Life and Leisure

Collecting sports memorabilia has become big business. Research shows the global sports memorabilia industry could be valued at more than $270 billion by 2034.^{Disclosure 1} And Sotheby’s Auction House says sports is one of its fastest growing categories. In 2024, the company officially launched a “Sports Week” featuring auctions of rare trading cards valued at over $100,000.^{Disclosure 2}

While owning a piece of sports history is potentially lucrative—imagine owning the Babe Ruth jersey that sold for over $24 million in 2024^{Disclosure 1} —many collectors do it simply for the fun and nostalgia of it. You may decide to buy sports memorabilia because it’s a joy you share with a loved one or for the memories it recalls. Or, you may decide to go purely for potential profit. But chances are you fall somewhere in between—with a love of a sport and a hope of buying an item that will appreciate over time..

If you’re interested in entering the collectibles game, you should treat sports memorabilia like any other high-value asset: buy with a purpose, verify the authenticity and condition, document provenance, and protect the collection so your passion can be sustained and passed on. These tips can help you retain the value of your collectible for as long as possible.

In the arena of collecting sports memorabilia, ensuring you’re buying genuine items is imperative. The way to do this is to collect authenticated and graded items.

• Authentication is the process of verifying the originality or genuineness of an item.
• Grading is assessing the quality and condition of an item, typically a trading card but also autographs, photographs, and event tickets. Grading is widespread: In 2025, 26.8 million trading cards were graded (up 32% from 2024).^{Disclosure 4}

Grading can only take place after an item has been proven authentic. While grading isn’t an appraisal, it can support a more accurate value estimate.

Reputable sellers typically offer items that are already authenticated and graded, often sealed in protective cases. They also provide a certificate of authenticity or a tamper‑proof tag, sticker, or hologram to verify the item.

If you have an item that isn’t authenticated or graded—say you inherited a box of your grandfather’s old baseball cards or have an original signed ball from a college football bowl game—getting them legitimized isn’t difficult. Look for a respected third-party service, such as Professional Sports Authenticator, Beckett Authentication Services, or JSA, to start the process.

And finally, hold onto documentation about your item. Document the purchase date and price; keep photos, certificates, and receipts; and maintain authenticity documents, appraisals, and provenance records. Keeping detailed records is crucial when deciding to sell, donate, or pass down your collection with confidence. 

Sports memorabilia, like most collectibles, is illiquid. It can’t be quickly converted to cash and may take a fair amount of time to sell. When you do sell, the proceeds are taxed as ordinary income at your marginal federal tax rate or at up to a 28% capital gains rate if you’ve held them for more than a year.^{Disclosure 6}

Like all investments, there’s risk involved with sports collectibles. If they’re rare, old, or sought after by other collectors, they may appreciate—but it isn't a guarantee. It’s possible that you’ll never see a return, especially if you factor in the cost of restoration, storage, and insurance over the years.

Before making a significant addition to your collection, talk with your Wealth advisor to get a view of your whole portfolio and guidance on whether the investment fits with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

Whether or not your collection pays off over time, the joy of having invested in something that matters to you may be enough to resonate for generations.