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Barry Sanders, Detroit Tigers legends highlight successful Detroit Sports Spectacular
Barry Sanders received a thunderous round of cheers, a standing ovation from fans who were already standing, when he was introduced on Saturday, June 8.
The former Detroit Lions star running back was the headline autograph-signer at the inaugural Detroit Sports Spectacular June 7-9 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Mich.
Sanders lived up to his Hall of Fame status, signing more than 450 signatures, the most of all signers at the three-day, star-studded convention that featured baseball, football, basketball and hockey signers, plus representatives from boxing and pro wrestling.
“I was happy. The show was a success, starting with the [number of] fans attending, plus the number of dealers and athletes,” said Brian Schwartz of Schwartz Sports, the show promoter. “The show was better than expected. The Saturday [crowd] was a Chicago-sized crowd.”
The Detroit Sports Spectacular featured appearances by former Lions running back Billy Sims, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins and NFL legends Joe Montana and Thurman Thomas; Tigers legends Kirk Gibson, Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker along with Baseball Hall of Famers Andre Dawson and Jim Kaat; former Detroit Pistons star Ben Wallace; former Detroit Red Wings and NHL greats Vladimir Konstantinov, Mike Modano and Darren McCarty; and pro wrestling star Kevin Nash, among others.
After Sanders, the top signers were Michigan running back Donovan Edwards, Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold and Trammell. Schwartz said it was the most autographs Sanders has signed at a public show since his Hall of Fame induction year in 2004.
The Tigers Super Ticket for members of the 1984 World Series-winning team was a surprising success, Schwartz said. Other former Tigers appearing included Doug Bair, Juan Berenguer, Milt Wilcox, Tom Brookens, Jack Morris, Howard Johnson and Darrell Evans, among others.
“We saw that there was the demand/interest in a major show in Detroit, and the plan now is to make it an annual event,” Schwartz said. “The thirst for the big, major card show is still there.”
The Detroit Sports Spectacular drew an estimated crowd of 6,000 and Schwartz said plans are to return to Detroit next May or June. And Detroit will be an annual show destination, he said.
What about expanding to other cities?
“I wouldn’t say ‘No,’ but I’m not going to do it just to do it. I put a lot of thought into coming to Detroit,” Schwartz said. “I’m open (to expanding into new markets), but I’m not trying to put on a card show every month. If it made sense, yeah, we could do more.”
Schwartz said the show drew a large number of walk-up autograph ticket buyers, particularly for Arnold and Trammell.
None of the five current Tigers who were announced for the show appeared. Two were sent to the minors days before the convention, and three others had to attend a mandatory team meeting Saturday morning during their scheduled signing period. Despite trying to reschedule, nothing could have been done. Schwartz said he is working with a local hobby store to arrange a signing session with the three in the Detroit area this summer.
About 200 dealers were selling their wares at the show, with Detroit-centric collectibles ever-present. The show also featured Pristine Auctions, Heritage Auctions and JSA.
Here’s a look at some of the souvenirs and memorabilia available:
• 2023 University of Michigan National Champion hats: $20.
• 2023 Detroit Lions NFC North Champion hats: $30.
• Autographed jerseys: Lawrence Taylor ($350), Patrick Kane ($450), Aidan Hutchinson ($300), Barry Sanders Pro Bowl ($750), Patrick Mahomes ($1,400), Shohei Ohtani ($3,000), Kirk Gibson ($575) and Dennis Rodman ($275).
• Tom Brady autographed Jerseys: New England and Tampa Bay ($2,700 each), University of Michigan ($2,400).
• Larry Bird-signed Boston jersey ($200); Magic Johnson-signed Michigan State jersey ($150).
• Autographed jerseys of Doug Gilmour or Shea Weber: $250 each.
• Andruw Jones autographed ball: $45.
• Bobby Hull-signed 8-x-10 photo: $20.
• Cool cards: 2017 Leaf Pearl signed by Gordie Howe, Barry Sanders and Al Kaline: $1,200.
• 1990 Upper Deck baseball box: $25.
• 2022 Spectra Jared Goff card (graded 8): $35.
• 1968 Detroit Tigers Yearbook and 1968 World Series program: $100 combined.
• Game-used Heinz Field Pole Banner: $100.
• Autographed batting helmets: $100 each for Dave Winfield, Evan Longoria or Alan Trammell.
• Caitlin Clark plaque: $8.
• Jimmy Howard bobblehead: $25.
• Ronaldo or Messi framed 3D pictures: $20.
• Detroit Lions Super Bowl shirt: $10.
• Authentic replica of the Old Oaken Bucket given annually to the winner of the Indiana-Purdue football game: $100.
• 1983 Topps Football wax box: $450.
• 1988 Topps Football cello box: $250.
• 1987 Topps Football rack box: $700.
• 1988 Topps Football wax box: $200.
• Factory-sealed box of 2023-24 Upper Deck Connor Bedard Collection: $40.
• Packs of 2023-24 Upper Deck Series 1 Hockey: $12.
• Packs of 2023-24 Upper Deck Series 2 Hockey mega packs: $18.
• Packs of 2023-24 O-Pee-Chee Hockey: $14.
• Vintage commons for 50-cents each. I bought two, for no particular reason: Chico Salmon and Ron Taylor.
• Dick Butkus signed 8-x-10 photo: $60.
• Reggie Jackson-signed 1969 Topps cards with autograph authentication 10: $450.
• Signed 2012 Leaf Pop Century cards from the stars of the TV show Pawn Stars: Rick Harrison ($250), Richard “Old Man” Harrison ($350), Corey “Big Hoss” Harrison ($250) and Austin “Chumlee” Russell: $250.
• Gordie Howe-signed UDA puck: $99.
• 1970 O-Pee-Chee CFL Football pack (graded 8): $2,500; or 9 grade for $5,000.
• Graded Packs: 1986 Fleer Basketball wax (7) $2,800; 1985 O-Pee-Chee Hockey wax (7) $275; 1984 Topps Baseball wax (9) $89.
• Wayne Gretzky-signed 1994 Upper Deck jersey, numbered 725/999: $1,895.
• 2015-16 Upper Deck Hockey Series 1 Hobby box: $950.
• Signed Funkos: Cody Rhodes ($160), Julius Erving ($175), Ice Cube ($175), Bubba Wallace, Jr. ($60) and Justin Fields ($100).
• Ohio State replica helmet signed by Jaxon Smith-Njigba, with Beckett COA: $150.
• 1989 Score Barry Sanders card: $45.
