But none of these shops can argue: card collecting is a timeless hobby. Since 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought a rise in baseball card collections. This past year, sports card stores across central Illinois have seen the biggest rise in interest, as well as sales. Although the value of cards changes every day, the constant rise […]
But none of these shops can argue: card collecting is a timeless hobby. Since 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought a rise in baseball card collections. This past year, sports card stores across central Illinois have seen the biggest rise in interest, as well as sales.
Although the value of cards changes every day, the constant rise in purchases of packs, boxes, or slabs continues to grow. The Global Sports Card Trading Market is expecting to surpass 7 million by 2028. “We see people with smiles on their faces daily.”Allen said confidently, “Collecting, I think, will stand the test of time.”Kenny Lamm, owner of Champaign Sports Cards said that he sees people collecting baseball cards for a wide range of reasons. “There’s investing… connecting with people…some people even think it’s a form of art!”“The kind of cool thing is, people have found the passion again,” said Mike Wilcott, a collector himself.DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, or Hank Aaron might have been a card you would have pulled out of a baseball pack 60 years ago. Today, these names are still loved and collected. Over in Champaign at Champaign Sports Cards, Drew Allen is behind the desk ringing customers up with a smile. Allen said the real heart of collecting sports cards lies in the camaraderie. Some people call it nostalgia, others call it strategic marketing.But one thing all collectors are seeing: the baseball card boom is back. “It just amazes me how many more people are getting involved and love it just as much as we do,” said Eric Burk, owner of Burks Sportscards in Decatur. “I think that a lot of people want some type of memory from their past, along with living in today, going forward, or to pass down.”Burk explained, he has customers coming in wanting, “Ohtani… Judge… Ronald Acuna… But then you might have somebody come in asking if we have any Mickey Mantle cards.” Many shops are bringing in a wider audience of collectors, who are excited to collect their own version of “vintage.” Marketing is key, to make the effort to appeal towards a new generation while maintaining the same charm for collectors of 50 years. “The enjoyment for the kids opening up a pack, or the enjoyment of somebody messaging to me later about a card they got…,” said Burk. “Those, are the moments that are timeless.”Copyright 2024. WANDTV. All Rights Reserved.
