Just released: Our latest Sports Collectibles Market Report!
The UFC has entered into an exclusive multi-year trading card agreement with Fanatics Collectibles, marking the return of Topps to the sport since their previous partnership from 2009-2020. The first product to be launched under this new agreement will be 2024 Topps Chrome UFC, set to be released on February 28. This upcoming set will feature 200 base cards, a variety of color and tech parallels, key insert cards, and two autographs per box from popular UFC names like Sean O’Malley, Alexa Grasso, and Leon Edwards.
Senior Vice President of UFC Global Consumer Products, Tracey Bleczinski, highlighted the unique personalities and historic moments of UFC that fans can celebrate through these trading cards. Fanatics Collectibles CEO, Mike Mahan, also celebrated the partnership, noting the popularity of UFC trading cards among collectors and promising innovative cards featuring new stars. Fanatics plans to bolster this partnership with promotional efforts, including special interviews and live card breaks with UFC athletes on Fanatics Live, further enhancing the existing e-commerce and live-event partnership between UFC and Fanatics Commerce. UFC
Cordillera Investment Partners has successfully raised $62 million for its Whiskey Opportunities Fund, marking the firm's entry into the niche market of buying and aging whiskey barrels as institutional assets. Cordillera aims to capitalize on the underexplored whiskey aging market, offering investors a unique opportunity to diversify their portfolios with non-correlated assets that have potentially compelling potential returns. The "Bourbon Boom" has seen revenues in Bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey grow significantly, highlighting the increasing demand for premium whiskey products.
The Whiskey Opportunities Fund is set to invest in a diverse portfolio of whiskey assets both in the U.S. and internationally, leveraging the steep aging curve in the whiskey industry where aged products fetch significantly higher market prices than new-fill bottles. With the super premium category of whiskey experiencing notable volume growth, Cordillera sees a great opportunity in addressing the capital constraints faced by craft brands and distillers. BUSINESSWIRE
Rally’s first edition copy of ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ received a buyout offer of $132,500 which was accepted by 69.8% of shares. Resulting in a net cash return since last trade of +26.00% and a net cash return since IPO of +68.00%. RALLY
CGC initiated legal action against two defendants that have been accused of re-holdering slabs used on highly valued comic books for ones of significantly lesser quality. Following that, CGC also accuses them of selling these fraudulent slabbed books via several eBay accounts. Get the full story from Hobby lawyer extraordinaire, Paul Lesko’s Twitter(X) thread.
Fanatics/Topps is introducing autographed memorabilia redemption cards in blaster boxes for 2024 Topps Series 1 Baseball, exclusively available on Fanatics’ website ahead of the official release. These $29.99 boxes, which contain nine packs of cards each, offer collectors the chance to find redemption cards that can be exchanged for signed baseball memorabilia from athletes under contract with Fanatics, including items like an autographed Adley Rutschman baseball. SCDAILY
Five companies specializing in sports cards are among the top 21 eBay sellers globally as of early 2024, indicating a continued market interest in sports collectibles on the platform. COMC, DCSportscards, Burbank Sportscards, Greg Morris Cards, and Probstein123 received anywhere between 18,000 and 50,000 feedback ratings in the last 30 days, with COMC achieving the fifth highest selling volume of eBay sellers globally. SCDAILY
Jimi Hendrix’ famous headband, photo-matched to seven performances across 1969-70, is up for sale at Heritage. Current bid sits at $14,500—imputing a realized price of $17,400 if bidding goes no further. HERITAGE
Ronald Perelman is embroiled in a legal battle with a group of insurers over a $410 million claim for damages allegedly sustained by five blue-chip artworks in a 2018 fire at his Hamptons estate. The insurers contest Perelman's claim, alleging the artworks were undamaged and valued at only $103 million, while Perelman insists on the authenticity of his claim, accusing the insurers of bad faith and highlighting their selective use of his statements to avoid payment. ARTNET
A 1884 painting by Vincent van Gogh, stolen from a Netherlands museum in a late-night theft three years ago, will be displayed in March after being anonymously returned with a significant scratch. Art detective Arthur Brand recovered the artwork after receiving it in a crumpled IKEA bag; it is assumed that no one in the criminal underworld willing to sell it due to its high profile and associated risks. ARTNEWS
John Lennon's personal copy of The Beatles' "White Album," identifiable by its serial number 0000006, is up for sale at Heritage with a current bid of $50,000 ($62,500 after fees). This rare stereo pressing, once gifted to his chauffeur and bodyguard, comes complete with original inserts and shows some signs of wear. HERITAGE
PSA will introduce a new blue label for collectibles where only the autograph has been authenticated, differentiating them from items with the red label which indicates full authentication and grading of the item itself. This change aims to clarify for customers exactly what they are purchasing and maintain trust in PSA's services. TWITTER
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