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Caitlin Clark fever rises with another trading card surge
You’ve likely read Caitlyn Clark headlines and viewed at least a few clips of her hoop highlights. But are you fully aware—and appreciative—of the impact she’s having on sports as well as the collectibles hobby?
Clark was nothing short of amazing during her college career at Iowa. Starting as a freshman in 2020-21, she immediately showed her stuff—and she got progressively better. In her four years at Iowa, she averaged 26.6, 27.0, 27.8 and 31.6 points per game. She also got better every year as a passer, averaging 7.1, 8.0, 8.6, and 8.9 assists per game. Plus she averaged 7.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. In the process, she became a “must follow” athlete—a magnet who drew fans live at arenas and on TV screens alike. In fact, The Wall Street Journal crowned Clark “the GOAT of TV ratings” because every time Iowa played, viewership soared.
Last season, her first in the WNBA, the 6-foot, 150-pound hoop prodigy transitioned seamlessly, averaging 19.2 points, 8.4 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game. She quickly became the main reason for the packed houses at Indiana’s Gainbridge Fieldhouse (capacity: 17,274). Ryan Brewer, a finance professor at Indiana University Columbus, estimated that Clark was responsible for more than 25 percent of the WNBA’s revenue, counting attendance, merchandise sales and TV revenue. Her overall impact on Indianapolis, Brewer determined, was $36.5 million.
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Likewise, fans in the other 11 WNBA cities flocked to get an in-person look at Clark last season. As Newsbreak.com noted, her popularity “forced multiple teams to shift to bigger arenas due to fan demand and ticket sales.” For the upcoming WNBA season, which begins May 16, 2025, the Chicago Sky announced on Feb. 28 that it’s moving both home games against Clark’s Indiana Fever from their 10,387-seat Wintrust Arena (capacity: 10,387) to the double-sized Chicago Bulls United Center arena (capacity: 20,917).
That’s called “the Caityn Clark effect,” which is actually a thing. Wikipedia has even added a page called, yes, “Caitlyn Clark effect.” Wiki almost doesn’t need the “Clark.” She’s already attained “first-name-only” celebrity, as NBA stars Michael, Larry, Magic, Kareem and Shaq did long ago.
And what about the memorabilia hobby? Suffice to say she’s already become the most-collected woman in sports—ever. Clark rarities are drawing healthy bids and prices, as reflected on our Top 10 chart, which reflects a 2024-25 Panini Prizm Gold autographed rookie that fetched $30,100 on 66 bids. The ungraded card was one of only 10 produced.
That’s not all. Check out these prices paid in 10 other recent auctions:
• $16,969 for an 2024-25 Panini Instant autographed WNBA Draft ’24 card. It was marked #69/99 and ungraded.
• $14,500 for a 2024-25 Panini Select Draft Selections signed Pink Shimmer insert. The ungraded card was marked #4/5.
• $12,100 and $12,000 for two different ungraded 2024-25 Panini Prizm Snakeskin Prizm variations.
• $10,788 for a Panini Flawless autographed 1-of-1 card.
• $8,000 and $7,607 for two different 2024-25 Panini Select True Gold Prizms, one graded PSA 9 (#3/10), the other PSA 10 (#2/10).
• $7,359 for a 2024-25 Panini Select autographed Tie-Dye Draft Selections. Marked #5/25, it was graded PSA 10.
• $5,566 for a 2024-25 Panini Select Rookie Courtside Tiger Prizm card.
• $5,301 for a 2024-25 Panini Instant signed Rookie of the Year Jungle card marked #6/25 with an autograph authenticated and graded 10 by PSA/DNA.
TOP 10 CHART
1. $52,413 on 95 bids: 2004-05 Panini Megacracks (soccer) Lionel Messi (PSA 9)
2. $50,100 on 102 bids: 2000 Bowman Chrome Tom Brady with secondary-market autograph (PSA 10, auto 10)
3. $35,000 on 55 bids: 2019-20 Panini National Treasures Ja Morant, #78/99, auto patch (BGS 9.5, auto 10)
4. $31,655 on 66 bids: 1972-73 Topps Jerry West (PSA 10)
5. $31,123 on 80 bids: 1989-99 Skybox Thunder Michael Jordan Noyz Boyz (PSA 10)
6. $30,100 on 66 bids: 2024-25 Panini Prizm Caitlin Clark WNBA Rookie Autograph Gold, #1/10, auto (ungraded)
7. $28,656 on 72 bids: 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle (PSA 1)
T8. $28,100 on 120 bids: 2003-04 Topps Chrome LeBron James Refractor (PSA 10)
T8. $28,100 on 38 bids: 1986-87 Fleer Sticker Michael Jordan with secondary-market autograph (PSA authenticated)
10. $26,300 on 74 bids: 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle (PSA 4.5)
THE NEXT 10
• $25,855 on 58 bids: 1984-85 Star Michael Jordan (BVG 8)
• $23,100 on 45 bids: 1997-98 Upper Deck Game Jersey Michael Jordan, patch (PSA 8)
• $22,613 on 87 bids: 2005-06 Upper Deck The Cup Sidney Crosby, #78/87, auto patch (BGS 8/5, auto 10)
• $22,211 on 39 bids: 2013-14 Panini National Treasures Giannis Antetokounmpo, #19/25, auto patch (BGS 8.5)
• $22,200 on 73 bids: 2018 Topps Chrome Shohei Ohtani Blue Refractor, #29/150, auto (BGS 10, auto 10)
• $22,000 on 2 bids: 2020 Panini National Treasures Football sealed case
• $20,400 on 47 bids: 2009-10 Topps Stephen Curry, #779/999 (PSA 10)
• $20,101 on 33 bids: 2000 Playoff Contenders Tom Brady Rookie Ticket, auto (BGS 8.5, auto 10)
• $20,100 on 34 bids: 1985 O-Pee-Chee WWF Hulk Hogan (PSA 10)
• $19,770 on 46 bids: 1996-97 Topps Chrome Kobe Bryant Refractor (BGS 9)
