From the Dugout to the Vault: How Athletes and Celebrities Are Powering the Hobby

The trading card and memorabilia hobby has always been driven by fans, nostalgia, and the stories that connect us to the games we love. But in 2025, a powerful shift is underway: athletes and celebrities are no longer just the subjects of collecting — they are now active participants, investors, and storytellers shaping the future of the hobby. Their impact is profound, and it’s directly influencing companies like Reclaim Customs, where we’re seeing demand from the very stars whose names appear on the cards.

Investors & Celebrities Making Headlines

Kevin O’Leary — “Mr. Wonderful” Goes All In

When Kevin O’Leary of Shark Tank fame revealed he was one of the investors behind the record-breaking $12.932 million sale of the Michael Jordan / Kobe Bryant dual Logoman autograph card, the entire hobby took notice. His involvement brings mainstream credibility and investor scrutiny to the trading card world, putting collectibles on the same level as fine art or luxury assets.

For the hobby, O’Leary’s presence signals that cards aren’t just nostalgia — they’re recognized as alternative investments. For companies like ours, it means the demand for airtight authenticity and premium presentation is higher than ever.

Logan Paul — Pokémon, Lawsuits, and the Spotlight

Love him or not, Logan Paul has drawn millions of new eyes to collectibles. His record-setting $5.275 million Pikachu Illustrator purchase made global headlines, and his recent lawsuit against an auction house over an allegedly questionable Michael Jordan autograph floorboard proves something critical: celebrity collectors expect perfection. That level of scrutiny pressures the entire industry to tighten authentication standards, a challenge Reclaim Customs embraces daily.

Athletes Leading the Way

Tom Brady — From Gridiron Legend to CardVault Mogul

Tom Brady has transformed from GOAT quarterback to card shop owner and brand builder. Through his stake in CardVault by Tom Brady, he’s helping open flagship card shops across the country — from Boston to New Jersey to East Hampton. By tying his name and presence directly to the retail side of the hobby, Brady sends a strong message: collecting isn’t just a pastime, it’s a cultural movement.

His involvement creates new points of entry for fans and collectors, while giving the hobby a polished, mainstream footprint.

Matt Strahm — The Player-Collector Who Lives the Hobby

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Matt Strahm has become one of the most authentic ambassadors for the hobby. With a personal collection approaching a million cards, Strahm is both a fan and a participant. But perhaps more importantly, he’s the host of the nationally broadcast TV show “The Card Life.”

This past month, Reclaim Customs was featured on The Card Life — a huge honor that allowed us to showcase the work we do in bringing custom, authenticated memorabilia pieces to life. For us, the exposure highlighted not just our craftsmanship, but also our commitment to legitimacy at a time when authenticity matters more than ever.

Strahm’s passion even extends into the Phillies clubhouse, where he has helped teammates — including stars like Bryce Harper — track down their own trading cards. When players themselves are searching for their cardboard legacy, it underscores just how much collecting has become woven into the modern athlete’s identity.

Evan Longoria — Veteran Collector

Former All-Star Evan Longoria has been a longtime collector, showing that athletes can stay tied to the hobby well beyond their playing days. His story represents the longevity of collecting: a career may end, but the love of cards remains.

Kevin Durant and Beyond

NBA superstar Kevin Durant is among the growing list of modern athletes dipping into cards, memorabilia, and alternative investments. Whether through personal collections or public endorsements, athletes like Durant bring enormous visibility and legitimacy to the space.

What This Means for Reclaim Customs

The surge of athletes and celebrities in the hobby isn’t just shaping headlines — it’s shaping our daily work at Reclaim Customs.

1. Celebrities and Athletes Are Becoming Our ClientsMore and more, we’re seeing professional athletes, former players, and even entertainers reaching out to us for custom card projects. It’s one thing to create for collectors — it’s another when the very people on the cards are commissioning work. It’s a validation of our mission and proof that authenticity and creativity resonate at the highest levels.

2. Visibility is Growing with the Hobby BoomBeing featured on The Card Life and seeing the explosion of mainstream attention around memorabilia naturally increases our visibility. That helps us build new relationships, attract collectors, and establish ourselves as a trusted brand in a crowded market.

3. Integrity Matters More Than EverWith celebrities like Logan Paul suing auction houses and high-profile investors like Kevin O’Leary demanding bulletproof authenticity, our policies matter. We only work with PSA, JSA, Beckett, or G.O.A.T. Authentication, and we never reuse or embed third-party stickers outside of approved partnerships. That’s not just a line in our policy — it’s the shield that protects our clients, our reputation, and the hobby itself.

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The Bigger Picture: Why This Era Is Different

The convergence of athletes and celebrities into the hobby is creating a new golden age for collecting:

• Athletes aren’t just featured — they’re engaged. From Strahm hunting down cards with his teammates to Brady building retail hubs, the people who once lived the game are now actively shaping the hobby.

• Celebrities and investors are legitimizing value. Kevin O’Leary treats cards like art, Logan Paul treats them like cultural icons. Both draw new audiences and raise new expectations.

• Collectors win. With more attention, stronger authentication standards, and mainstream growth, the hobby becomes safer, more exciting, and more innovative.

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Closing Thoughts

The 2025 hobby landscape is no longer just about the fans who grew up ripping wax packs. Today, it’s about athletes building vaults, celebrities breaking records, and collectors everywhere demanding transparency and legitimacy.

At Reclaim Customs, we’re not just along for the ride — we’re at the heart of it. We’re serving celebrity clients, we’ve been showcased on The Card Life, and our visibility grows every time a star makes waves in the hobby. Most importantly, we remain unwavering in our commitment to authenticity, creativity, and collector confidence.

Because in a world where everyone — from Bryce Harper to Mr. Wonderful — is watching the hobby closely, trust isn’t optional. It’s everything.