The Sports Memorabilia Industry Rises Again in the Digital World; Sports NFTs go from trading cards to digital video: Market Decipher

by James · October 25, 2022

PUNE, India, 25 October 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Market decipher has revised its report on “Sports Memorabilia Market Size, Statistics, Growth Trend Analysis and Forecast Report, 2022 – 2032”. The research estimates the sports memorabilia market size to reach a huge 227.2 billion dollars by 2032 from the current size of 26.1 billion dollarsgrowing at a CAGR of 21.8% driven in part by the rise of NFTs, or non-fungible tokens. NFTs are digital collectibles with unique computer-encrypted fingerprints. NFT sports collectibles are individually estimated at 1.4 billion USD now and is predicted to reach 92 billion by 2032.

Get research insights in detail:

“Dramatic increase in interest in collectibles has increased demand for sports memorabilia, which has skyrocketed with digitization (fueled by the Covid outbreak) and easy access to collectibles through legitimate online platforms. Online sales of sports collectibles has resulted in huge potential for companies to consider. NFT sports collectibles are gaining ground and rising rapidly along with physical memorabilia. The chance for fans to acquire licensed digital media of their favorite sports moments is likely to cement non-fungible token’s place in the sports content market. China and India is among the hottest emerging markets in the sports card industry, offering lucrative opportunities for the industry to expand.“

Trending Sports Boost Memorabilia Market

Most sports-related NFT activity in 2022 is likely to occur in sports with large fan bases and revenues, namely football (soccer), basketball, baseball, American football and ice hockey. All sports are likely to have some form of NFT offering over time. These can be to commemorate a single event, be it a Formula 1 driver achieving a record number of world championships or a footballer scoring his hundredth international goal.

Sports memorabilia industry product sales insights

2 Jackie Robinson contracts valued and insured at 36 million dollars
Upper Deck Michael Jordan Rookie Card (one time $18,000) has now sold for $738,000
Rookie LA Angels Mike Trout Draft Chrome Project Card Sold For $900,000
Zion Williamson cards are around $100,000
Wayne Gretzky O-Pee-Chee PSA 10 rookie cards for sale 3.75 million dollarswhich is the highest for a hockey card, in Heritage Auctions, June 2021.
Mia Hamm PSA 10 1992 Sports Illustrated for Kids rookie card sold for $34,400which is the highest for a women’s card, in the Goldin auctions, June 2021.
Luka Doncic Dallas Mavericks rookie card sold for 4.6 million dollars in a private sale, i February 2021.
Mike Trout 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Supervector rookie card sold for $3.93 million, at Goldin Auctions, August 2020.
A Babe Ruth New York Yankees jersey from 1928 to 1930 sold for 5.64 million dollarsin hunting auctions, i June 2019.

Memorabilia Authentications

Memorabilia authentication is the agency that verifies the originality of the collectible and adds credibility to the collectible, thereby increasing its price. Therefore, it is one of the most crucial aspects of the industry. Recognized sports memorabilia authentications include:

Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA)
PSA/DNA Authentication Services (PSA/DNA)
Global Authentication Inc. (GAI)
Beckett Grading Services (BGS)
Sports Card Guarantee (SGC)

Buy the report:

Key statistics

Sports NFT will cross half the value of physical collectibles by 2032
NFTs can provide additional income to sports leagues, teams and individual athletes whose income has decreased during the lockdown. The largest football (soccer) NFT platform enabled 128 million dollars on sale in the first nine months of 2021.
Goldin Auctions has emerged as the largest auction house to double sales in 2021.
Sports memorabilia is part of 412 billion collectibles
Over 60 million collectors are involved in buying/trading sports memorabilia
Trading cards: a dominant segment with almost all collectors involved
Examples of jerseys for sportswear had a market share of 30%
1/3^rd of sales in the United States for the National Football League
California leads the US sports memorabilia industry
Third-party online sellers who compete with licensed sellers
The secondary market has a greater impact on trading cards than other memorabilia
Sports memorabilia clothing holds 1/4^th of the sales revenue