Cards
John Elway, Bears, Cubs stars shine at Chicago Sports Spectacular
The annual springtime Chicago Sports Spectacular, held March 13-15 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, was another star-studded event. The autograph signing slate featured:
• 14 Pro Football Hall of Famers, including John Elway, in his first Chicago area signing in 20 years.
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• Hockey Hall of Famers Eric Lindros and Mike Modano.
• Two International Boxing Hall of Famers.
• Two-time Olympian Hope Solo and Dustin Poirier, one of the greatest Lightweight UFC competitors in history.
“Overall, the show was a success. The room was busy every day, particularly Saturday. When the autograph pavilion was not busy, the aisles of the show floor were packed,” said Brian Schwartz, president of Schwartz Sports and the Chicago Sports Spectacular. “For the lineup we had, I was happy.”
The top signer at the three-day show was, believe it or not, a football player coming off his rookie season: Luther Burden III, the 22-year-old wide receiver and kickoff returner for the Chicago Bears, a second-round pick (39th overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft.
“Luther absolutely crushed it; he was the top guest, followed by Elway,” Schwartz said. “The Bears had an amazing season and if I could have gotten more [current Bears to appear], I would have.”
Schwartz admitted he was expecting Burden to finish second behind Elway, but instead the second-year local star surpassed the Hall of Fame quarterback in autograph demand.
Pricing, no doubt, factored into the results. Burden signatures ranged from $85-$100; Elway was $225-$500.
Rounding out the top five signers: former MLB and Cubs manager Joe Maddon, former Bears star Charles Tillman and former Chicago Cubs star and 2016 World Series MVP Ben Zobrist.
“The staying power of the 2016 Cubs was evident; they were among the top guests all weekend,” Schwartz said.
The show featured three players from the NCAA College Football National Champion Indiana Hoosiers, but they did not draw as expected, Schwartz said. Former Hoosier E.J. Williams, Jr. was among seven announced signers who were cancelled.
“I hoped their ticket sales would have been better, especially after so much buzz and excitement around that team,” Schwartz said. “I thought there would be a better showing from the Hoosier faithful.”
“The autograph pavilion compared to past shows; the attendance was a little higher, which speaks to the overall strength of the card market,” Schwartz said.
Schwartz noted that Maddon, the former Chicago Cubs manager, wanted one autograph at the show: Larry Thomas, who starred on Seinfeld. Madden claimed he’s seen every episode at least 10 times.
“We got their photo together and let them chat,” Schwartz said.
Poirier asked to meet Elway.
“The Chicago Sports Spectacular is the most inconsistent show I do. This show was down sales-wise, while sales were up at the show last November,” Chicago-area dealer Tony Gordon said. “A trend I’ve observed at the Chicago Sports Spectacular is, I am selling less cards from the 1950s and more from the 1970s.”
That said, the first customer at Gordon’s booth on Friday wanted a perfectly centered 1956 Topps Sandy Koufax card. “The one in my case had some centering issues,” said Gordon, who later learned the customer was Harlan J. Warner, the president/CEO of The Memorabilia Network.
Schwartz said Elway was the top draw for photo-ops, followed by Poirier.
Here’s a look at some of the finds at the mid-March Chicago Sports Spectacular:
• Extra large MLB and NFL blankets: $20
• Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga signed and framed jersey: $850
• Bob Knight signed and framed jersey with a photo: $500.
• Factory-sealed hobby box of 2003-04 Topps Chrome Basketball: $16,000.
• Factory-sealed hobby box of 2001 Bowman Chrome Baseball: $1,000.
• Walter Payton signed football: $1,500.
• O.J. Simpson signed and framed jersey: $650.
• John Calipari signed and framed jersey: $500.
• Caitlyn Clark or Stephen Curry signed jerseys: $1,000 each.
• It was impressive seeing a booth filled with pro wrestling championship belts, many autographed, among a variety of other souvenirs. Most belts were $1,500.
• “Stone Cold” Steve Austin signed and framed vest: $1,250.
• Sammy Sosa signed and framed jersey: $250.
• Vintage graded cards: 1967 Topps Willie Mays (8), $750; 1987 Donruss Mark McGwire (10), $240; 1957 Topps Mickey Mantle (6), $3,000.
• 1986 Chicago Bears cards from area McDonald’s, all graded 9: Dave Duerson $22; Jim McMahon $55; and Richard Dent $35.
• Caleb Williams signed and framed 16-by-20 photo: $400.
• Taylor Swift signed and framed CD with other artifacts for Swifties: $250.
• An official 2016 World Series baseball: $40.
• Woody Hayes autographed photo: $250.
• The first-ever Sports Illustrated: $225.
• Larry Bird autographed basketball: $450.
• Autographed baseballs: Joe DiMaggio ($1,295), Duke Snider ($125), or Freddie Freeman ($295).
• Aaron Judge game-issued signed shoes with multiple authentications: $2,995.
• 1935 Goudey Babe Ruth card: $3,000.
• 1990 Baseball Senior League packs: $1.
• Funko Pops aplenty, such as Ronald Acuna Jr., Dak Prescott and Jordan Love: $16 each or two for $30.
• Lou Holtz signed Notre Dame mini helmet: $175.
• Geoff Blum signed 2005 World Series ball: $60.
• Joe Canseco autographed ball: $25.
• Personalized Brian Piccolo 8-by-10 photo (To Rich): $2,500.
• Card with Harry Caray cut signature from a check: $750.
• Autographed baseballs: Sandy Koufax $785; Bill Dickey $450; Mickey Mantle $950; Joe Sewell $150; Leon Dan $90.
• Baseball signed by 11 members of the 500 Home Run Club: $2,900.
• Al Kaline autographed Wilson advertisement: $450.
• Factory-sealed Hobby Boxes: 2025 Prizm Football $960; 2025-26 Topps Finest Basketball $819; 2025 Bowman Draft Picks Baseball (super jumbo) $850; 2023-24 Topps Finest Basketball $260.
