Ralph Lauren spent millions to outfit Team USA for the 2024 Summer Olympics, but the hottest item in Paris is the Snoop Dogg pin the rapper-turned-NBC-commentator has been handing out to select athletes.
Last week, cllct was first to report the pin was made by Snoop's team, but wasn't meant to hit retail. His image puffing out the Olympic rings surely wouldn't have been licensed by the International Olympic Committee.
But that doesn't mean an illicit trade hasn't followed.
One seller on eBay, prologic8, has sold 75 pins that promise to look Snoop's original. Ship date is August 31.
Instagram ads have been popping up everywhere. One business, Team Spirit Pins, which says it is based in Detroit, has been the most aggressive. Its ads have offered a pin for $29.95 or a keychain with the image on it for $34.95. A consumer who orders 10 pieces gets 60 percent off.
A vendor on Etsy, EverythingCUL, figures people might like the Snoop image, but might not want to spend that much. The vendor has sold 20 stickers that come in either 2x2 ($4.99) or 4x4 ($6.99) size.
Since Snoop gave a pin to U.S. flag-bearer Coco Gauff, athletes have seemingly been chasing around the rapper for a pin, but most have come up empty.
When asked about the details behind his pin stash, Snoop told USA Today earlier this week, that he didn't have an answer.
Not satisfied, the get-rich quick businesses and hot market lovers have made and have pounced on the unofficial ones.
Darren Rovell is the founder of cllct.com and one of the country's leading reporters on the collectibles market. He previously worked for ESPN, CNBC and The Action Network.