The man who has been the face of Leaf Trading Cards for the past 13 years is stepping down. Brian Gray, who owns the Texas-based trading card maker, says he is resigning as CEO effective immediately. A 30-year industry veteran, Gray posted on social media late Friday that his hand-picked successor will be named “very soon.” “This has been a long race. For the first … [Read more...] about Brian Gray Exits as CEO of Leaf Trading Cards
Brian Gray
Fast Growing Pickleball Is About to Get a Card Set
It was inevitable that the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. would have a trading card set. We’re talking about pickleball, the sport that combines tennis, badminton and Ping-Pong and uses a flat paddle and a plastic, perforated ball. The sport was invented in 1965 in Bainbridge Island, WA, but gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic because it allowed players to … [Read more...] about Fast Growing Pickleball Is About to Get a Card Set
Incomplete: Leaf Suing Cowboys Receiver Cee Dee Lamb Over Autographs
Leaf Trading Cards has filed suit against Dallas Cowboys receiver Cee Dee Lamb over what it claims is the breach of autographed trading card deal. Attorneys for the Dallas based trading card maker say Lamb didn't fulfill a signed agreement to sign cards for the company, leaving the company "unable to fulfill orders from customers who had received redemption cards that would … [Read more...] about Incomplete: Leaf Suing Cowboys Receiver Cee Dee Lamb Over Autographs
Prepare to Pivot: Leaf’s Gray Offers Message to Industry in Wake of New Trading Card Player
After a few days of generally positive vibes, the 2021 Industry Summit came to a close Wednesday with one trading card company chief addressing the elephant in the room. Leaf doesn’t have a major sports trading card license, but in light of the new deals Fanatics has reportedly made to essentially take control of the major contracts, company president Brian Gray is feeling … [Read more...] about Prepare to Pivot: Leaf’s Gray Offers Message to Industry in Wake of New Trading Card Player
Leaf’s Gray Says Card Companies Must Be Allies In Wake of Fanatics Deal
It will be up to the existing sports card companies to be creative, be allies and redefine themselves. That was just one of the themes expressed by one of the hobby's independent trading card makers in the wake of the bombshell news that Fanatics was working on deals to acquire the bulk of the licensed sports card manufacturing business. Leaf Trading Cards CEO Brian Gray, … [Read more...] about Leaf’s Gray Says Card Companies Must Be Allies In Wake of Fanatics Deal
News & Notes: Beckett Opens Asian Office; Broncos Card Giveaway, Tennis Anyone? And…Um…Something Else
Beckett Grading Services is opening a new office in Asia. The company says it’s hired an Asia Regional Sales Manager (now that’s a big territory) to oversee things. He’ll be based in Seoul, South Korea. Dongwood Lee has already started his new job after covering the sports card market for a magazine in South Korea. Beckett says “Lee will be in contact with the many … [Read more...] about News & Notes: Beckett Opens Asian Office; Broncos Card Giveaway, Tennis Anyone? And…Um…Something Else
Leaf Serves Up 1/1 Sketch Cards, Sticker Autographs in 2013 Masterworks
Leaf Trading Cards has kept artists busy lately and the results are now for sale. 2013 Leaf Masterworks, a new art/autograph trading card set was released on Wednesday, with each card a one-of-a-kind. Each pack contains three sketch/painting cards and every card features a sticker autograph of the depicted player. Each card is delivered inside a magnetic one-touch … [Read more...] about Leaf Serves Up 1/1 Sketch Cards, Sticker Autographs in 2013 Masterworks
Editor’s Blog: $15 Cracker Jack Find Sells for $46K; New Card Shop Opens; Leaf’s New Hire
Remember that near set of 1915 Cracker Jack cards that we wrote about last month? Found in a Kansas farm auction in 1979, the cards stayed with the couple who uncovered them inside an old board game until just a few weeks ago. Now living in the state of Washington, they consigned them to a local auction house. Word got out and Tuesday night, the collection of primarily low … [Read more...] about Editor’s Blog: $15 Cracker Jack Find Sells for $46K; New Card Shop Opens; Leaf’s New Hire
Rich Klein’s Ramblings: Once Popular Sport Not Made for Card Collecting
by Rich Klein Last week I spent a fun filled "day off" having several doctor's appointments, with the final one being a trip to the dentist. Now, to me the best part of this dentist's office is that each room has a cable TV for the patients’ convenience. Usually, whatever network talk show is the preferred option, but for me, there is always usually something sports wise I … [Read more...] about Rich Klein’s Ramblings: Once Popular Sport Not Made for Card Collecting
Leaf Says Damian Lillard Autograph Pact ‘One of Richest Rookie Deals Ever’
Leaf Trading Cards has officially announced what collectors had observed; an exclusive multi- year trading card autograph and memorabilia autograph deal with Portland Trailblazers rookie standout, Damian Lillard. According to Leaf, the recently signed contract ranks among one of the richest rookie exclusive memorabilia contracts in the history of the NBA. Lillard is the … [Read more...] about Leaf Says Damian Lillard Autograph Pact ‘One of Richest Rookie Deals Ever’