Sports Card Dealers
NBA star Victor Wembanyama drives sales at Boomtown Sports Cards, hot San Antonio collectibles market
SAN ANTONIO—There’s no question who’s leading the “hot” category here for collectors. There’s Victor Wembanyama, and then everyone else.
The San Antonio Spurs’ second-year player and 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year is a hobbyists’ dream, especially locally.
Anything and everything tied to Wembanyama is hot, hot, hot. With no signs of cooling off.
WembyMania is madness, said Victor Nava, 39, owner of Boomtown Sports Cards & Collectibles.
“In San Antonio, we are on the front lines, so we see all the hype front and center. He is already a legend here in town; he is so beloved. He is a humble kid and we all love him.”
Wembanyama, the 7-4 center who will turn 21 on Jan. 4, is already regarded as one of the greatest NBA prospects in a generation. Many NBA insiders have tagged him the most anticipated newcomer to the league since LeBron James in 2003.
Wembanyama, a France native, brings an amazing mix of height, length, speed, ball-handling skills and agility. He was the first overall pick by the Spurs in the 2023 NBA Draft.
He was unanimously named the 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year, finished second in the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year voting to teammate Rudy Gobert, and was the first rookie ever named to the All-Defensive First Team.
“Having the San Antonio Spurs here, it really helps drive sales for San Antonio items,” Nava said.
Boomtown Sports Cards celebrates its third anniversary in January, with collectibles throughout the 1,600 square-foot store, which is filled with cards (high- and low-end boxes and packs), memorabilia, collectibles and more.
The top five teams among local collectors are the Spurs, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks.
The top five athletes for local collectors are Wembanyama, Tim Duncan, David Robinson, C.J. Stroud and Tony Parker.
The San Antonio collectibles market is ever growing, Nava said.
“I foresee some very big shows happening in town. San Antonio is starting to get recognized for its collecting community,” he said.
Boomtown Sports Cards is a major sponsor for every card show held in San Antonio.
“We set up at the show and promote the shop while handing out free gifts,” Nava said. “The San Antonio collecting [market] is different than other places. I have traveled and gone to shows in other places … San Antonio is very laid back. Many locals are willing to work with other collectors. It’s a nice [collecting] community.”
Born and raised in San Antonio, Nava held his first in-store signing session this past September when multiple TNA Wrestling stars appeared.
“It was an incredible experience to have headliners in the shop, interacting with guests. Everyone was extremely nice. We really appreciated the opportunity,” Nava said. “It was exciting to watch the TNA stars opening packs with kids in the shop. It made their day.”
The signing session also featured a pack war involving TNA star Nic Nemeth.
“That was our first [in-store signing] and definitely not our last,” Nava said. “The locals loved it and are asking for more.”
Local collectors also would love an Wembanyama in-store appearance, again.
“Fanatics held a private event for us where he came into the shop and we were able to have a 20-minute session with him opening cards and trading with kids. That was a highlight of the shop,” Nava said.
Boomtown this fall was the site for an amazing pull of a 1-of-1 Wembanyama card that has gotten offers for more than $25,000, Nava said.
Wembanyama played for France at the 2024 Summer Olympics, held in his native Paris, and helped France reach its second consecutive final. He scored a team-high 26 points in the final, but the U.S. pulled away late in the fourth quarter. France had to settle for a silver medal. Wembanyama was named the tournament’s Rising Star and a member of the All-Star Five.
Nava said the top five boxes at Boomtown have been Topps Mercury Basketball ($10,000), Panini Prizm Basketball ($1,200), Panini WWE Select ($250), Topps Chrome Basketball ($650) and Panini Select Football hobby ($700).
“The card shop experience has evolved over the last five years,” Nava said. “There used to be a theme of old, moody card shop owners and good customer service was never expected. We turned things around and focused on our customers. They are always a priority over everything. When you come to Boomtown, you’re treated like family and we do our best to make you feel that way every single day. Customer service is a priority.”
