Women Get Seat at Sports Card Table
I have been around this hobby for a good long while now.
I’ve seen tons of trends, eras, and too many ups-and-downs to count over the nearly four decades I’ve been entrenched in this business.
Of all these happenings, the one that brings me the most joy has been the recent emergence of women in the hobby.
I can’t describe how much the hobby needs these ladies, and how much of a positive impact they can, and are, making on the industry.
And I’m seeing this in every facet and phase, from collectors I notice at local card shows looking for cards, to big-time breakers such as Mama Breaks and MoneyMoose, to card shop owners and influencers.
Women are finally getting a seat at the table and we are all better for it.
I also love how women’s sports are emerging as a key part of the hobby as well — further driving the crucial and growing role of women in trading cards.
Suddenly, Caitlin Clark cards have rocketed to the top of collector’s wish list.
WNBA and professional women’s soccer player cards, among others, are all finding a place in showcases all over the country, all over the world.
It’s wonderful, particularly for someone like myself who remembers the days where card shows were literally comprised of middle-aged white guys only. Dealers, patrons… didn’t matter. They were all the same demographic — white and between 25-55.
It is certainly not like that nowadays, and that brings such happiness and hope to me, as both member of the industry and someone who loves the hobby.
We, as part of the old guard, were way behind the times in this area, and it’s nice to know we are finally catching up with the rest of society.
My generation’s time to steer the hobby is coming to a conclusion, and it’s time for us to pass the baton to a younger contingent of men and women.
I couldn’t be more excited, honestly, to say that!
These young men and women are different thinkers, unique personalities, and are much more fearless than myself and my contemporaries could ever have imagined.
And because of this mindset, and as a result of the important role these women will play in the hobby’s future, I firmly believe the golden age of the hobby is ahead for all of us.
Gentlemen, the time has come to yield the floor to a group of amazing women who have ideas and vision and talent and a dream for what this hobby should be and can be.
With great honor I step aside and look on as they do what they do and take this hobby to even greater heights.