Sports collecting has always had a special place in the hearts of fans and enthusiasts alike. However, over the past few years, this cherished pastime has evolved—from a card-centered hobby into a spectacular tapestry of historical memorabilia. It’s now a thriving marketplace where stories and emotions are as important as dollars and cents. Indeed, the line between sports fan and historian has blurred, showing just how multifaceted and layered the hobby has become.
Once a world dominated by baseball cards and shoe boxes filled with Olympians and MVPs, the pandemic sparked a renaissance. It revisited those carefree moments, bringing adults back to moments they cherished as children. This time, though, the stakes were higher, and the prizes more diverse.
During the pandemic, retail shelves struggled to keep packs stocked, and the online world was a frenzy of graders, buyers, and sellers straining digital bridges. eBay reported a jaw-dropping $2 billion in card sales during just the first six months of 2021. The assumption was that this was a temporary spike, a paper wave soon to roll back. But like an unwavering batter at the plate, the collectors didn’t just stick around—they adapted and deepened their connections to the world of sports memorabilia in ways few imagined.
“There was a belief this would all taper off,” explains Joe Orlando, a long-time advocate of the hobby and an executive at Heritage Auctions. “Yet what we’ve seen is a dedicated base that found a deeper passion and stayed. This growth and commitment are certainly good news for the field.”
Thanks to community tools like eBay Live and the star power of athletes like Shohei Ohtani, Victor Wembanyama, and Caitlin Clark, collecting has shifted. It’s not just a race for rare cards; it’s about personal connections, storytelling, and a shared love that transcends generations.
In an era where digital collectibles and NFTs have become commonplace, it’s ironic yet delightful that there’s a booming interest in physical items with corporeal roots in history—game-worn jerseys, match-used balls, bats stained with the dust of games past. It’s these items that ignite narratives, leaving collectors wishing to cradle a moment in sports history that is tactile, real, and story-laden.
“These aren’t just replicas or mass-produced after-the-fact collectibles,” Joe Orlando enthuses. “They’re the very pieces of history itself, and they carry with them an emotional weight that mere numbers can’t quantify.”
Take, for example, Babe Ruth’s 1932 ‘Called Shot’ jersey, which attracted a world record $24 million at auction. Or consider Roger Maris’ 1961 game-used uniform, fetching a handsome $1.58 million, or Shohei Ohtani’s baseball from a record season, commanding $4.4 million. These are more than mere objects—they’re relics, each steeped in the sagas of sport.
It’s undeniable that legends like Ruth, Mantle, and Jordan still rule the roost when it comes to long-term value. They’re the sturdy foundation upon which the house of sports memorabilia is built. Yet, in today’s dynamic world, new stars are emerging, creating their own legends and drawing in a whole new generation of collectors.
For instance, Caitlin Clark shattered the WNBA card ceiling with a sale topping $234,850, while Paul Skenes’ rookie card hit $1.11 million even before he earned that on the field. Formula 1 is also accelerating into the spotlight, with year-on-year growth numbers that have turned heads on eBay platforms around the world.
Yet, while some of the market’s winds propel objects to dizzying monetary heights, not all players or items end up enshrined in the golden pantheon of collectibles—nor should they. As vibrant and dynamic as the scene is, Orlando advises maintaining a sense of balance, encouraging enthusiasts to focus on the joy of collecting rather than getting caught up in speculation.
“Honestly, not every piece is destined for stratospheric heights,” Orlando notes. “Chasing today’s trends or hype can lead down a path of regret. What matters more is that personal satisfaction, the spark that comes from holding a piece you love.”
In essence, sports collecting in 2025 is a heartfelt dive into passions and connections. Whether it’s through the evocative fabric of a worn jersey or the swing of a home run bat, these artifacts tell stories that resonate, connecting us to legends and narrative arcs that span decades. The hobby proves itself not just about monetary value or temporary trends, but about a narrative tapestry that interweaves the past with the present, creating a rich cultural legacy for the future. Collecting isn’t just what we do—it’s who we are, a testament to the love of the sport and the stories that define our highs and lows, heroes, and heroes-to-be. So whether you’re a rookie collector or a veteran on the memorably beat, there’s something undeniably thrilling waiting to be discovered.
