SI Offers Take on Sports Card Industry

Using the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. as a backdrop, Sports Illustrated delves into the state of the sports card industry.

It's hard to recall another month in which the sports card and sports memorabilia industry has gotten so much national publicity.

MLB chose Topps as its licensed partner.

The National Sports Collectors Convention got a page one feature on ESPN.com.

Now, Sports Illustrated is devoting a few pages in this week's issue to the state of the industry via a visit to Upper Deck's "game used memorabilia room" and the man who helped make Ken Griffey Jr. a sports card icon--while working for the company as a teenager.

It's a bit pessimistic and trots out the old "1990s vs. today" comparisons, but you'll also get a sneak peek at what's in store for some upcoming Upper Deck products.

Coal from the Titanic anyone?