"The first deal consisted of a 3-for-1 exchange, with an additional couple of hundred dollars to sweeten the deal or a straight purchase for $460. As the vendor looked through his phone for the value of the cards he asked for, Petikyan told him he'll circle back. Instead, the entrepreneur offered it to Eric Mitchel, another booth owner, across the aisle and sold it. A rectangular cardboard collectible with the Super Bowl-winning running back in front of the Philadelphia skyline sold for $300."
"Trading and collecting cards, an industry valued at $14.9 billion in 2024, is estimated to reach $52.1 billion within the next decade, according to Market Decipher report. The sports memorabilia business, as a whole, is estimated to reach a value of $271.2 billion by 2034. E-commerce platforms like Fanatics Live and Whatnot have turned business transactions involving the cards of sports legends into entertainment and helped grow the market."
A collector negotiated over a 2025 Saquon Barkley card at Frank and Son, with competing offers ranging from a 3-for-1 trade plus cash to a $460 purchase; the card ultimately sold for $300 to another vendor. The trading and collecting cards industry was valued at $14.9 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $52.1 billion within the next decade, while the broader sports memorabilia market could hit $271.2 billion by 2034. E-commerce platforms such as Fanatics Live and Whatnot have gamified transactions and expanded the buyer audience. Landmark auction sales, including a one-of-one Jordan-Bryant card that sold for $12.932 million, have pushed valuations higher and attracted mainstream attention.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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