In the kaleidoscopic world of sports, collecting memorabilia has erupted beyond the confines of mere cards, weaving a rich tapestry of history, personality, and culture that’s turning heads as fast as it’s breaking records. What once was a simple pastime of cracking packs of cards has matured into a vibrant, multi-layered ecosystem. It’s a landscape where pieces of sports history—from game-worn jerseys to home run balls that soared under stadium lights—are prized not just for their monetary value but for the narratives they carry.
The pandemic ushered many into this nostalgic universe, as empty calendars led people to revisit old childhood boxes of trading cards. It was a time when finding a pack on a store shelf was as rare as landing a 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie. Almost overnight, the sports collecting industry surged, with eBay reporting a staggering $2 billion in card sales within six months of 2021.
Yet, the evolution didn’t halt at glossy pieces of cardboard. By 2025, the market for sports collectibles has expanded into a world where game-used items are not just fetching high prices but also igniting imaginations. Every piece tells a story. For instance, Babe Ruth’s ‘Called Shot’ jersey, which screamed into the record books at $24 million, isn’t just fabric; it’s a thread connecting fans to that legendary point and home run of 1932.
Longtime hobby expert and current executive at Heritage Auctions, Joe Orlando, offers insight into this phenomenon. “This isn’t just a passing phase,” he says. The initial rush during the pandemic was no fluke; rather, it’s evolved. Many who rediscovered sports collecting have become permanent fixtures, drawn to a deeper, richer community facilitated by modern digital tools like eBay Live. This platform transforms collectors from solitary hobbyists into a connected hive, buzzing with the energy of young icons such as Shohei Ohtani, Victor Wembanyama, and Caitlin Clark.
Bid prices for items like Ohtani’s milestone balls are skyrocketing—one fetching $4.4 million—but it’s not merely about the financial aspect. There’s a profound interest in the items that have borne witness to legendary feats. As Orlando notes, “These are the items that made history,” and therefore, people feel a more compelling attachment to them than to something that was merely designed to be collected.
Looming large in the market are also the long-standing athletic leviathans like Ruth, Mantle, and Jordan, their legacies ensuring they stay etched atop the value charts. Simultaneously, new athletes are etching their stories into the collector’s market. Caitlin Clark shattering WNBA card records with a $234,850 card sale and Paul Skenes’ rookie card stealing the limelight at $1.11 million before his salary matched it, demonstrate this current dynamic.
As intriguing as these million-dollar diagonals might be, practicality in the hobby is essential. Not every set is destined for a moonshot—and understanding this is crucial for both seasoned and budding collectors. For this reason, Orlando advises collectors to buy what they love. “Buy the best quality you can afford, and make sure what you buy continues to inspire you over time.”
While the industry might seduce with tales of staggering sales and new-world bounty, the real gold lies in the stories and connections each item nurtures. What began as a hunt through childhood memories has metamorphosed into a finely honed lifestyle, where stories of greatness are collected, shared, and sometimes handed down.
From card aficionados pursuing the thrill of rookie ‘rainbows’ to the fan seeking a cherished signed ball, the sports memorabilia world in 2025 welcomes everyone with open arms and open dialogs. Each piece is a yarn in the greater tapestry of sporting marvel—proof positive that collectibles are far more than investments or dusted relics from a time gone by. They are the fingerprint of history, an homage to achievements that fans hold dear, transcending mere dollars and cents.
Sports collecting might have started in shoeboxes, but as it stands now, it’s a boundless universe—where not only the past is revered but where new stories are constantly being inscribed. Now is an intriguing time to either dip a toe or plunge headfirst into the hobby, as the stories waiting to be collected are as endless as a sports fan’s passion.
