NBA superstar, MLB legends and Chicago Cubs stars headline record autograph lineup at National Sports Collectors Convention
The TRISTAR Autograph Pavilion at the 45th National Sports Collectors Convention will be the largest ever with about 60 first-time autograph signers among nearly 150 confirmed guests. And there will be at least 83 Hall of Famers from baseball, basketball and football.
Even legendary New York Knicks fan Spike Lee, who was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame SuperFan Gallery in 2024, is making his debut signing autographs at The National. Lee likely will be one of the most sought-after signatures at this year’s National.
“Spike Lee is one of the most famous fans in any sport. He will be very popular at The National,” said TRISTAR Productions Vice President Bobby Mintz.
The 2025 National is the summertime spectacular for the hobby, the Super Bowl of sports memorabilia, drawing collectors from around the world. The 2023 National (also held in Chicago) and the 2024 National (Cleveland) each reportedly attracted more than 100,000 collectors and fans for the five-day show. Similar crowds are expected this summer.
“Chicago is a great market for this show—a destination city, where people love to be in the summer. The venue is terrific, with hotels in walking distance and great restaurants [nearby]. Plus, the Cubs will be in town over the weekend.
“Chicago is a great place to host The National. And the industry is super-hot, growing, and the past few years have been historic.”
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Texas-based collector Ryan Hutchinson added, “The 2023 National was incredible, easily the largest show I’ve ever been to and the autograph lineup was probably the deepest of any National to date. Then in 2024, the autograph lineup was the best lineup to date and I had doubts TRISTAR would be able to have a lineup that was comparable.
“But the 2025 autograph lineup from TRISTAR for this year’s National is every bit as good. There are lots of high-end athletes, many award winners who haven’t had many public signings, and even some very intriguing current athletes.”
Mintz believes this year’s National will surpass the success of 2023 and 2024.
“The industry is hot and everyone loves Chicago. It is going to be big,” he said. “The autograph lineup is really strong.”
Hutchinson, who is attending his 14th consecutive National, is admittedly new to the card collecting side of the hobby. Still, “I’m looking to expand my collection. I love game-used items and am always looking for any game-used items of athletes I grew up watching and have sentimental value.”
The 2025 TRISTAR autograph lineup is truly a who’s who in the sports world.
Popular baseball great Miguel Cabrera is expected to draw long lines. Then again, that can be said for many.
The top draws are expected to be NBA giant Giannis Antetokounmpo, Rick Sutcliffe, Todd Helton, Patrick Ewing, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Adrian Beltre, Dansby Swanson, and new Hall of Famers CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner, among others.
“I’m extremely excited to see Miguel Cabrera,” Hutchinson said. “As an LSU alum, obviously I’m going to have to meet Patrick Peterson, and there is no way I can pass up the opportunity to meet Giannis.
“I plan on adding Miguel Cabrera’s autograph to my 500-home run ball and Giannis to my Top 75 basketball.”
The last National in Chicago in 2023 featured an appearance by NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, anchoring the best National autograph lineup in decades and arguably ever. The 2024 National in Cleveland was just as strong.
Mintz said the 2025 National is shaping up to be in the top three.
Part credit could go to the Chicago Cubs, who have been leading the NL Central throughout the first half of the season and have been led by red-shot rookie Pete Crow-Armstrong.
“When the Cubs are hot, the mood in Chicago goes to another level,” Mintz said. “It will be interesting to see the fan reaction to PCA if he is still rolling as hot in late July.”
So expect long lines for Swanson, Crow-Armstrong, Michael Busch, Kyle Tucker, and former Cubs greats Andre Dawson, Shawon Dunston, Billy Williams, and Carlos Zambrano.
The basketball lineup is always strong at The National and this year there is a special treat with Giannis and his Antetokounmpo brothers all signing during one session.
The basketball will feature such legends as Julius Erving, Patrick Ewing, Allen Iverson, Kevin McHale and Dominque Wilkins, as well such stars as Chauncey Billups, Vlade Divac, Ron Harper, Rodman, Dwight Howard, Antoine Walker, and current star Tyler Herro.
The 2025 TRISTAR Autograph Pavilion is the biggest ever in terms of names and name recognition, Mintz said, with “some of the hottest celebs in sports making appearances: Giannis, PCA and Diana Taurasi, one of the greatest women hoopers ever.”
Two other legends from women’s basketball also will be appearing: Cynthia Cooper and Cheryl Miller.
From the college basketball world, signers include legendary coaches Jim Boeheim, Jim Calhoun, John Calipari and Rick Pitino.
“I always say, focus on the hard-to-get [autograph signers] and those who are older because you might never get another chance,” Mintz said. “Have patience [in the lines] and focus also on the players or celebs you enjoyed rooting for.”
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Suggestion: Consider the Platinum Ticket Package from TRISTAR, which has great content and first-in-line priority. “You will save hours of time,” Mintz said.
Number of autographs that will be signed in the public area: 65,000
Number of 8-x-10 photos signed: 7,000
Number of baseballs signed: 5,000 public and another 6,500 privately.
Number of footballs signed: Over 1,000
Number of basketballs signed: Over 1,000
Autograph guests who may sign more than anticipated: Divac, Steve Spurrier, Mike Garrett, Edgar Martinez, and Eric Gagne
Autograph guests who likely will be getting autographs themselves: Reggie Jackson, Johnny Bench, and Joe Theismann.
Popular Demand: Miguel Cabrera will be making his first card show appearance in 20 years.
Biggest Signer: Giannis Antetokounmpo
“Probably the biggest name at the show who has never done one, certainly of this magnitude. He and his brothers will be very big and will sell out. I am really looking forward to meeting him,” Mintz said.
College basketball coaches: “These guys are American coaching icons; it’s pretty cool to have them at The National. They are all going to dinner the night before. … I would love to have a seat at that table,” Mintz said.
For tickets and the latest news and updates, please visit TristarProductions.com/National.