As 2024 comes to a close, cllct is looking back at a year that featured record-breaking auctions, highly coveted chase cards and other trends that took the hobby by storm.
To recap the biggest developments in the hobby, we assembled a panel of industry experts to offer their thoughts on the last 12 months.
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Our five-part series continues with a look at the state of the hobby. (Answers have been lightly edited for brevity and clarity.)
Is the hobby better off today than a year ago?
David Kohler, founder, SCP Auctions:
It's better off today than a year ago. Because you look back at the big sales that are happening in the last 12 months, a record Babe Ruth jersey, the record for the Ohtani ball, we just sold the Freddie Freeman Grand Slam ball for $1.56 million … I think that's going to continue.
I’m really bullish as we go along. It's sports and sports memorabilia. It's not going to change.
Jason Masherah, president, Upper Deck:
Yes, the hobby is better off, because it’s continuing to grow, and younger generations are discovering the fun and excitement in collecting.
The next step in evolution is growing the sense of community so the hobby as a whole doesn’t become completely transactional or based on resale values.
Jesse Gibson, Sports Cards Nonsense:
Unfortunately I feel like the sports card collecting side of the hobby is either about the same or perhaps slightly worse off than we were a year ago — mainly due to the licensing issues between Fanatics and Panini.
I feel Fanatics' exclusive licensing with some of the NBA and NFL's top young talent caused the collector to miss out on chasing their favorite prospect's autographs in their respective Panini products, and vice versa as Panini has also been signing players to exclusive deals.
However, I'm hopeful that this is more of a bump in the road as opposed to a devastating blow. We have an end in sight, as Fanatics will be fully taking over licensing for the NBA in the 2025-26 season and NFL in the 2026 season. On the whole, it does seem as though Fanatics is more in tune than their predecessors with the needs and demands of the hobby.
Ken Goldin, CEO, Goldin Auctions:
I definitely think the hobby is better off in 2024 that in 2023. Without getting into the specifics of our year, I am very happy with what I view as the stability of the current market and the increase of new collectors across the entire spectrum of collectibles from Cards, game-used, memorabilia and pop culture.
Kenneth Thrower, director, CGC video games and home video:
The hobby is in a better place today. After the COVID-era surge and the slower market last year, we’ve seen a strong rebound in submissions and sales this year.
Prices have stabilized, creating a healthier, more sustainable market that’s better for collectors and the hobby overall.
Matt Quinn, vice president, CGC Cards:
Absolutely, the hobby is better and more stable today. We’re seeing a shift back to a collector-focused market, where the rarity and uniqueness of cards — and the rarity of receiving a high grade from a trusted company such as CGC — are driving interest.
Matt Nelson, president, CGC Comics:
The hobby just keeps improving. Collectors today have more tools and information than ever to make smarter decisions about their collections.
That access not only builds confidence, but it also makes the experience of collecting more rewarding and enjoyable.
James Spence III, senior vice president, James Spence Authentication:
I’ve always believed the hobby improves year after year, and this past year has been no exception. The collectibles industry is stronger and safer today, thanks to continuous advancements in authentication and grading.
Collectors can feel more confident as companies refine their skills, adopt cutting-edge technology and develop more sophisticated methods to detect even the most advanced fraudulent items.
Nat Turner, CEO, Collectors:
No doubt. I think prices are much stronger than they were. I remember Q4 last year, it felt like, not the end of the world, but just felt really soft. Then, like Jan. 1 — I remember literally Jan. 1 last year, things started to go up such as grading and secondary prices. Those things usually kind of move in tandem.
Prices are strong, and collectors know there's liquidity for their memorabilia.
Not to toot our own horn, but PSA improved a lot with turnaround times and the eBay vault partnership. We've seen a lot of adoption of that, and I think that's a really good thing for the hobby. And it's not just us. All the auction houses have improved their services this year.
Steve Grad, autograph authenticator:
Personally I think the hobby continues to grow and improve not every year but daily. The sources for news and information continue to grow and expand. Darren Rovell has cllct pumping out information and stories.
Social media continues to evolve with informative YouTube channels and bloggers who offer a unique perspective on a niche parts of the hobby and business. Collectors, dealers and auction houses are all able to stay on top of trends much quicker, and the hobby overall is a better and cleaner place for it.
