Tom Brady, minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, recently purchased a rare, one-of-one rookie card of the team's top draft pick, Fernando Mendoza, for what a business partner described as a "life-altering amount of money."
Chris Costa, co-founder and managing partner at CardVault by Tom Brady, told the California Post that the acquisition in July was the most expensive Fernando Mendoza card ever sold. The exact cost was not disclosed, but Costa noted it represented a significant sum for most individuals.
The pursuit of the card began in the spring when Topps announced that members of the 2026 draft class would be signing "My 1st NFL Auto" inscriptions on cards after learning their professional destinations. Brady expressed a strong desire for the card, especially after the Raiders selected Mendoza with the first overall pick.
"Tom basically raised his hand and was like, 'I want that card,'" Costa said. "'I need that card.'"
It took several weeks to locate the card's owner, a resident of the Southwestern United States. Following approximately a month of negotiations, Brady agreed to a deal that included a "hefty cash number" and an autographed jersey. A future meeting at a CardVault by Tom Brady location is also planned.
The transaction was completed days before Fanatics Fest in mid-July, where Brady showcased the card to attendees. "I got Fernando Mendoza’s ‘My 1st NFL Auto’ one-of-one," Brady stated at the event. "I know how hard he works. He’s got a great family and he’s coming to a great environment for success. So I figured you’ve got to invest in it, and it’s going to hopefully bring some good luck to Las Vegas."
Costa confirmed the card is now in Brady's possession.