Is Autographed Sports Memorabilia Worth It?
I saw an article the other day claiming that sports memorabilia is one of the top 10 biggest wastes of money. Chris Pummer, who wrote the article claims that, "This market for the celebrity struck may be the greatest separator of fools and their money ever."
He lists premium coffee to go and cigarettes as a few other "biggest wastes of money."
I agree with Pummer that sports memorabilia is a waste of money if you buy the wrong player or if you purchase something that is fake.
But the bottom line is that the market for autographed sports memorabilia and collectibles is huge. Authentic autographs are tough to get, expensive, and there are limited amounts available.
Take Pete Rose, who signs every weekend in Las Vegas. There is such a demand for his autographed memorabilia that his jerseys, baseballs and other items consistently bring good money -- no matter how much he signs.
When Pete becomes unable to sign -- or he dies, his existing, authentic autographed memorabilia will double or triple in value.
Pummer mentions how a $700 Barry Bonds ball is worthless. I have to agree with him on that one. Sports memorabilia shopping is all about picking the right player (and Bonds is not the right player). When a Willie Mays autographed baseball currently sells for around $250-$300, why would you spend $700 on a Bonds baseball?
Mays is proven, he is the greatest living baseball player on the planet -- do the math. Even when Bonds surpassed Willie's home run record, he did not become more collectible than Willie Mays. Bonds will never be more collectible than Mays and his baseballs will never be worth more.
Sports memorabilia collecting is similar to the stock market. The athlete is the stock. You have to make sure the athlete has good fundamentals, management, and you also have to investigate how the market values them.
Joe Montana, for example, is one of the all-time best selling autographs in the industry. He is a proven athlete, no steroid scandals, and people love him. He does sign frequently, but there is such a huge demand for Joe Montana memorabilia, it doesn't matter.
Sports memorabilia is not a waste of money, it is an investment if you know what you are buying. Educate yourself on the market -- for example, shopping on eBay if you don't know how to spot fake autographs is a bad idea. There are tons of sellers on eBay that still sell fake autographs even though a few forgers went to jail as a result of the FBI's Operation Bullpen over 3 years ago.
If you educated yourself on authentic autographs, found good players to invest in, and studied values of items based on what they are currently selling for, then you could see better returns than your stock market portfolio -- well, maybe at least better returns than the S&P 500 and those horrible mutual funds!
Kelly Johns started ALLAuthentic.com in 1998 by selling http://allauthentic.com online out of his garage. Since then ALLAuthentic.com has grown to be one of the largest, most reputable sports memorabilia companies on the Internet.
Related Articles:
Sports Memorabilia Collectible Items
Every day in the life of a sports fan can be filled with special memories, and special mementos that are rich in history. The mementos might be from a sports event that the entire family has season passes to or might go to a game only once a year. Some special times are represented in some of the special pieces that freeze time in the sports history that is represented by some sports memorabilia collectible items.
New Sporting Toy Pumgo Has Entered Large Sporting Goods Stores This Fall
In last summer season Land Surf Inc. donated more than 200 Pumgos to kid summer camps national wide. It’s the first time for many kids to ride the skateboard that can be powered by rider as a 4WD "car". Major sporting goods stores such as Modell’s and Dunham’s recently began carrying the innovative toy. More and more parents and kids will find out riding Pumgo is a unique and fun outdoor and indoor activity. Please visit www.pumgo.com for more information.
Sports Memorabilia Collectible Treasures
People have worried for a long time about the authenticity of their sports memorabilia collectible treasures. This worry has hindered many large collectors from investing large sums of money in memorabilia items that they think could not possibly be signed by the person that is being represented on the item.
The Proper Sports Nutrition For Extreme Sports
These days, with the evolution of the whole extreme sports concept, the topic of sports nutrition has also gained a lot of importance and attention from the sportsmen as well as from the media. The professional sportsmen performing in extreme sports hold an elevated status in society and this realization has pushed lots of initiatives to produce the latest and most effective in sports nutrition.
Midwest Sports Authentics Advises Consumers Not to Wait on that Special Sports Memorabilia Item
With popularity continuing to rise and expected to hit record numbers in 2007, smart buyers recognize that the world of sports memorabilia is dynamic and constantly changing. Sports memorabilia enthusiasts know to grab that special item when they see it because it might not be there tomorrow.
