With Celtic Mania in Full Force, Sports Memorabilia is a Slam Dunk
(PRWEB) June 20, 2008 -- Within hours after the Boston Celtics used Game 6 of the NBA Playoffs to crush the Los Angeles Lakers and take their 17th NBA title, the Celtics sports memorabilia was flying off cyber shelves at internet sports marketer Home-Team-Sports.com.
"We are selling 24 carat commemorative coins, commemorative championship team pictures, and anything to do with the Celtics as fast as the manufacturers can make them," says Tom Schwahn, owner of the North Carolina-based Home-Team-Sports.com. It's a scenario Schwahn says plays out every time a championship is determined, although the frenzy for the Celtics is something that hasn't been seen in a while.
While Boston fans and the entire New England region have enjoyed championship seasons with both their Patriots and Red Sox in recent years, the Celtics have been in a championship slump, but with their sixth game win in front of a hometown crowd, Celtics-mania is once again in full force.
As an online retailer, Home-Team-Sports.com and other large web-based sports memorabilia businesses are often the first in the sports collectibles field outside of a geographic area to benefit directly from a national championship, world record, or noted win.
"Our business serves the die-hard sports fan and collector who wants to own a piece of history with the purchase of collectibles from their favorite team," Schwahn says.
Industry experts confirm that the sports collectible industry is $2 billion strong with more than 16 million collectors worldwide. Online retailers like Schwahn, whose company has been in business for five years, say business has never been better.
The benefit to online retailers is that, unlike retail stores that have to wait for newly minted merchandise to arrive, companies like Home-Team-Sports can strike while the iron is red hot, literally within minutes of a championship win.
"With this series it was pretty obvious that the Celtics were going to win, so we were prepared," Schwahn says.
The three top selling items at the retailer during the 12 hours immediately following the final buzzer in Boston were Boston Celtics 24kt Gold NBA Champions Coins, selling for $27.95, a framed, limited edition team photo including two collectible gold coins selling for $89.95, and a 14 x 18 etched glass photo mint collectible featuring team member photos, gold coins, and facsimile signatures etched in glass for $199.95.
"About the time Boston fans woke up from their celebrations, they started buying commemorative merchandise, as well as the usual sports banners, penants, and anything Celtics," Schwahn says.
Although sports memorabilia is collected primarily as a hobby, many collectors say they buy it not only for their love of the sport, but because they hope it is in an investment that will grow in value. Experts say authenticity of the merchandise is a key to its value, as is any merchandise that is officially licensed or a limited edition. Experts also say that, as with all collectibles, would-be investors should purchase sports memorabilia only from reputable dealers.
"Authenticity of an item is key, but buying sports memorabilia is a lot like investing in art. I tell my customers to buy what they love and buy it to enjoy. It it appreciates in value, that's a bonus, but if it doesn't, you still have something that you love," Schwahn says.
Home-Team-Sports.com is based in Mooresville, NC. The company has been in business for five years and features a wide range of sports collectibles and memorabilia. Visit www.home-team-sports.com.
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