Sports card retail chain CardVault by Tom Brady announced its first strategic investor group Thursday, with key players from across tech and entertainment as well as professional sports leagues including the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB and UFC. Notable investors include New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid, musician and entrepreneur Jay-Z, Fenway Sports Group owner John Henry, The Kraft Group, Boston Celtics CEO Wyc Grousbeck and UFC president and CEO Dana White. Financial details of the investment round weren’t disclosed.Company co-founder and managing partner Chris Costa told The Athletic the investment will help the card shop chain expand with new stores, hire more employees and strengthen technology and operating infrastructure. He added that it was important for the company to find investors who have participated in the trading card industry.“These are folks that are in tune with this space and have been active in this space, either quietly or publicly,” Costa said. “There are some real collectors on this list, which is one of the most exciting parts for me. … This industry has been driven by passion, and it is an industry that has kind of taken itself to a next generation.“But passion for collecting and passion for fans is at the core of our business and our industry, so making sure that is true across our investor base is incredibly important.”Founded in 2020, CardVault has 17 locations across the United States, 14 of which have opened since the seven-time Super Bowl winner acquired a 50 percent ownership stake in the retailer in February 2025. The company plans to eventually reach 100-plus stores nationwide, with 24 locations expected by the end of the year and 40 by the end of 2027.