What is the most sought after sports memorabilia?

Collecting sports memorabilia is a passion for many enthusiasts who seek to own a piece of history from their favorite athletes and memorable moments. These items are cherished not only for their rarity and value but also for their connection to iconic figures and significant events in sports history. Below are some of the most sought-after sports memorabilia across four major sports categories.

1) Baseball

• Worn during his first season with the New York Yankees, this jersey symbolizes Ruth's transformation from a standout pitcher with the Boston Red Sox to an iconic slugger with the Yankees. It sold for $5.64 million in 2019, making it one of the most expensive sports memorabilia items ever. Ruth's impact on baseball and American culture cannot be overstated, making this jersey a prized possession for any collector.

Honus Wagner T206 Baseball Card

• Produced between 1909 and 1911, the T206 Honus Wagner card is one of the rarest and most famous baseball cards. Known as the "Holy Grail" of baseball cards, it is highly sought after due to its scarcity and the legendary status of Wagner. A PSA 9 "Mint" condition card sold for $7.25 million in 2021. Wagner, a Hall of Famer, is considered one of the greatest shortstops in baseball history, adding to the card’s allure.

Mickey Mantle's 1952 Topps Baseball Card

• This card is highly prized among collectors for its historical significance and Mantle's legendary career with the New York Yankees. A mint condition card sold for $12.6 million in 2022. Mantle is remembered for his incredible power and speed, and this card, from one of the most iconic sets in baseball card history, is a testament to his enduring legacy.

Jackie Robinson's Signed Contracts

• An SEC filing reveals that after Kontilai and his company obtained the Robinson contracts, they promoted these as a significant asset to potential investors, claiming they had been valued at $36 million.

  Between 2014 and 2018, Kontilai and his company raised $21 million through shares and an additional $2 million via notes, as per the SEC. Federal authorities allege that Kontilai misled investors about both the value of the Robinson contracts and his ownership interest to secure these funds.

  At least two investors were informed that their investments were backed by the appraised value of the Robinson contracts. However, court records indicate that Kontilai was aware the contracts were actually worth less than $10 million, which would still have made them the highest-priced sports memorabilia ever sold at that time.

Mark McGwire's 70th Home Run Ball (1998)

• This baseball, hit during McGwire's record-breaking 1998 season, sold for $3 million in 1999. The home run was part of a historic chase with Sammy Sosa to break Roger Maris's single-season home run record. Despite later controversies, the ball represents a moment of significant excitement and attention in baseball history.

2) American Football

Tom Brady's 2001 Super Bowl XXXVI Game-Worn Jersey

• Worn during his first Super Bowl victory, this jersey represents the beginning of Tom Brady's legendary career. It symbolizes the start of the New England Patriots' dynasty and sold for $480,000 in 2022 (January). Brady’s status as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time makes this jersey highly valuable.

Joe Montana’s No. 16 jersey, worn in both Super Bowl XIX and Super Bowl XXIII

• A Joe Montana Super Bowl jersey recently fetched over $1.2 million at auction, shattering the previous record for football memorabilia, which was held by a Tom Brady item. The jersey, worn by Montana during one of his iconic Super Bowl appearances, drew significant interest from collectors and football enthusiasts alike. This sale underscores Montana's enduring legacy and the high regard in which his career is held.
  The jersey's final price surpassed expectations, highlighting the significant value placed on sports memorabilia, especially items associated with legendary figures like Montana. The previous record, set by a Tom Brady jersey, had stood as a benchmark in the sports memorabilia market, reflecting Brady's contemporary influence on the sport. However, Montana's historic achievements and timeless appeal ultimately commanded an even higher premium.
  This record-breaking sale not only cements Joe Montana's status in the annals of football history but also illustrates the robust market for rare and significant sports artifacts. Collectors continue to show a willingness to pay top dollar for pieces of sports history, particularly those linked to the greatest players and moments in the game.

