Loupe Tech, Inc., the live e-commerce streaming platform built for sports card collectors, has closed a $12 million Series A round of fundraising, led by Forerunner Ventures, with additional investment by PSA executive chairman and noted card collector Nat Turner, Mint 10, and DJ/producer and Topps artist DJ Skee. The company says it has surpassed initial revenue projections … [Read more...]
Ruth Ball, MJ Jersey Push 3-Day Goldin Tally to $38 Million
Goldin Auctions’ last two major catalog sales have resulted in more than $80 million in sales. The company’s most recent three-day event closed Tuesday night with the last of more than 2,400 items going off the market. With sessions ending April 3, 5 and 6, the auction generated $38.2 million, including a 23 percent buyer’s premium. Topping the final … [Read more...]
Editor’s Blog: Topps Breaks Down Finances; Looks to Future
When Topps announced its decision to combine forces with an acquisition company on Tuesday, the company offered some interesting details on its finances and future plans. In touting the initiatives that led to its current valuation, Topps revealed it make a $92 million profit in 2020—a strange and unexpected time in which the sports card market exploded in the midst of a … [Read more...]
Records for Soccer, Golf Cards at Goldin Auctions
There were plenty of high-end basketball, baseball, football and hockey cards sold at Goldin Auctions over the weekend, but the big news centered on two sports in which trading cards have been traditionally an afterthought. The company sold a 1979 Panini Calciatori Sticker Diego Maradona rookie card graded PSA 10 for $555,960 and a PSA 10 2001 SP Authentic Golf #45 Tiger … [Read more...]
No Rookies, No Autos… No Problem! The Future Belongs to Kylian Mbappé
There is a poison chalice that media and fans can’t help but pass to any gifted young star: “The next…” Before Michael Jordan had ever hinted at a desire to try his hand at minor league baseball, NBA observers were foisting the “next Jordan” label onto every ultra-athletic wing that entered the league. The work of Kobe Bryant and LeBron James put the moniker out to pasture, … [Read more...]
Goldin’s 2-Day Auction Tally Sets Hobby Record
After seeing several more cards reach six-figure prices Sunday night, Goldin Auctions tallied up the two-day total for its Winter Auction. The result was a staggering $45.2 million intake for over 5,000 items—an average of around $9,000 per lot. “Our latest Winter Auction smashed the previous industry record we set in January for the highest-grossing sports collectible … [Read more...]
Panini America Signs David Beckham to Autograph Deal
His playing days ended several years ago and he’s now transitioned into team ownership, but David Beckham still carries plenty of weight in the collectibles market. Now, he’s got a new partnership with Panini America. The company announced it had signed the 45-year-old international superstar to an exclusive, long-term autograph deal. Beckham, who first appeared on … [Read more...]
Goldin Auctions 2-Day Tally Nets $16 Million
A tennis racket used by Roger Federer in the 2011 French Open Final against Rafael Nadal sold for $55,350 late Sunday night as Goldin Auctions wrapped up its dual session October Legends Auction—one that established a new sports memorabilia industry record for total proceeds. In all, the sale of over 1,900 lots brought in over $16 million. The auction’s main headliners … [Read more...]
Jill Ellis Joins Topps Board of Directors as Company Increases Soccer Push
Topps has added two-time world champion soccer coach Jill Ellis to its board of directors. Ellis, who won back-to-back FIFA Women’s World Cup titles as head coach of the United States women’s national team, will be tasked with guiding Topps’ efforts to grow its soccer card business around the world. “As the winningest coach in United States soccer … [Read more...]
Notes: NSCC in 2022; Beckett-Insurance Partnership; Messi Rookie Auction, More
The National Sports Collectors Convention is exploring other options for its 2022 event now that the I-X Center is shutting down, but a lot can change between now and then. The NSCC could opt for moving the show out of Cleveland entirely, but the city owns the facility and will be exploring options in the weeks and months ahead since it’s coming off the tax rolls. … [Read more...]