It’s not the last Cavs jersey he will ever wear—but might be one of the last. LeBron James’ jersey from Cleveland’s loss in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals sold for $39,575 Thursday night. Eighty-three bids were entered in the auction, which began July 3. James recorded a double-double in the May 23 loss at TD Garden. While not exactly … [Read more...]
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Harper’s Derby-Winning Ball Already on Auction; Topps NOW Autos Go Fast
The ball hit by Bryce Harper to clinch the 2018 Home Run Derby was on the auction block not long after it settled back to earth. MLB Auctions had the authenticated red and white ball on the block just after Harper hit his 19th homer in a dual with Kyle Schwarber Monday night. By Tuesday afternoon, bidding had surpassed $2,000. A second ball hit by Harper during … [Read more...]
Topps Releases Early Print Runs on Home Run Challenge Winners
Picking a date on which a big leaguer homers proved to be child's play for collectors and fans during the start of the 2018 season. Topps says there were nearly 700 winners in the first month of its Home Run Challenge game. Challenge contest cards are random inserts inside 2018 Topps baseball packs and allow fans and collectors the chance to win an exclusive card … [Read more...]
Topps Signs David Ortiz as Spokesman, “Lead Scout”
Topps has signed David Ortiz to an endorsement deal that will include a new role as “head scout” for the Topps NOW program. According to Topps, Ortiz will work with the company to select “the best moments of the Major League Baseball season and support Topps’ initiatives throughout the year, including National Baseball Card Day.” “The TOPPS NOW program is fun to work on … [Read more...]
Notes: PSA Still Busy; Topps NOW Piscotty Card Helps ALS Charity; Smith’s Stuff Recovered by Cops
Trading card and autograph service revenues at Collector’s Universe, the parent company of PSA and PSA/DNA, increased by $1 million, or 23%, in this year’s third quarter and $2.2 million, or 17% over the last nine months, representing record revenues. At the close of Q3, PSA's total revenue was approximately $15.2 million for the fiscal year versus $13 million during the … [Read more...]
Topps NOW Moment of the Week Launches
Topps has added a new element to its on-demand Topps NOW trading card platform. The company has announced plans for a Topps NOW Moment of the Week in which collectors can “vote” for their favorite baseball moment from a group of proposed cards. Votes will equate to purchase commitments, with the winning moment/card selected after a seven day period beginning each … [Read more...]
Topps NOW Season Opens with 10 Cards Including Ohtani in English, Japanese
MLB's official trading card partner launched its third season of TOPPS NOW on Friday with ten cards created from Opening Day. Two of those featured the first American base hit for Japanese rookie Shohei Ohtani--one version in English and a second in Japanese. It's the first time a NOW card has been offered in Japanese but it's not likely to be the last. "We plan to make … [Read more...]
Topps Pondering Company Split, Sale?
The private equity owners of The Topps Company are looking at options for selling to a new buyer, according to a Bloomberg report. The story, published early Monday evening quoted sources "with knowledge of the matter" as saying executives have been meeting with bankers about "strategic options" for Topps, which was founded in 1938. According to Bloomberg's source, one … [Read more...]
Topps NOW Named to Top Sports Marketer List
Topps NOW has been named one of NY Sports Journalism’s Top 10 Sports Marketers of the Year. The on-demand trading card platform launched in 2017 allows collectors and fans to order sports cards that commemorate milestones and moments. The cards are created, sold and delivered in a short period of time. NOW cards are offered online for 24 hours and Topps … [Read more...]
Notes: Where’s the ’93 Bills Comeback Ball?; Topps Throwbacks; NOW Stats
Wednesday marked the anniversary of the NFL’s greatest playoff comeback when the 1993 Buffalo Bills rallied to beat the Houston Oilers 41-38 after being down 35-3. The winning score came on a 32-yard field goal by Steve Christie as time ran out. The ball sailed into the stands and presumably into the arms of a fan. It’s a valuable piece of NFL history—and … [Read more...]
