Saturday Nov 07, 2009
The Brill Report: The NFL; Less is Good?
First off, let me thank you the readers for the overwhelming response to last week's column! Wow. We've never had so much response to any column we've ever written and the amazing thing is it ran 9-1 in favor of the position we outlined.
While some of the faithful were a bit surprised the column took a political tone (Meg Whitman former eBay chief running for California governor) they none the less responded and with fervor. A couple of readers were not even hobby folks but rather people who ran across the column for one reason or another and threw in their opinion. The California primaries are next year so we'll have to see where it goes and what the voters do. Oh, by the way, those opinions expressed here were totally that of the author and not Sportsbuy.com. Thought we'd throw that in just for grins.
Now on to this week's topic; The NFL and when the next shoe drops. Any day now we expect to hear something from the football licensors regarding the number of licenses they will have regarding NFL football cards. Will it be down to one? Will there be three as there are now? Will it be only two? Let's delve into a little history.
It was 1989 when Pro Set (the official card of the NFL) came into being with Lud Denny leading the way. He got himself tied to a couple of John's working for the NFL (under the old NFL Properties division) which handled merchandising. Eventually those two John's were fired in disgrace as the NFL allegedly found them dipping into the perverbial cookie jar. Now to this date no one has been convicted and no charges have been filed but there is some good circumstantial evidence basically showing a couple of guys making lots of money on the back end supporting Pro Set, while their bosses were kicking in money to a company heading into bankruptcy. It's not that the owners were clean either but we will leave it at this for the moment.
In a previous column years ago I wrote and got comment from at least three card makers that they basically had their arms twisted to kick back some "extra" product to certain inviduals in return for these licenses. No names were given but the same people were targeted. Only the then-Fleer VP we spoke to called me a "muck raker" for reporting the story. Of course he was the guy who got the license for the then "Official NFL Trading Card; GameDay." Wow! No conflict there, huh?
Well the real life story is the NFL and the NFLPA (the Players Union) were battling each other in court over lots of things and while the owners had lots of money to burn, the players did not. They figured out if they licensed trading cards they could basically finance their lawsuit against the owners. So they did. They gave a license to every Tom, Dick and Wild Card who wanted to print trading cards and the money rolled in.
At one point there were no less than 16 companies making NFL trading cards. Some with only the permission of the NFLPA. Of course as time went on Wild Card, Pro Set, Pinnacle, Collector's Edge and even the Ted Williams Card Company fell by the wayside. Even unique Action Packed was swallowed up by Pinnacle which ended up owning many of those brands. Finally there were only three.
We have Upper Deck, Topps and Donruss/Panini/Leaf et al. Somewhere along the way someone at Upper Deck really ticked off the guys at the NFLPA. One insider told me "The PA loves Donruss and Topps and if the PA decides to go down to just two licenses Richard (McWilliam CEO of UD) will find a big surprise waiting for him."
Well it looks like decision time might be around the corner and Upper Deck keeps losing licenses. They no longer make MLB Trading Cards or NBA Trading Cards. They sort of have an exclusive on NHL trading cards and they make NFL cards, for now. If indeed, in a dwindling market for sportscards, there is a cut it is likely going to be the boys from Carlsbad.
Now don't go feeling sorry for McWilliam and his team. They have worked hard and secured lots of licenses for collegiate sports, NCAA, minor league guys and of course hockey. And they still have exclusive rights to Jordan, Lebron, Sid the Kid and Ovechkin. Not bad, oh and of course the only golfer anyone cares about; Tiger Woods. So it ain't so bad.
The NFL has never allowed players to be exclusive with any one company so while UD has the likes of Favre, Manning and more it's not like those guys can't sign for pay for someone else. Yes it could come down to the fact the company which started the "Hobby" trend by making cards "for collectors" might just be the first one out of the shrine when it comes right down to the big boys and trading cards for 2010 going forward.
(DENVER & THE STEELERS) -- For those of you who know me well you know I'm from Pittsburgh and an avid Steelers, Pirates and Penguins fan. Monday brings my annual trip to Denver where a friend of mine has season tickets for the Bronco's. Each year he invites me to see a game of my choice and the last couple years it has been the Steelers. The guys is a good friend and he puts me up, takes me to dinner and handles my transportation. Really though he loves me to come because I have never gone to a game in Denver the Bronco's lost. I can't stand any team which plays my Steelers and I hate to see them lose. I almost didn't go this year because my Steelers are holding tough in an effort to repeat for the Super Bowl. I can't not go though, so think good thoughts for the Doc (my friend) and my hook up with Stadium Cards owner Mike Fruitman who will be there too. May I go home with a Steeler win under my belt.
