Better return? Baseball, Basketball, Football, Hockey?

[wickedliquids]

Ok, so which has a better return?

I'm asking only because of two players - Cam Newton and Jeremy Lin.

I've seen with my baseball, the values are at most times, minimal (yes, I know I may not have the right cards). But when I look at the FCB football and basketball forums and look at the values of many of the cards, the prices are staggering; when they shoot up, they go WAYYYY up. They plateau high and fast.

I think Matt Moore cards or Trevor Bauer cards in with the bunch above, but I find it interesting that it took several, several months for those cards to start mustering up value wise, whereas overnight, the Newton and Lin cards took off like crazy.

Not to focus on those two other sport players, but in general, I see highest spiking with basketball; insane 1 of 1's, beautiful cards, and massive buyers worldwide (maybe that's the key?).

I'll never stop collecting baseball cards, but man, I've been eyeing basketball more and more.

Any thoughts?

 

[Topnotchsy]

For sheer explosive returns, baseball is not the place to be. The impact of any one player in the sport is far less than in basketball or even football (if the player is in the right position) and those sports have a far greater international appeal.

 

[wickedliquids]

For sheer explosive returns, baseball is not the place to be. The impact of any one player in the sport is far less than in basketball or even football (if the player is in the right position) and those sports have a far greater international appeal.

Yes, I've thought that same thing and I'm seeing it more and more since my return to the hobby. The international appeal certainly helps and some of the monster pulls I've seen up for sale would wipe "nearly" any red or gold refractor off the map. I said "nearly." :mrgreen:

 

[sports-vault]

Basketball by far....

a Jeremy Lin card that was selling for 20 last week is selling for 2k this week!

Biggest drawback, you are dealing with lots of lowlifes.

 

[ThoseBackPages]

i voted for Hockey.

for two words alone: Young Guns

 

[thefatguy]

Hockey

YG's and the collectors are nuts

 

[CollectorsCorner]

Hockey for sure

 

[sheetskout]

Football's problem is that there's certain positions that are discounted all together. You can debate all you want about pitchers vs. hitters, but I'll take a good prospect pitcher over a rookie first-round offensive lineman all day long.

 

[Jared]

It seems basketball cards have a pretty big buy-in, but have a ton of room for growth.

What makes the Jeremy Lin card two weeks ago sell for $20? He was undrafted, cut from multiple teams, and didn't get a chance to play anywhere until the Knicks gave him a shot. If I was a multi-sport investor why would I spend $20 for a Jeremy Lin autographed card when I could use that money to buy a lesser risk player in another sport? I know I wouldn't. I would take that $20 and invest it in a baseball prospect that I felt could get me a $10-$15 dollar profit at one point in the future.

The risk is higher, but the reward is also much higher.

 

[Maroon and Gold]

Baseball. Hockey doesn't have the fanbase to compete with baseball or football. Basketball is alright, but have to worry about shipping to Taiwan, strikes, season that goes for waaay too long into summer, and seemingly not as smart fan base as baseball. Football has fewer chances for games, but a couple big games or returns in primetime can cause a good spike, but backup QBs seem to be the best return for the money. Baseball is deep enough that you can get some gems that be cheap enough and then play well, and have enough exposure for short term flipping with ESPN and Baseball America, plus less competition during the season.

 

[Krusin]

Hockey

Hockey collectors are nuts, non auto's & non GU are HIGHLY collected. Vets & rookies both bring nice realized prices for star players. If your selling Hockey you need to accept at mininum Canada bidders. You can track high dollar items to Canada with International Express & get insurance, it's expensive but with the High $ stuff better to be protected.

 

[sheetskout]

I wish Jeremy Lin would stop being brought up here. Lin's combination of market, circumstance, and play happens like once every ten years per sport. Definitely not someone to use in a risk-managed prospecting system.

 

[gvsu96]

Hockey.

 

[nbailey]

Baseball, Basketball, Football, Hockey?
The answer is yes.

It's all about finding the right player, no matter which sport.
Sadly, that's really hard to do.

 

[Maroon and Gold]

Baseball, Basketball, Football, Hockey?
The answer is yes.

It's all about finding the right player, no matter which sport.
Sadly, that's really hard to do.

Bryce Harper in about December

 

[gt2590]

It's all about finding the right player, no matter which sport. Sadly, that's really hard to do.

No, it's not.

Just look at who I've sold in the last Month or so, and then buy him/them. They're destined for the HOF! :lol:

And as said, Hockey can do very well. Football is good 'cuz almost EVERY player gets hot at least once.

Hockey singles would do even better IF they ever get a way to track US Mail up there... :?

 

[coltsfan23]

A large part of analyzing "better returns" is also the amount of risk you're willing to take. Obviously it depends on a case-by-case basis, but from my personal experience in trying to invest in all four sports, I've found both baseball and football to be quite good on a risk vs. return basis. Basketball and hockey tend to be more unpredictable and price increases are more often driven by unexplainable, irrational factors. Initial buy-in prices also tend to be higher in basketball and hockey, while not always having that same upside potential, thereby making it harder to successfully invest. Of course you'll have your Jeremy Lins pop up every once in a long while, but that's quite rare, especially in basketball.

 

[wickedliquids]

Almost forgot about the Young Guns...damn that stuff really is hot, year over year. I agree with ya'll - baseball, basketball and hockey, with the football cards a bit more riskier. Maybe I should jump into basketball for a year.

In our hobby, baseball is king, we all know that - but once in a blue moon, we get Griffey's, Harper's, and Strasburgs - guys that will have, or in Griffey's case had, stellar careers (please for the love of god, no on say Mark Prior, Jerome Walton, or Ben McDonald, etc, etc). At least that's what we hope for.

But in basketball - the stars and rookies are year over year, proven over and over again - it's like having Griffey, every year, just on a different team. So I can absolutely see how Basketball will probably have the highest return, next to hockey, then baseball, football, then everything else.

And by the way, anyone find any basketball cards around their Walmart or Target? They're completely dry here in NorCal - at least in my neck of the woods.

 

[nomarj]

I say Hockey and Basketball. I like the fact that in hockey, for rookies to get a card they have to play in a professional game. This is not the case with football and baseball (basketball I'm unsure of). In my opinion, the higher end in these two sports is worth more if you will. Between the Cup and Exquisite, there are many, many high dollar cards. This is the case as well for football and baseball, but as a whole I think Hockey and Basketball have the best returns.

 

[gt2590]

And by the way, anyone find any basketball cards around their Walmart or Target? They're completely dry here in NorCal - at least in my neck of the woods.

Panini has the Exclusive rights in Basketball and hasn't put out any products yet this year.

When they do, the rookies are expected to be redemptions anyway... :?