This category will focus on the sale of items related to the sports memorabilia industry, which are collectibles associated with sports, including sports cards, autographs, photographs, trophies, and equipment.
There are two primary focuses of sports memorabilia collectors: autographed cards and tickets, and used sports clothing and equipment. Signed cards and tickets are considered best when in pristine condition, while used uniforms are more desirable when they are unwashed, as stains from dirt, grass, sweat, and blood add value to the item.
Unique items are also collectible, such as floorboards of chairs from stadiums. Lapel pins from the Olympic Games are also collectible.
The industry is a multibillion-dollar market, with a large range of products and sellers catering to collectors.
Popular items in the sports memorabilia market include autographed jerseys, baseballs, footballs, and basketballs, as well as game-used equipment such as bats, gloves, and helmets. These items are sought after by collectors and fans, who often seek out rare and unique pieces to add to their collections. For example, a baseball jersey worn by Babe Ruth during his "called shot" in the 1932 World Series game sold for $24.12 million in 2024.
Sports memorabilia items are also considered good investments by collectors, as prices grow rapidly.
Trading cards, such as baseball cards, have long been popular collectibles. Those featuring rookie players, limited editions, or those in mint condition are particularly valuable.
As might be expected, fraud in the sports memorabilia market is a significant issue. The US Customs and Border Protection has seized fake Super Bowl, World Series, and NBA championship rings, and a man in New Jersey was arrested for selling fake Super Bowl rings that he claimed were connected to Tom Brady. The FBI's Operation Bullpen, which targeted a large forgery ring, revealed that over half of the most sought-after athletes' autographed memorabilia is forged.
The prevalence of fraud has led to a lack of trust among collectors, illustrating the importance of doing thorough research and using trusted authenticators.
While we cannot specifically vouch for the merchants or sellers listed below, sellers who are currently well-regarded in the industry include Fanatics Authentic, Leland's, Press Pass Collectibles, Sports Integrity, Steiner Sports, and Total Sports Enterprises.
In addition to these major players, there are several smaller, specialty shops and online retailers that focus on specific sports or teams.
Please do due diligence in researching any seller that you are considering purchasing from. By purchasing from reputable merchants, collectors can ensure the authenticity and value of their collections.
The sports memorabilia industry has implemented various measures to ensure the authenticity and integrity of sports memorabilia, including third-party authentication services and certification programs. These services, such as PSA/DNA and James Spence Authentication, verify the authenticity of autographs and other memorabilia.
Recommended Resources
DNA Card is the sales arm of PSA Card, offering for purchase sealed boxes from hobby to retail, graded cards, individual card in value boxes, as well as other memorabilia. They carry a wide range of supplies, from Zion cases to cardboard boxes, to sleeves and top loaders, and other items. They also feature live breaks, monthly trade nights, and a loyalty program for regular customers. They carry sports and non-sports memorabilia, and host events and shows.
https://dnacardsandcollectibles.com/
The digital sports platform offers a collection of autographed and game-used items, promising to provide only the most authentic and high-quality sports collectibles, ensuring that each piece is licensed by all major sports leagues, player associations, and universities. Fanatics also has exclusive autograph relationships with several of the superstars in sports. Shoppers can browse by league or sport, game-used items, trading cards, players, exclusives, and sale items.
https://www.fanaticsauthentic.com/
James D. Spence began collecting in the 1930s and 1940s, becoming a reputable dealer in the 1980s, founding JSA in 2005. JSA has accumulated a database of nearly 700,000 files used by autograph authenticators to accurately asses autographs submitted for authentication, and the company's experts regularly visit auction houses, trade shows, and conventions to research the veracity of autographs. The process is outlined, along with other services, events, and fees.
https://www.spenceloa.com/
Leland's is an auction house specializing in sports memorabilia and cards. They have been in business since 1985, and are known for auctioning some of the most significant pieces in sports history. Leland's offers a wide range of services for those looking to buy or sell, including auctions, appraisals, and consignments. An introduction to the company and its experts is provided, along with notices of current and past auctions, bidding rules, and contact information.
https://lelands.com/
Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, Press Pass Collectibles is a well-known memorabilia company offering a range of autographed items from athletes and celebrities. They provide exclusive signed collectibles through private signings and major events, and carry an inventory that includes signed jerseys, footballs, photographs, and trading cards. All autographed items come with a certificate of authenticity. Testimonials are provided, and an affiliate program is available.
https://presspasscollectibles.com/
Professional Sports Authenticator
PSA Card is the largest third-party trading card authenticator and grading company. Offering a range of services, including card grading, autograph authentication, and appraisals. Its grading standards, a list of items that it grades, and its PSA-graded confirmation of validity program are highlighted, along with grading special, a price guide, a dealer directory, and a discussion forum. Its guarantee, terms and conditions, and support services are included.
https://www.psacard.com/
The company began in 1989 as Mabel's Kitchen, a catalog featuring apparel, gifts, and other merchandise related to the state of Kansas and its surrounding area. Mabel's Kitchen evolved into Kansas Sampler, which sold branded sports apparel. In the late 2000s, it expanded into what is now known as Rally House, which specializes in the sale of licensed sports apparel, including the NFL, MLB, NCAA College, NHL, NBA, Soccer, and other teams and local stuff, such as jerseys and hats.
https://www.rallyhouse.com/
Offering more than five hundred thousand authenticated items from the National Football League, NCAA Football and Basketball, Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League, the PGA Tour, and other major sports leagues, organizations, and players. Available items may be found through a keyword search or by browsing by league, item, or the athlete's name. Gift cards are available. Also included is an informational blog.
https://www.sportscollectibles.com/
The online source of authentic sports memorabilia carries more than five hundred thousand authentic products from nearly every professional sports league, team, and player, each coming with a certificate of authenticity. Free shipping within the United States is available on orders over $49. Its catalog can be browsed by the sport or by the type of memorabilia (jerseys, photos, trading cards, game-used, display cases, and so on), or by the brand of trading card, such as Upper Deck.
https://www.sportsmemorabilia.com/
Specializing in authentic hand-signed collectibles, Steiner Sports has spent decades building relationships with athletes, national relationships with the major sports leagues, and partnerships with the best teams in sports. Included are signed baseballs, signed jerseys, and other MLB memorabilia, as well as signed helmets, jerseys, and footballs from NFL players, and similar items from other major sports leagues. Its products are sorted into various categories.
https://www.steinersports.com/
TSE is a Pittsburgh company specializing in sports memorabilia and collectibles. The company offers a wide range of signed items from various sports, including baseball, football, and hockey, each with 100% authentic autographs and guarantees to the authenticity of their items. They also host signings and special promotions from time to time. Categories for Signings, Steelers, Penguins, Pirates, Discounts, Mystery Boxes, Gift Guides, and gift cards are featured.
https://tseshop.com/
The Upper Deck Company is a private company known for producing trading cards. On its site, the company offers a variety of products for purchase, including trading cards, autographed jerseys, and other memorabilia. The company is known for its innovation, such as the use of holograms to protect cards from counterfeiting, and it also offers personalized trading cards, allowing sports fans to create their own Upper Deck playing cards. The history of trading cards is told here.
http://www.upperdeck.com/