Tony T's Sports Bets Sports Betting Coverage--NFL Pro Football and College Football Sports Picks Highlight Sports Betting Coverage Airing on Gamblers
Tony T's Sports Bets Sports Betting TV Show airs 7 days a week on Gamblers Television. Tony T breaks down the big TV Games from the NFL and College Football. Tony T's Sports Bets is a Sports Betting Information TV show that focuses on sports betting on Pro Football and College Football airing with a new episode each day seven days a week on http://GamblersTelevision.com.
Sports Odds and Picks -- NFL Pro Football and College Football Highlight September Tony T's Sports Bets Sports Betting Show Airing on Gamblers Televi
Tony T's Sports Bets Sports Betting TV Show airs 7 days a week on Gamblers Television. Tony T breaks down the big TV Games from the NFL and College Football. Tony T's Sports Bets is a Sports Betting Information TV show that focuses on sports betting on Pro Football and College Football airing with a new episode each day seven days a week on http://GamblersTelevision.com. Dana Ward also contributes with stories from the NFL, College Football and the UFC for the sports betting public.
Tony T's Sports Bets Sports Betting Coverage--NFL Pro Football and College Football Sports Picks Highlight August Sports Betting Coverage on Gamblers
Tony T's Sports Bets Sports Betting TV Show airs 7 days a week on Gamblers Television. Tony T breaks down the big TV Games from the NFL and College Football. Here is the preview for this month's shows and few of the Pro Football and College Football games that will be covered from a sports betting perspective using sports odds from sportsbooks. Tony T's Sports Bets is a Sports Betting Information TV show that focuses on sports betting on Pro Football and College Football airing with a new episode each day seven days a week on http://GamblersTelevision.com.
Discover Why Sports Nutrition Protein Is Need For A Healthy Sporting Diet
You need to be accurate about the nutritional information that your body will require to accomplish maximum achievement. Every athlete generally desires to be unparalleled in their chosen sport. But if you want to be well-recognized as an athlete, you've got to have beneficial nutrients in a consistent food intake, this is particularly the case with sports nutrition protein. Whilst it is certain that drinking plenty of water and eating a balanced diet is enough for the regular guy, sports people ? you included ? need increased nourishment, for the adequate creation of physical energy.
Hoops Partners with Shively Sporting Goods Stores and East End Sports Cards
CollectibleSport.com Offers a Great Selection of Collectible Sports Memorabilia and Gift Ideas for Most Popular Sports
Sports Memorabilia Collectors are flocking by the droves to buy Collectible Sports Memorabilia from CollectibleSport. They are taking advantage of the great selection and value found for most popular sports, including baseball, basketball, football, golf, NASCAR, die cast cars, sports bobble heads, and sports hero posters. This is
the perfect marriage of the popularity of Collectible Sports Memorabilia and the upcoming holiday gift giving season.
Sports Betting Coverage--NFL Pro Football and College Football Sports Picks Highlight September Tony T's Sports Bets Sports Betting Coverage on Gambl
Tony T's Sports Bets Sports Betting TV Show airs 7 days a week on Gamblers Television. Tony T breaks down the big TV Games from the NFL and College Football. Tony T's Sports Bets is a Sports Betting Information TV show that focuses on sports betting on Pro Football and College Football airing with a new episode each day seven days a week on http://GamblersTelevision.com. Dana Ward also contributes with stories from the NFL, College Football and the UFC for the sports betting public.
Calling All Sports Fans: Have Your Personal Sports Memorabilia Displayed When the Sports Museum of America Opens in May -- Celebrating Am
It's Valentine's Day and what better way to show off your love of sports than by sharing your most treasured sports memorabilia with the rest of this "Fan-tastic" nation.
SportsLine Founder Brings Online Sports Entertainment to the Open Era with the Launch of Open Sports : OPEN Sports Puts the Ball in Sports Fans' Co
Mike Levy, founder of CBS SportsLine.com, announced today the launch of OPENSports.com, a next-generation sports site that will re-define the sports fan's entertainment experience. OPENSports.com launched in BETA with the first set of tools and content for the 2008 NFL season. The site is a comprehensive platform of products and services that brings together breaking sports news, social media tools, user generated content and multimedia applications to create the ultimate community-oriented destination.
MusicPlusTV.com to Debut New Sports Series, 'Tony T's Sports Bets'
Football sports betting show scheduled to air first show live on Sept. 7, 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT.