Outbid (www.outbid.com), which combines the theater and transparency of live online auctions with social and gaming features, is launching weekly sports-themed auctions.
Their initial offering appears to consist primarily of souvenir type items but Outbid says it plans to “turn the online auction on its head by making what was once a static, plodding affair into a live event, complete with audio and a live auctioneer playfully prodding participants.” Anyone from a retired athlete to a comedian to an author on a book tour can co-host, interact with bidders and provide color commentary to accentuate the auction.
Here’s their take:
This combination of ecommerce, social and gamification is changing the way online auctions are conducted while turning smart devices, such as the iPhone or iPad, into a way for anyone to remotely participate, no matter where they are. Bidders can tap the enlarged buttons on their smart device screens, which allow them to instantly place their bids in rapid-fire contests where an item is typically purchased in less than three minutes.
Hall of Fame pro football coach Marv Levy is hosting his own Outbid auction at 4 p.m. PT Dec. 17. “I’m looking forward to co-hosting as well as having the chance to meet fans in this whole new, innovative arena.” The auction will benefit Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund, a non-profit organization that is providing financial grants and “pro bono” medical assistance to retired NFL players in dire need.
Outbid is owned by NASDAQ-quoted Copart, Inc, which developed the patented VB2 online auction technology.
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Our story published late last week on the decision by hockey’s Mike Eruzione to consign his game jersey and stick from the famous ‘Miracle on Ice’ victory over the Soviet Union in the 1980 Lake Placid Olympic Games has now caught the eye of mainstream media outlets.
CBS Sports.com, Fox Sports and Yahoo all had online stories Tuesday.
ESPN’s John Buccigross tweeted that Eruzione told him last summer he was planning to sell.
Expect minimum seven-figure winning bids and a hefty price on the gold medal game jersey too.
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Panini America will put two new products onto card store shelves today: Absolute Football and 2012-13 Limited Basketball, which features a couple of semi-new concepts.
Signed rookie cards will be printed on acetate stock, signed on-card and die cut to resemble the Eddie Gottlieb Trophy annually awarded to the league’s Rookie of the Year. They’re also debuting Home & Away memorabilia cards with “a spinning square built into the card that twists to reveal a piece of game-worn home jersey on one side and a piece of game-worn away jersey on the other.”
For around $100, you’ll get seven cards per pack with each one guaranteeing two autographs including one of the on-card rookies plus a memorabilia card.
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