So what’s the National Sports Collectors Convention experience like in 2024?
“Woodstock.”
Longtime dealer JD Heckathorn might have nailed it.
There’s no rain and mud and Jimi Hendrix isn’t walking through those I-X Center doors but it sure feels like Cleveland is a magnet for every sports collector in the world. The VW bug has been replaced by SUVs and shuttle busses but the getting here isn’t much different.
Lyft and Uber drivers (whatever happened to taxis, anyway?) are battling others for position outside the front entrance. Some collectors are bailing out of their ride before they even get on the property since they can arrive faster if they just get out and hoof it.
There are lines to get in the door in the morning.
There are lines to get coffee. There are big lines for lunch. There are lines to the bathrooms (downstairs is slightly better and the VIP lounge area is the best).
Sellers stand in line to sell cards to willing buyers.
One father whose son had begged him to go to the big show sat on the concrete outside the doors and wailed.
“This is crazy. What a mess,” he exclaimed, adding a few other NSFW comments to a stranger.
Yet the crush of people determined to experience the sports collecting Super Bowl will not be denied. Dealers are doing a bang-up business and cards are still king. Vintage collectors dig through binders and boxes ($1 1960s and 70s football cards were being gobbled up at the table below. Others drop bigger bucks on graded greats.
Modern collectors and their big plastic cases are everywhere. Deals can happen anywhere. Tables set up for diners are occupied by people buying, selling and trading even though there’s a sign that says you can’t.
It’s a safe bet most will be looking for new inventory come Monday.
“The last 72 hours has been the best 72 hour start we have ever had at any National,” remarked dealer Nathan Burns.
Cleveland seems honored to have it, but the National Sports Collectors Convention has surely outgrown its eight-time home if this kind of momentum sustains itself or, God forbid, grows bigger.
Ready to head back to your hotel/home/dinner spot? Be prepared to wait in gridlock for a bit.
For the second straight year, show attendance will surely be north of 100,000 people by the time Sunday afternoon rolls around.
If you’re coming in for the weekend, the most important thing to bring might be your patience.
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