Collectors wanting a little more peace of mind when considering the purchase of a higher cost, ungraded trading card are getting a little free help from eBay and one of the hobby's authentication firms. On Tuesday, eBay announced the launch of its Authenticity Guarantee service for trading cards. Single ungraded cards that sell for more than $750 either via auction or … [Read more...] about eBay Unveils Authenticity Guarantee Service for Ungraded Cards
Sports Memorabilia Industry News
1993-94 Topps Finest Basketball Broke New Ground in Hoops Market
1993-94 Topps Finest basketball was an upping of the ante in the sports card technological arms race right from the jump.After a wildly successful launch of 1993 Finest Baseball, Topps went over to the scorer's table and checked themselves into the game on the hardwood by launching the brand with its NBA license.The wild, busy, 1990s typical and all new all chromium design … [Read more...] about 1993-94 Topps Finest Basketball Broke New Ground in Hoops Market
Giannis Suing Leaf Over “Greek Freak” Trademark
Attorneys for Giannis Antetokounmpo have filed a lawsuit against Leaf Trading Cards over the use of the NBA superstar's "Greek Freak" nickname and likeness. The 21-page suit, filed Monday in U.S. District Court in New York, alleges trademark infringement and dilution. The suit says Leaf and Antetokounmpo made a deal just prior to the 2013 NBA Draft that included 1,000 … [Read more...] about Giannis Suing Leaf Over “Greek Freak” Trademark
30 Years Ago, Classic Shook Up The Basketball Market With An Exclusive Contract With Shaquille O’Neal
In 1992, Shaquille O'Neal was heralded as the biggest NBA rookie in years. Fresh off of a three-year career at LSU, O'Neal had become one of the most dominant players in the college game, averaging 24.1 points and 14 rebounds per contest in his final year. The dominant center was ready to step into a starring role with the Orlando Magic, who quickly scooped him up as the top … [Read more...] about 30 Years Ago, Classic Shook Up The Basketball Market With An Exclusive Contract With Shaquille O’Neal
Rubin: Fanatics Focused on Growing Sports Card Market
The CEO of the company now in charge of the longest running brand in sports trading cards says the deal to buy Topps came together without much of a hitch and again pledged to grow the sports collectibles market. “We’re always thinking about how we can reinvent a business that’s going to be better for all of the constituencies involved,” Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin told CNBC … [Read more...] about Rubin: Fanatics Focused on Growing Sports Card Market
It’s Official: Fanatics Buys Topps; Will Keep Staff
Less than five months after a sweeping acquisition of the trading card licenses for Major League Baseball, the NFL and NBA, Fanatics has made its first major move. The Florida-based company announced Tuesday that it has struck a deal to acquire long-time MLB licensee Topps. The move would allow Fanatics' new trading card division to assume Topps' current licenses … [Read more...] about It’s Official: Fanatics Buys Topps; Will Keep Staff
Mint Collective Postponed
The Mint Collective, a large, first of its kind event that had been scheduled for later this month in Las Vegas, has been postponed. Organizers say "increasing concerns regarding the Omicron COVID-19 variant" caused them to make the decision not to hold the event at the UFC's Apex training facility and the MGM Grand Hotel January 28-30. Instead, sponsors Collectable … [Read more...] about Mint Collective Postponed
2021 Was Hobby’s Wildest Ride Yet
Sports collectibles became one of the breakout stars of an otherwise rotten 2020. While shops and shows took a COVID pause, online business boomed. There was still plenty of uncertainty in the world as the 2021 calendars arrived but whether you were part of “the industry” or “the hobby,” a new year brought new anticipation and it didn't disappoint. In 2021, the … [Read more...] about 2021 Was Hobby’s Wildest Ride Yet
Upper Deck Lands Women’s Hockey Card License
Upper Deck is expanding its hockey card realm with a new multi-year deal that will bring cards to the Premier Hockey Federation beginning next year. The PHF, formerly known as the National Women’s Hockey League, has six teams based in the US and Canada. The deal includes both physical and digital cards and makes Upper Deck the league’s exclusive licensed … [Read more...] about Upper Deck Lands Women’s Hockey Card License
PSA Tallies Year, November Grading Numbers
PSA says it graded and shipped over seven million cards through the first 11 months of 2021. The company released a series of monthly and annual statistics on Thursday as it continues to work through a massive backlog of orders that peaked earlier this year and forced the company to stop accepting submissions at its lowest cost service levels. In November alone, the … [Read more...] about PSA Tallies Year, November Grading Numbers