Joe Namath's Super Bowl III Game-Worn Jersey

• Namath wore this jersey when he famously guaranteed and delivered an upset victory for the New York Jets over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. The jersey is a symbol of one of the most memorable moments in NFL history and is valued at almost $120,000 (July 22, 2020).

Johnny Unitas 1970 Baltimore Colts Super Bowl V Championship Ring

• At the recent Super Bowl auction, more than $540,000 worth of memorabilia associated with former Baltimore Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas found new owners. Among the highlights were Unitas’s 1970 Super Bowl V Championship ring, which fetched over $258,000, and his 1958 14K gold championship ring, sold for more than $150,000.
  In a heartfelt statement, Unitas’s family reflected on his remarkable life and career. They emphasized his deep appreciation for loyal Baltimore Colts fans and the impact of his contributions both on and off the field. Some of the items will remain within the Unitas family, while others were generously donated for public viewing, with proceeds benefiting NFL Auction charities.
  Known as “The Golden Arm,” Johnny Unitas played for the Baltimore Colts from 1956 to 1972. His accolades include NFL championships in 1958 and 1959, as well as leading the Colts to victory in Super Bowl V against the Dallas Cowboys in 1971. He was also a three-time league MVP and was rightfully inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.

Walter Payton's Game-Worn Jersey

• Known as "Sweetness," Walter Payton's game-worn jerseys are highly valued. Payton, one of the greatest running backs in NFL history, left a lasting legacy with his incredible skill and sportsmanship. A game-worn jersey from his career can fetch over $100,000 at auction.

3) Basketball

Michael Jordan's 1997-98 "Last Dance" Jersey

• This jersey, worn during Jordan's final season with the Chicago Bulls, symbolizes the end of an era. The 1997-98 season, chronicled in the documentary "The Last Dance," saw Jordan lead the Bulls to their sixth NBA championship. The jersey sold for $10.1 million in 2022, reflecting Jordan's unparalleled legacy and the cultural significance of his career.

2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite LeBron James Card

• On April 26, PWCC facilitated a private transaction for a 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Parallel LeBron James card, selling it for an astounding $5.2 million. This sale not only sets a new benchmark for basketball cards but also ties the world record for the highest price ever paid for any sports card.

  This particular LeBron James card is part of a limited print run of 23, correlating with his jersey number. The card, numbered 07/23, boasts a BGS 9 grade with subgrades of 10 for centering and surface, 9.5 for edges, and 8.5 for corners.

  The $5.2 million price matches the amount paid for a PSA 9 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card in January, which was also sold through PWCC in a private sale.

  Previously, the highest price for a basketball card was $4.6 million for the one-of-one 2018-19 Panini National Treasures Rookie Patch Autograph Logoman Luka Doncic card. This record was set less than two months prior, also in a private sale.

  In July 2020, another BGS 9.5 copy of the James Exquisite parallel sold for $1.8 million.

  Additionally, on April 24, a 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite LeBron James Rookie Card fetched $1,722,000 at Goldin Auctions, setting a record for this specific card. This card, graded BGS 9, is the base version numbered 09/99 and features subgrades of 9.5 for centering and edges, 9 for surface, and 8.5 for corners. The autograph received a grade of 10.

Kobe Bryant's 1996-97 Rookie Jersey

• This jersey from Bryant's rookie season sold for $3.69 million in 2021. It is highly valued as it marks the beginning of one of the greatest careers in basketball history. Bryant’s impact on and off the court, his five championships, and his Mamba Mentality have left an indelible mark on the sport, making this jersey a cherished item for collectors.

Original Naismith Basketball Rules

• David Booth, a KU alumnus, and his wife Suzanne acquired the original rules of basketball for $3.8 million at an auction, with additional costs bringing the total to over $4.3 million.

