The growing soccer card market got a big boost on Sat., Sept. 11 as Cristiano Ronaldo made a glorious return to his former club, Manchester United. While soccer has clearly supplanted auto racing as the fifth largest sport in the sports card market, there really is no North American comparable to Ronaldo joining Manchester United. If there was a Mount Rushmore for soccer, … [Read more...] about Ronaldo’s Return to Manchester United Sparks Soccer Market
Sports Memorabilia Industry News
Beckett Grading Still Buried, But Hoping to Resume Some Services Soon
How big is the backlog of cards at Beckett Grading? "If no more cards come in today to be graded, we have enough grading work for next year,” Jeromy Murray told shop owners and other industry pros on Wednesday morning. It’s honest assessment of a problem that’s been a sharp corner in the backside of collectors and dealers for more than a year. As demand and prices … [Read more...] about Beckett Grading Still Buried, But Hoping to Resume Some Services Soon
Hobby Shop Owners Discuss Booming Business, Finding Help, Advertising, More
In the late winter and early spring of 2020, as COVID began to spread across North America, sports card shop owners were rightfully concerned. In the Denver suburbs, Mike Fruitman looked as his checkbook, started doing some math and thought about the number of months he might be able to keep his head above water if things got really bad. "I didn't know if we were going to … [Read more...] about Hobby Shop Owners Discuss Booming Business, Finding Help, Advertising, More
College Players in Packs of Football Cards? It’s Happening
You can now open a pack of football cards and get NFL prospects who are still in college. What a time. The debut edition of 2021 Onyx Vintage College Football will offer some of the first pack pulled cards that have resulted from the new Name/Image/Likeness (NIL) rules, with the players profiting from the use of their names, photos and autographs. And it’s not just … [Read more...] about College Players in Packs of Football Cards? It’s Happening
PSA Grading Tally: Over 2 Million Trading Cards Since June
PSA graded 669,000 trading cards in August and more than two million in the last three months as the company continued to work through a record-breaking backlog. That number is down a bit from what was processed in June and July, but still far ahead of the pace the company was at last spring, according to data from GemRate.com. In June, PSA’s data indicated that … [Read more...] about PSA Grading Tally: Over 2 Million Trading Cards Since June
Report: Topps’ Eisner Talked Sale Last Winter, Dismissed Questions About Licenses
Topps was hoping for a buyer to emerge last winter, essentially taking bids from interested parties as interest in its products soared. That's according to a story in the New York Post. Quoting unnamed “insiders”, the Post also says Chairman Michael Eisner dismissed concerns about potential challengers for the company’s MLB trading card license. “He was … [Read more...] about Report: Topps’ Eisner Talked Sale Last Winter, Dismissed Questions About Licenses
Sports Law Attorney Sifts Through Fanatics’ Blockbuster Licensing Deals
Now that the dust has settled somewhat after Fanatics’ apparent licensing deals with pro sports leagues and their players' unions, Topps and Panini America find themselves at a crossroads. The MLBPA deal begins in 2023, while MLB’s current agreement with Topps runs through 2025. The NBA and NFL unions’ deals with Panini run through 2025 and 2026, respectively. Topps … [Read more...] about Sports Law Attorney Sifts Through Fanatics’ Blockbuster Licensing Deals
MINT Collective Event Focused on Investing, Growth
A three-day sports collectible event scheduled to take place in Las Vegas this winter includes a card show but the primary focus is a series of speakers who will discuss the hobby as an investment vehicle. The MINT Collective will take place January 28-30, 2022 in Las Vegas at a UFC-owned facility as well as the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino. IMG, the … [Read more...] about MINT Collective Event Focused on Investing, Growth
Report: Fanatics Snares NFLPA Trading Card License in 20-Year Deal
Like Godzilla swooping in on an unsuspecting town, Fanatics is apparently grabbing hold of yet another trading card license--one they'll hold until today's newborns might be parents themselves. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the NFL Players Association has now agreed to a deal with the Florida-based sports giant. The move follows Fanatics' recent reported … [Read more...] about Report: Fanatics Snares NFLPA Trading Card License in 20-Year Deal
Report: Fanatics Deal with NBA, Players for Trading Cards Now Done
The dominos continue to fall in a stunning turn of events for the sports trading card market. The NBA and the league's players have both agreed to a new deal with ecommerce giant Fanatics that will make the Florida-based company the new exclusive card licensee. The news came Monday morning from Shams Charania, lead NBA reporter for The Athletic. Licensed … [Read more...] about Report: Fanatics Deal with NBA, Players for Trading Cards Now Done