Mike, Junk Wax Hero on YouTube:
My collection is largely vintage, which is close to the same as it was a year ago.
I think the modern hobby is worse off due to higher prices, and reduced odds of and increased focus on getting a "hit." Most box openings result in disappointment, and it's difficult to sustain that.
James Kehoe, CGCsportsillustrated:
The graded magazine hobby has shown really nice and steady growth for years, and that growth certainly continued in 2024. So, yes, it’s better off today than it was a year ago.
While we didn’t break any all-time sales records for our individual item in 2024, the overall volume and market cap saw very strong growth. Just look at the volume of sales from eBay and the big auctions houses. More graded magazines from other sports and pop culture are being sold than ever before.
The challenge the hobby had in 2024 was the supply finally caught up with demand for modern issues, and that has had a downward effect on pricing.
Paul Lesko, owner, Lesko Law LLC:
The traffic jams getting into The National in Cleveland this year confirm it’s at least the same as last year, if not better.
Cristiano Bierrenbach, partner, Heritage Auctions:
All of the collecting categories keep evolving and improving as we advance. Most people tend to measure the quality of the “hobby” by “current prices." We take a broader look, and it’s clear we are moving in the right direction.
David Hunt, founder, Hunt Auctions:
The overall the hobby is better off now that a year ago for many of the reasons I mentioned in Part 1 regarding the pricing and general market conditions.
Although some entities within the industry did struggle in 2024, and certain areas of the hobby saw price declines, a great many of those could be attributed to self-inflicted reasons.
As with many other industries, companies that operate that present high-quality materials with the highest standards of professionalism generally are not susceptible to adverse effects from isolated portions of the market.
Brian Dwyer, president, Robert Edward Auctions:
The hobby remains in a great place, and from my perspective, it’s better today than it was a year ago, but understandably individual mileage might vary.
We're seeing a tremendous influx of younger collectors entering the hobby. This year’s National was full of younger collectors immersing themselves in the hobby at a serious level. We’ve observed many of them expressing a keen interest in vintage cards as well as modern, which is refreshing to see and a great testament to the timelessness of vintage cards and memorabilia. This is the next generation of collectors so it’s exciting to watch it unfold.
We’re also seeing some great innovation and competition in the hobby, which will certainly give us the opportunity to revisit where these developments stand at this time next year.
Richard Albersheim, owner, Albersheim's:
Yes and no — depending on the segment of collectibles you're asking about. I don't believe you can simply say "yes" or "no" for a blanket statement on the industry as a whole.
Consolidation in the hobby is a good thing, with the shaking out of “fast-buck” collector and dealers. With the “newer” collectors who have stuck around, they are most likely going to be in this for the long haul.
In terms of businesses, auctions are still strong. Authentication in a variety of categories keeps getting better — in particular, photo-matching of game-used items.
What’s not better: the art of the quick flip, breaking wax business and mass produced ultra-modern sales.
Barry Meisel, president and COO, MeiGray:
Yes, the hobby is better off today than a year ago because better work is being done by dealers, promoters and authenticators, and collectors are becoming more informed. The hobby is better for all of this.
Mark Montero, LCG Auctions:
Yes, at least for sports cards. There seems to be a renewed interest following a bit of a down period for many cards.
Pop culture, particularly vintage toys, has steadily trended upward since the early 2000s and has gained a very nice following in recent years.
Stephen Lane, Propstore:
Yes, I think it is. The market has reached new heights, supporting a record-breaking volume of auctions and lots, which speaks to its continued growth and enthusiasm.
Despite fierce competition, we’ve had the privilege of presenting some extraordinary auctions and collections to market for the very first time.
Ezra Levine, CEO, Mascot Technologies:
"Better" is always relative and personal, but from my vantage point, the hobby is more sophisticated and technologically advanced than a year ago.
This past year witnessed record-breaking sales, additional reputable journalism outlets covering the space, multiple powerhouse brick-and-mortar and e-commerce brands investing heavily in the category, new ways to leverage AI, new ways to digitally discover inventory and more platforms on which to buy and sell seamlessly.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct.