Topps just signed Georgia’s own Trevor Lawrence, soon to be the number one NFL draft pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars, to an exclusive arrangement to create a 50-trading card box set releasing in April, 2021. The artsy cards will feature 20 designed by Lawrence’s brother and sister-in-law, both professional artists, as well as showcase his 2018 national championship. The trading card industry has surged recently, especially rookie cards, topped off by a recent record, online auction purchase at PWCC Marketplace of a Tom Brady rookie card for $1.32 million. The Sports Techie community blog encourages the collection of digital and traditional trading cards for posterity, passion, fun, and as an investment. Look for Lawrence to be featured on Iconic Topps Football Designs too.
“I’m excited to be working with Topps on this really unique set,” said Lawrence. “Chase (Lawrence) and Brooke (wife) are extremely talented artists and it’s special to collaborate with them on these custom designs.”
Lawrence Topps Series
Look for the series of 50 customized cards to feature autographs on certain cards. The artwork will consist of oil paintings blended with digital renditions by Lawrence’s family members. The two used psychedelic period pieces set in the 1960’s-70’s, with classic comic books and graphic novel illustrations also used for inspiration.
“Trevor Lawrence is one of the most popular and visible players in college football in years and we can’t wait to capture his talent and personality in this set,” said Jeff Heckman, Global Director of Ecommerce. “We look forward to revealing the unique designs that Chase and Brooke will develop, and we think football fans across the country will love the series.”
Human STATS Machine
Lawrence was a college football superstar after completing 231 of 234 passes (69.2%) for 3153 yards and 24 touchdowns this season, then finished second in the Heisman Trophy balloting after once again leading Clemson to a national championship game. Over his incredible three-year career, Trevor threw for a high completion percentage of 66.6% after completing 758-of-1138 career passes for 10,098 yards, 90 touchdowns and 17 interceptions, resulting in a pass efficiency rating of 164.26 while taking 2,237 snaps during his illustrious 40 career games (36 starts).
NIL Sportsbiz
College Football is about to pay players for their name, image and likeness (NIL), a hot button topic and multi-billion dollar industry. What made this so, happened 12-year ago when Ed O’Bannon’s successful anti-trust litigation versus the NCAA and member schools paved the way to end the unlawful rules that set values of players’ names, images and likeness to $0. Imagine that, zero cash for college athletes NIL’s.
A latest and newest bill was introduced yesterday by U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, guaranteeing college athletes like Lawrence, retain the right to earn endorsement and sponsorship money, in addition to barring restrictions from the NCAA, universities and conferences. Trevor is no longer a collegiate student-athlete so he will miss this momentous change but the next 5-star recruit in line to become the winningest starting quarterback in Clemson history and first QB to win three ACC Championship Games after Trevor, will score when it is their time for a one-of-a-kind collection.
NIL has another bill in which antitrust protection for the NCAA is most important, limiting financial gains by athletes.
Alt launched their new platform yesterday, used to buy, sell, track and store sports collectibles. They raised venture capital financing from sports, technology and entertainer influencers including NBA player Kevin Durant, NFL legend Larry Fitzgerald, and sports business analyst Darren Rovell.
Collectibles
The Topps Company, Inc. was founded in 1938 and lays claim to being the preeminent creator and brand marketer of physical and digital sports cards, entertainment cards and collectibles, and distinctive confectionery products.
James Park, from Boston, purchased the Tom Brady autographed 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket card as a lifelong Brady fan living in Massachusetts. He happily bought the autographed 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket card, one of only 100 in existence. “I lived in Boston for 10 years and so am a huge fan of Brady. The last Super Bowl win was just a mind-blowing accomplishment,” Park said. “I’ve also had a love of collecting cards since I was a kid. Given Brady’s uncontested status as GOAT in football, this card is an important piece of sports history and of any collection.”
An autographed Patrick Mahomes 2017 National Treasures card with a piece of his jersey embedded in it, one of five cards thought to be in print of that card, sold for an astonishing $861,000 through an online auction run by Goldin Auctions. The sale broke the previous record held by another Brady card that sold for $555,988 in January. A different Brady card sold for $400,100 in February, setting a record sale at the time.
Brady is so hot right now, another rookie card in the 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket collection was purchased for $400,100 in February 2019, setting the new record at that time.
The same Brady card is currently be auctioned at Lelands, and has a bid of $707,565 with 29 days still to go before it ends. Are we talking $1.5 million for the rights to buy it?
According to Field Level Media, a 1951 Mickey Mantle rookie card garnered a sale of $5.2 million last January. A Luka Doncic rookie card auctioned for $4.6 million.
In 2018, Notre Dame WR, Tim Brown, auctioned his Heisman Trophy over the web.
No question, collectable trading cards are only going up in price as time goes on as long as they stay in mint condition.
Visit Topps.com.
Sports Techie, might Lawrence outsell the more than 51,000, Dr. Anthony Fauci Topps Now cards sold on day one? I first blogged about Topps in 2014 and have since, covered several different releases such as Project 2020.
I wonder who will be the Tigers or Jaguars fan in South Carolina or Florida, respectively, that steps up and one-day, auctions off his or her, Trevor Lawrence Topps Collectible 50 Card Set, to the highest online auction bidder.
In ten years, might the cost be in the $2 to $5 million range if Lawrence become the next Brady?
You better believe it.
See you later sportstechie in Seattle, Atlanta and around the world!
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