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Boom or Bust - what is the trading card markets fate? While it's hard to judge where the sports card market will go, we analyze some of the athletes that have helped cards boom in the past.
News: Panini gets MLBPA License to make baseball cards (without use of MLB logos/uniforms) Also, some 2011 Topps Finest Cam Newton SuperFractor cards have sold for $3,000+ and his cards are BOOMING after a 400+ yard game in week 1 vrs Arizona.
Boom! Usually a jump in demand for sports cards correlates with a spike in popularity of a given player or team. We've seen all kinds of players come through the ranks and drive big money sales for their cards - some have lasted longer than others. Below is a list of players I think have really helped card sales in one way or another. I've probably left off lots of names - but these are the ones that come to mind:
Sustainable BOOM Players: Ken Griffey Jr Despite a career that was 'hurt' by injuries - his 1989 Upper Deck Rookie Card created one of the biggest sports card booms of all time.
Derek Jeter This Yankees great has won championships and collected 3,000+ hits along the way. His cards will probably always have value.
Brett Favre No one started more games in a row at QB than Favre - & playing for Green Bay made his cards very collectible.
Tom Brady A limited number of rookies make his early cards very collectible - and his autographs is highly sought after.
Michael Jordan The worlds greatest basketball player is still hot on collectors feet with his popular shoes & his cards are still highly sought after.
Kobe Bryant The only thing Kobe hasn't done for the Lakers is get his jersey # on the Staple Center wall, but he'll have that honor one day.
LeBron James Despite taking a popularity hit when he went to Miami - no basketball collector would mind finding a rare LeBron James card in their collection.
Tiger Woods Another guy that's taken a popularity hit in his career. However even if he doesn't bounce back like Kobe - his memorabilia is still highly collectible.
mini BOOM Players
Aaron Rodgers - Blew up after he won a Super Bowl and if he continues his winning ways, he might move up into Favre land.
Blake Griffin - A couple of dunks on people after an entire season off took Blake's cards to soaring highs.
Stephen Strasburg - Blew up ... then blew up his arm. He came back faster than people though - but will he be a star in the MLB?
Vince Carter - After he threw a couple of dunks down in the NBA Dunk Contest, Carter's values sky-rocketed.
Mark McGwire - He, Sammy Sosa and the rest of the MLB blew up the record books ... with help.
Other Retired/HOF Boom Players
Babe Ruth - No player seems to grow in stature as the years go on like Babe ... no one's seen him play, but we'd all like one of his cards.
Mickey Mantle - One of the most popular NY Yakees of all time = collectible cards forever. Topps regularly produces Mantle cards every season.
Hank Aaron - Some people still consider him the HR king, and people pay top dollar for his autographs and cards.
Aikman & Emmitt - Both have had successful careers off the field, but Cowboys fans still remember their great playing days.
Joe Montana - In the Bay Area, there is no one with more championships or fan love than Montana
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