Legacy Meets the Hobby: How Today’s Athletes Are Reshaping the Collectibles Industry

The world of sports collectibles is undergoing a transformation. No longer confined to nostalgic memorabilia, it has become a dynamic intersection of personal branding, investment, and storytelling. At the forefront of this evolution are the athletes themselves, who are not just subjects of collectibles — they’re active participants in shaping its future.

I'm about to dive in on how today’s stars are not only fueling the collectible economy but also using it to build lasting legacies, connect with fans, and drive cultural relevance.

Photo from prospective.com

Bobby Witt Jr.: The Modern Face of the Hobby

Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. is redefining what it means to be a modern athlete in the collectibles space.

• Investor in CollX: Witt is a backer of CollX, an AI-driven app that simplifies the process of scanning and cataloging sports cards — a tech-forward step into mainstream accessibility for collectors.

• Storytelling Through Cards: For his wedding, he famously had PSA-graded custom Topps cards created for his groomsmen — a poetic crossover of memorabilia, life milestones, and branding.

• Legacy Builder: I haven't met Bobby or spoke with him personally about it yet, but I think Witt clearly sees collecting as a business opportunity and cultural bridge — signaling to younger fans and fellow players that the hobby has staying power and meaning.

Josh Jung: The Hobby’s Rising Star

After an All-Star rookie campaign where he was a major part of a World Championship (2023) with the Texas Rangers, Josh Jung represents the emerging generation of athlete-collectors.

• Comic Book & TCG Enthusiast: Jung’s love for collecting began with Captain America and evolved into deep appreciation for trading card games and high-end sports cards.

• Content Creator: His Clubhouse Breaks series showcases MLB players like Mike Torut, MJ Melendez and Corbin Carroll, where they open packs, swap stories, and bring the clubhouse vibe to collectors worldwide.

• The Doodle Card: One of the first athletes to personalize a card with his own doodle and let it go viral, Jung instantly connected with fans and collectors through humor and authenticity.

Check out Josh Jung's YouTube channel for more content.

Mike Trout: The Hobby’s Iconic Ambassador

Widely considered the GOAT of our generation, Mike Trout also plays a key role in shaping the narrative of collectibles.

• Cross-Sport Collector: He’s known to collect basketball, football, and vintage baseball cards — a true fan of the hobby beyond his own stardom.

• Legacy in a Label: In recent years, Trout has worked with grading companies to authenticate elements of his personal collection. While not publicly detailed, these collaborations hint at the growing synergy between athletes and authentication platforms.

• Collector Culture in the Clubhouse: Trout's presence and encouragement have made collecting “cool” again in MLB circles, especially among rookies and young stars. By participating in content like "Clubhouse Breaks," with Josh Jung, Trout encourages younger players to engage with the hobby, fostering a culture of collecting within MLB clubhouses.​

A.J. Dillon: The NFL’s Hobby Hero

Green Bay Packers running back A.J. Dillon is one of the most engaged football players in the hobby. He hasn't played since 2023, but according to his IG-- looks like he will be in Philly this upcoming year, fresh off their Super Bowl Championship.

• Interactive Collector: Dillon has shared his collection, and engaged directly with collectors on social platforms.

• Personalization Through Autographs: He’s known for adding unique, often humorous inscriptions on cards, further connecting with fans and giving his memorabilia an unmistakable flair.

• Ambassador for the Game and the Hobby: Dillon did an interview with Topps Ripped and talks about his breaking channel, going to shows, betting on himself, and collecting his teammates.

Grant Williams: The NBA’s Collecting Entrepreneur

Grant Williams, missed most of this past year but is currently with the Charlotte Hornets, and brings a business-first approach to collecting.

• Founder of a Card Platform: Williams co-founded a trading card startup focused on authentic community building and simplifying the buying/selling experience.

• Hobby Advocate: On social media, he documents his passion for collecting and shares moments pulling his own rookie cards — making collecting personal and approachable.

Basketball’s Heavyweights: LeBron, Giannis, & KD

The NBA’s biggest names have also weighed in on the collectible boom.

• LeBron James: Publicly acknowledged his love for the 2003 Exquisite Collection, where some of his rookie cards have fetched over $5 million at auction — solidifying their place as cultural artifacts.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo: Has said in interviews that he's spent seven figures on cards and memorabilia — not just as a collector, but as a fan of history and greatness.

• Kevin Durant has a venture fund which started The Boardroom, a media brand co-founded with Rich Kleiman that focuses on the intersection of sports, entertainment, and business and often reports on collectibles and The Hobby.

PSA: Powering the Hobby Through Access and Storytelling

Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) continues to set the standard for grading, authentication, and legitimacy in the collectible space. But behind the scenes, they're also helping athletes create lasting legacies.

• Athlete-Focused Innovation: PSA has worked with select athletes on exclusive grading experiences — giving them customized access and private authentication pathways to preserve their personal memorabilia.

• Discreet, High-Impact Collaborations: While details are not always public, athletes have begun submitting personal items to PSA for encapsulation, protection, and storytelling purposes.

• Elevating the Experience: By offering a white-glove experience tailored for athletes, PSA is encouraging deeper engagement from pros who previously may have viewed collecting as a fan-only activity.

Collectibles with a Cause: Joe Burrow’s Custom Cleats

Beyond investment, collectibles have become tools for impact.

In a recent feature produced by Abby Alonzo, the story of a local artist who custom-designed cleats for Joe Burrow was highlighted. These cleats, worn during a game and later auctioned off for the Joe Burrow Foundation, raised money for food insecurity and youth initiatives.

This story illustrates how items athletes often discard — gloves, cleats, wristbands — can become powerful storytelling tools and fundraising vehicles.

The Players Dealer: Building Legacy Through the Hobby

The Players Dealer, a service that I started up last year, helps athletes preserve and tell their stories through collectibles.

Whether it’s facilitating one-of-a-kind memorabilia drops, grabbing the game-used items from the most memorable games or producing content with voices like Abby Alonzo, and activating brand partnerships around legacy — we’re here to connect the dots between greatness and the game.

From Josh Jung’s viral doodle to Mike Trout’s label-worthy collection, from Bobby Witt’s card-tech investment to Joe Burrow’s game-used cleats for a cause, this new era of collecting isn’t about the past — it’s about shaping the future.