and game-used items.
That makes CardVault a natural extension of Judge’s Yankees identity. It sells Topps, Panini, Upper Deck, Pokémon and Fanatics Authentic products and offers buying, selling, trading and grading services.
Brady’s 50% stake changed the company’s trajectory
The business Judge is joining has already changed quickly. Brady acquired a 50% ownership stake in CardVault in February 2025 and added his name to the brand. Since then, the company says it has expanded from three stores to 17 locations nationwide in a little more than a year.
Its long-term plan is much larger. CardVault wants more than 100 stores, particularly around major sports and entertainment destinations, bringing the brand closer to fans already spending around live events.
CardVault also operates CardVault Breaks, a live-streaming business that lets customers watch products opened in real time and participate remotely.
Co-founder and managing partner Chris Costa said the new investment is designed to speed up that expansion without abandoning the company’s core retail concept.
“From day one, our vision has been to build the next generation hobby shop at scale. A premier national retail destination where collectors, athletes and fans come together,” Costa said. “This investment gives us the ability to reach more collectors, open in more markets, and continue delivering the products, expertise and experiences that have earned our customers’ trust. As we grow, we are maniacally focused on our collectors and customers, and the experience we provide them will always come first.”
Judge adds ownership to an already broad commercial profile
For Judge, the move adds ownership to a commercial profile built during his Yankees career through brands including Pepsi, Adidas, Jordan Brand, Ralph Lauren and Fanatics. CardVault is different because he is investing in the underlying business.
The timing creates a contrast. The Yankees are waiting for their captain to return during the postseason race while Judge is making a long-term bet on sports collectibles and fan spending.
Judge has not publicly disclosed how much he invested, what percentage of CardVault he owns or whether he will take an operating or advisory role. The company has likewise not announced specific responsibilities for him. For now, the confirmed development is narrower but significant: the Yankees captain has moved from brand partner to strategic investor in Brady’s expanding collectibles business.
Judge’s latest business venture is therefore about ownership, not another endorsement. CardVault is trying to scale the neighborhood card shop into a national network, and the Yankees captain has put undisclosed capital behind that bet.
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