The Olympic Games not only spur interest in various sports and athletes, but they also drive the popularity of diverse collectibles. The incredibly inclusive nature of the Olympics means they can captivate casual fans and non-sports viewers, leading to an increased demand for sports memorabilia. For instance, the men’s gold-medal basketball game between the U.S. and France attracted 19.5 million viewers in the U.S., surpassing NBA finals viewership. This surge in viewers can create a temporary wave of interest that may quickly fade, but it can also be the impetus for more long-lasting growth. It often introduces new sports and players, attracting potential new fans and collectors.
Several athletes and collectibles saw a significant increase in collector interest during the Olympic Games in 2024, centered around the sport of basketball. The most searched Team USA men’s basketball players on eBay during the Olympics were LeBron James, Anthony Edwards, and Steph Curry, who are recognized for their exceptional performances. Anthony Edwards’s ungraded 202o Panini Prizm silver card’s price returned to its peak from the NBA Western Conference finals in May. Although his performance in the Olympic tournament was not stellar, the value of his card is still higher than it was after his NBA playoff elimination. If he improves his performance this season, collector interest in him could increase.
On the women’s side, the most searched Team USA players on eBay were Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, and Kelsey Plum. The most notable omission was A’ja Wilson, who was named the tournament’s MVP. Notwithstanding, the Olympics provided a surge to women’s sports collectibles. For example, Katie Ledecky, Simone Biles, and Ilona Maher saw a significant increase in their collectible card values. While Ledecky and Biles have strong potential for sustained value due to their widespread recognition and popularity, Maher’s long-term value is more uncertain unless rugby undergoes a significant popularity surge.
The performance of the USA women’s soccer team considerably boosted interest in their collectibles. Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, and Mallory Swanson, who were instrumental in the USA winning the gold medal, experienced significant eBay search spikes. Cards from the 2024 Topps Chrome Olympic set that bear autographs from Smith and Swanson attracted considerable collector interest. Men’s tennis finalists Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz also saw major search increases, highlighting the potential of the Olympics to introduce a wider audience to already popular sports figures.
It’s worth noting that the Olympic Games also blur the lines between sports and non-sports collectibles. For example, Snoop Dogg’s custom Olympic pins created a buzz, which led to a surge in eBay searches for “Snoop Dogg pin”. Since the 2028 Olympics will be in his hometown of Los Angeles, there could be more interest in Snoop Dogg Olympic pins in the future.
Lastly, Adam Ireland of eBay, provides additional perspectives on their collectible operations. According to him, trading cards are a significant part of the collectible market, but other categories, such as vintage electronics and Type 1 photographs are also becoming increasingly popular. He highlights that nostalgia plays a major role in these trends. Trading card games are creating interest as they cater to this nostalgia while also attracting a younger audience. Netflix series about Goldin Auctions, which eBay recently acquired, is also seen as a way to enhance interest in collectibles. The series has helped expose more people to the hobby and has the potential to democratize it further.