  James Naismith, who invented basketball and was KU’s first basketball coach, originally posted these rules at a YMCA in December 1891. The auction was managed by Sotheby’s and authorized by Ian Naismith, James Naismith’s grandson, who had owned the rules for several years. Ian Naismith mentioned that the auction proceeds would benefit the Naismith International Basketball Foundation, which focuses on promoting sportsmanship and aiding underprivileged youth.

  Dale Seuferling, president of KU Endowment, thanked Booth for his generosity, noting Booth's intention to display the rules at KU. “On behalf of all Jayhawk fans, we thank him for his generosity,” Seuferling said.

  Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little of the University of Kansas emphasized the significance of this acquisition, noting KU's storied basketball history that began with Naismith. “We are eager to collaborate with the Booths on a plan to properly display the rules,” she said. “Thank you, David and Suzanne, for this incredible opportunity to solidify KU and Allen Fieldhouse as the heart of college basketball.”

  KU men’s basketball coach Bill Self praised the Booth family's ongoing generosity towards the University and Kansas Athletics. “David and Suzanne Booth have brought tremendous pride, history, and tradition back to KU by acquiring Naismith’s original rules,” Self remarked. He highlighted the enduring impact of having the rules in Lawrence and expressed deep gratitude for the Booth family's support.

  David Booth is the chairman and CEO of Dimensional Fund Advisors. He and Suzanne Deal Booth live in Austin, Texas. David earned a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1968 and a master’s degree in business in 1969 from KU.

Larry Bird's 1992 Olympic "Dream Team" Game-Used

• This Bird's "Dream Team" Game-Used Jersey from 1992 Olympic Games is valued at $360,000 (May 25, 2023). Bird’s entry into the NBA marked the beginning of a new era for the Boston Celtics and the league as a whole. His rivalry with Magic Johnson and his contributions to the Celtics’ success make this jersey a significant piece of basketball history.

4) Hockey

Wayne Gretzky's 1979 O-Pee-Chee Rookie Card

• Gretzky's rookie card, one of the most coveted in hockey, sold for $3.75 million in 2021. It represents the beginning of the greatest career in hockey history. Gretzky’s records and achievements have set a benchmark in the NHL, and this card is a testament to his unparalleled influence on the sport.

Wayne Gretzky's 1988 Edmonton Oilers Jersey ($1.45 million)

• In 1988, Wayne Gretzky, the legendary hockey player, played his final game with the Edmonton Oilers and celebrated his fourth and last Stanley Cup victory. A mere three months afterward, he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in what became one of the most startling trades in sports history. The auction for his game-worn jersey shattered the previous record of $1.28 million, set by Paul Henderson's jersey. Henderson is a Canadian national hero known for scoring the decisive goal in a historic series against Russia during the peak of the Cold War.

Bobby Orr’s 1970 Stanley Cup Winning Goal Stick

• Used to score the famous goal that won the 1970 Stanley Cup, Orr's stick sold for $91,000 in 2011. The goal, often referred to as "The Goal," is one of the most iconic moments in hockey history. Orr’s career revolutionized the role of defensemen in hockey, and this stick is a cherished artifact of his legacy.

Maurice Richard’s 1951-52 Montreal Canadiens Jersey

• This jersey, worn by "The Rocket" during his illustrious career, is valued at over $200,000. Richard’s scoring prowess and his role in leading the Canadiens to multiple Stanley Cups have cemented his status as a hockey legend. This jersey is a symbol of his remarkable contributions to the sport.

Mario Lemieux’s 1984-85 Rookie Season Jersey

• Lemieux's rookie season jersey sold for over $100,000. It represents the start of a career that would leave an indelible mark on the NHL. Despite battling serious health issues, Lemieux’s talent and perseverance led him to become one of the greatest players in hockey history, making this jersey a highly valued piece of memorabilia.

These items are highly prized not only for their rarity and value but also for their connection to some of the most memorable moments and figures in sports history. They serve as tangible links to the past and are highly prized by collectors and fans alike.