(PATTI WAGGIN BOOKS) -- Just an update on my new book "Fan Letters to a Stripper; A Patti Waggin Tale." I'll be doing signings in NorCal shortly. Oakland I'll be at the Uptown Theatre Nov. 16, Chico at the Barns & Knoble Nov. 17, Sacramento's Avid Reader Books on Nov. 18 and at Russo's Books in Bakersfield on Nov. 19. If you are close by please come on out, buy a book and have some fun. I'd love to meet you. Check the website for times and addresses. You can contact Bob at any time at bob.pattiwaggin-AT-gmail-DOT-com
Tags: deck steelers mlb nflpa letters broncos upper baseball donruss denny stadium lud patti sports fruitman company nfl fan ebay topps waggin meg whitman
Tuesday Jun 09, 2009
Krause Announces Collect.com Auctions
Collect.com Auctions, powered by Krause Publications, has launched its inaugural auction on Collect.com that will be closing on June 18. The auction house plans to use its company history and assets to reach the most bidders possible. Marketing power includes the ability to reach 10 unique collectibles markets through 15 print titles and 13 collectibles-related websites, getting in touch with more than 92,000 collectors every day.
First impressions are always important, thus the Collect.com Auctions staffers are tickled about the prospect of rolling out a remarkable complete set of 1898-99 National Copper Plate Portraits being front and center to launch the first auction, which is online now and closes on June 18.
Its rare enough to find one or two of these Copper Plate Portraits or even a handful at auction, but this is the first time that a complete set has ever been offered, said Steve Bloedow, auction director. He could have added that its most likely the only complete set that ever will be offered.
Were there no Copper Plates, there would be plenty of others to step into the spotlight: a side-written 1939-40 Al Simmons bat (MEARS 9.5), a Jack Johnson autograph on a sepia-toned photo or a 61-by-33-inch American flag with signatures from all of the members of the 1980 Olympic Hockey Team, including Coach Herb Brooks.
Babe Ruth is in the house with a single-signed Western League ball and another one-of-a-kind entry, a complete set of Headin Home advertising cards graded between BGS 5 to a killer BGS 8 (shown above).
The initial Collect.com Auctions sale is further enhanced with a half-dozen original paintings from two of the giants in the sports art realm: Charles De Simone and Darryl Vlasak. De Simones amazing 20th Century Baseball Series is represented here by Ernie Banks, Brooks Robinson and Stan Musial, all classically framed; Vlasaks super-realism never looked better than in enormous framed masterpieces of Joe Jackson, Walter Johnson and a combination portrait of Babe Ruth and his HOF manager, Miller Huggins.
Theres plenty for card collectors, including a number of lots of groupings of turn-of-the-century tobacco and candy issues, plus Depression era gum issues rarely offered as complete sets, including a seldom-seen Fatima Team Card near-set of 14, an assortment of 1914 B18 Blankets (including Joe Jackson) and a lot of (21) 1911 T201 Mecca Double Folders.
The complete 64-page auction catalog is inserted along with this issue of Sports Collectors Digest: the catalog includes listings for the first 379 lots in the sale; the remaining auction lots are listed on the following four pages of this issue (pages 19-22).
Tags:
Monday Mar 30, 2009
ThePit.com - Largest IPO Event Ever!
This week April 2, 3, 4 & 5, ThePit.com (A SportsBuy owned site) will be hosting its largest IPO (Initial Player Offering) since acquiring ThePit.com from the Topps Company 3-years ago. Nearly 100 new rookie cards will be added of many of the talented up and coming baseball prospects including Stephen Strasburg, Rick Porcello, Lars Anderson, Matt Wieters, Neftali Feliz, Mike Stanton, Buster Posey & much much more.
Both Base & Autographed Rookie Cards will be added on the top prospects and current young stars such as Tim Lincecum, Clayton Kershaw, Joba Chamberlain, Travis Snider and more.
The event has been extended from 3 days to 4 days, starting with 25 new rookie cards added on Thursday April 2 at 5pm (PST). Approximately 25 additional rookies will then be added each following day on Friday April 3 at 5pm, Saturday April 4 at 3pm and Sunday April 5 at 3pm (PST).
Visit ThePit.com Message Boards to get in on the discussion for this weeks Big Event!
