Hang onto those Ken Stabler football cards. There’s still a chance.
Stabler is once again up for consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame after the Hall’s Seniors Committee selected the former Raiders and Saints quarterback as one of two nominees for selection in 2016. Wednesday’s decision means he’ll be put on the ballot for the full voting body before Super Bowl 50.
Stabler, who died of cancer earlier this summer, is considered by many to be one of the best players not to be enshrined in Canton. Collectors have often treated the Alabama native as a Hall of Famer, though, and his recent death renewed interest in his career. He’s always been revered by Raiders fans and collectors who recall his heroics in playoff and Super Bowl games in the 1970s.
Stabler football cards have been experiencing a growth in value that would likely increase should he be elected this winter.
Sales figures for his 1973 Topps rookie card, especially in high grade, have more than doubled in some cases. The last two sales of PSA 9 Stabler rookie cards have pushed past $700. Just three years ago, the typical selling price was $200-300. Prices for graded 8s have been over $100 over the past month and a half while 7s are more plentiful and have 
settled at around $40. Ungraded, near mint copies can still be had for $25-35.
Second year Stabler cards have been tough to find in higher grades. Few seem to come on the market, but even an 8 usually costs no more than $50-60. Stabler also appears on a Leader and Playoff card in the 1974 set.
During his playing career, Stabler regularly appeared on cards from 1973-1983, with 1980s issues typically costing only a few dollars at most. You can see his cards on eBay here.
The other senior Hall nominee is Dick Stanfel, an offensive lineman for the Lions and Redskins in the 1950s who was named to the NFL’s All-Decade team for the 1950s. Stanfel died in June. He was the Chicago Bears’ offensive line coach during the Super Bowl XX season.
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