Young Dealmakers in Rosemont
Rosemont recently hosted the National Sports Collectors Convention, attracting children as the new power brokers in the sports card industry. These young collectors control inventories worth more than many adults’ annual salaries. Zach Grygier, a sports card dealer, noted, ‘Kids have a down payment on a house in their case.’
The event marked its 16th appearance in the Chicago area and was the first to return consecutively to the same venue in 43 years. The sports card industry is projected to grow from $15 billion to over $50 billion in the next decade, fueled by collectors young and old. The National serves as both the Super Bowl and World Cup of collecting, with lines stretching miles long before the doors open.
Resurgence Fueled by Scarcity
Today’s sports card boom contrasts sharply with the junk wax era of the 1990s, which saw market turbulence due to overproduction. Companies like Fanatics and Panini have revitalized the market by emphasizing scarcity and autograph inserts. Evidence of this resurgence was a newly pulled autographed Shohei Ohtani card sold for $11 million, prompting increased interest among collectors and maintaining hobby shops.
Young collectors excel online, using digital marketplaces and monitoring real-time sales data. They spend hours on streams where influencers open boxes live for pre-paying customers. The convention’s hall was filled with children transporting heavy cases loaded with professionally authenticated cards. Cam Ruetz, a 12-year-old attendee, estimated his collection’s worth at $10,000, while others like JT Brown from Kentucky value theirs at $1 million.
Adapting to Technological Shifts
Ellen Wartella, professor emerita at Northwestern University, explained that children often adopt new technologies before adults. The hobby, increasingly centered on social media and livestreams, rewards skills that young people naturally develop. Middle-schooler Nathan Massel took advantage of this, starting when he saw card boxes flipped for double or triple their price during the pandemic. He even lined up early at stores to purchase boxes for resale.
Massel’s proficiency has grown, allowing him to buy cards up to $500 and resell them for significant profit. His father, Joel Massel, praises his son’s financial literacy, noting Nathan’s ability surpasses many adults and indicating possible future studies in business and potential internships.
Industry Success Shapes Aspirations
CompKiller Sports Cards’ Zach Grygier sees kids admiring his path from a sales career to a full-time sports card business owner. Grygier emphasizes that degrees aren’t necessary in this industry. He notes that knowledge and drive are key, qualities abundant in the children thriving in the marketplace. Despite misconceptions, young collectors are making considerable impacts.
Children like Clark Calvin, 14, also navigate the financial aspects, lamenting peers’ focus solely on cash rather than trading. Middle school is a time for financial independence development, Wartella explains, with children appreciating the industry’s interplay of money and identity.
Financial Risks for Young Collectors
Memorabilia appraiser Michael Osacky notes the high stakes with children managing collections worth vast amounts. While some succeed, others encounter market volatility or find themselves victims of scams. Children must grasp this market’s dynamics to navigate effectively.
Ronnie Holloway receives numerous calls from desperate children seeking solutions for lost investments. He warns of the bubble poised to burst, driven by top companies’ exclusive licensing deals. The dopamine rush from opening boxes parallels gambling, and Holloway insists on restraint.
Educational Programs for Young Collectors
Amidst these dynamics, educational initiatives like the Youth Collectors Card Initiative promote responsible collecting. Tamajae Banks, a participating teenager, discovered the value of trading and realized kids could earn just like adults. Philadelphia educator Samuel Evans sees trading cards as a tool for developing financial literacy and entrepreneurship.
Evans emphasizes foundational entrepreneurial skills, aiming for thoughtful collecting through structured curriculum. The program seeks to engage children beyond school, reinforcing negotiation, conflict resolution, and time management skills, said Karlyn Gorski from the University of Chicago.
Former MLB player Curtis Granderson supports using cards as an educational tool, stressing the importance of meeting children where their interests lie.