Tags: rookie_cards baseball thepit.com
Thursday Mar 05, 2009
Before there was Manny, there were these greats
Before Manny Mania hit LA the Dodgers have had some pretty good players, many of whom are captured on this unique collectible. It is a baseball signed by 38 Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers including Sandy Koufax, Duke Snider, Don Newcombe, and others. Starting bid is just $500.00, which is a great price. It comes with JSA (James Spence Letter of Authenticity).
Link to the auction.
Sunday Jan 18, 2009
Basketball Rookie Class Rocks ThePit.com
This year's NBA Rookie Class has shown excellent potential. Top picks Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley and OJ Mayo have impressed, while later picks D.J. Augustin and Eric Gordon have exceed most expectations. This week ThePit.com conducted an "IPO" of the top rookies in this year's draft. Years from now, many may recall the 2008-09 clas as one of the greats. Below is the full list of ThePit's IPOs. 2008-09 Topps Chrome Marc Gasol RC If you are confused by this post and aren't a member of the Pit, then go here to see why so many people find it as such a compelling and profitable way to leverage their knowledge of sports.
Tags: rookie_cards basketball
Sunday Oct 26, 2008
These Guys Should Be on ThePit.com
The Wall Street Journal just reported the story of a $1 million fantasy football league run by some of the world's wealthiest financiers.
According to two participants and several business associates of league members, each of its 10 teams pays $100,000 to enter. The winner takes home a grand prize of $600,000, with $300,000 going to the second-place finisher and $100,000 for third place. Participants say the winnings are donated to charity.
Despite its high stakes, the Wall Street League isn't markedly different from any other. The annual draft is usually held at one of the owners' offices on a weeknight, usually right before the NFL season's opening weekend. It begins right after the stock market closes, and there's a strict one-minute time limit for each pick. (One participant says this season's first pick was either San Diego Chargers' running back LaDanian Tomlinson or Philadelphia running back Brian Westbrook). Owners who are out of town at the time participate by teleconference. Those who attend in person bring extensive notes and enter their draft picks on laptops while eating catered sandwiches.
Thanks to an exemption in Internet gaming laws, fans can wager on fantasy football and use the internet to participate in leagues that award prize money. Unlike sports betting or casino-style card games, fantasy sports are considered games of skill rather than games of chance, and are therefore sanctioned by government gaming authorities.
If run-of-the-mill Fantasy Sports participation isn't enough to satisfy your desire to play for real stakes and you aren't invited into the million dollar Wall Street Fantasy League, then you should definitely check out ThePit.com. At ThePit, you use collectibles as a proxy for buying and selling athletic potential. If you pick the right prospects you can make real money. Worst case is you amass a great collection of sports cards. Best case is you quit your day job. Either way you end up having fun.
Monday Oct 20, 2008
ThePit.com New Football IPOs Tuesday 10/21 5pm PST
Tomorrow, 10/21, more football IPOs will be rolled out onto ThePit.com. Headlining this batch will be 2008 Topps Chrome Rookie Autographs of Matt Ryan, Darren McFadden, Eddie Royal, Mike Jenkins and Mario Manningham. In total, these 5 Topps Chrome Autograph Rookie Cards will be made available for Tuesday's IPO event. Be sure to check back at 5pm PST sharp to grab them at their initial starting price!
Not familiar with ThePit.com or IPOs?
ThePit.com is a sports card website that allows its users to buy rookie cards in bulk quantites, similar to the stock market, without taking possession. Watch your portfolio grow and trade your holdings for cash or cards. Periodically, ThePit.com has brand new offerings at low prices. These offerings, or IPOs, get snatched up quickly and are very popular events for its user base to take part in. Obtaining an ID to use the website is completely FREE and registration is simple.
Tags: football raiders thepit.com ipo cowboys broncos rookie_cards ny_giants autographs falcons
Thursday Oct 16, 2008
Deal of the Week is Back! This week it's Phillies Shane Victorino
This week's Deal of the Week is for a signed baseball of the red-hot Phillies Shane Victorino - Click Here to view. SportsBuy/ThePit had a private signing with Victorino back The Deal of the Week is, as its name suggests, a limited offering at a special price. Follow our RSS feed to keep track of each week's deal.
in August when the Phillies played the Dodgers. Now, one game from the World Series, the Phillies & Victorino are on the brink of a championship season! Each ball is Serial #'d /58, so there are only 58 available. Once they are sold out, the DOTW is over. Grab them while you can! The baseballs will be offered up at only $29.95.