Security tight at The National after recent sports cards theft

CLEVELAND—The National Sports Collectors Convention is a lot of things to different people. For many, it’s rows and rows of showcases stocked with trading cards. For others, it’s all about ripping packs in the breakers pavilion or collecting autographs and snapping a photo with their favorite athlete.

There was another notable feature at this year’s five-day show at the I-X Center in Cleveland: Extra security.

After thieves allegedly made off with $2 million worth of baseball cards at July’s Dallas Card Show, both dealers and collectors were on heightened alert at The National. Theft has been an issue at big card shows in recent years, with Gizmo’s Sportscards the victim of $100,000 worth of cards stolen at the 2022 National in Atlantic City, and auction house Memory Lane Inc. the victim of another $2 million in stolen cards prior to the Strongsville Card Show in Ohio earlier this year. 

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Safeguarding valuables is certainly a top priority at this year’s show.

Joel Painter, who helps run Breakers Rowe Sports Cards and is attending his 13th National as a dealer, did just that. He said having a camera on his showcases works as “a deterrent.” He also had a safe to secure his cards.

“You have to have your head on a swivel,” he said. “Don’t get distracted.”

At this year’s show, some vendors even hired security guards and Cleveland police officers could be seen walking the sprawling showroom floor in addition to private guards and I-X Center staff. While show organizers did not go into further detail about security, dealers said they were assured that a series of strict procedures were put in place to deter theft.

“We’ve always prioritized security having police and detectives roam the I-X and show floor,” said NSCC spokesman Ray Schulte. “Cameras were installed at the entrance and we cannot emphasize everyone being vigilant throughout the week.”

At a show where many carry lots of cash and cases stocked with trading cards and sports memorabilia worth millions of dollars, dealers are nonetheless on high alert. While theft at large shows is nothing new, the Dallas robbery had many going to great lengths to prepare themselves to make sure they don’t become a crime victim.

Ashish Jain, who owns Legacy Cardz, was the victim of the theft in Dallas. In surveillance video of the heist, three men were spotted distracting staffers while a fourth nabbed the briefcase that contained the cards.

Jain said the case contained Jackie Robinson and Mickey Mantle cards. The case also included a 1952 Topps Mantle card worth an estimated $175,000. Another six Mantle cards—worth about $400,000 in total—were also stolen at the show held at the Marriott Dallas Allen Hotel & Convention Center in Allen, Texas.

Jain, who was set up at the National, said he even hired a security guard and brought his safe with him to store inventory.

“We typically have a safe, but we didn’t have one in Dallas,” Jain said. “We also have a security guard with us this time.”

Jain said that overall security at the National has always been good, but that individual dealers need to do what they can to add an extra layer depending on their budget.

“It makes it easier to do the show, especially when you’re setting up and breaking down, when you know there’s an extra pair on eyes on everything,” he said.

Other dealers installed small security cameras, a cheaper alternative to private guards. Aside from increased security and cameras, another way to guard against theft is insurance—something more and more collectors are buying.

“Many of the customers we have on-boarded this past year have mentioned to us they have personally experienced a loss to their collection or know someone that has,” said Dan Lorber, co-founder and CEO of Stadium Insurance, which specializes in collectables. “Typically, the most common causes of loss are fire and theft. As the value of memorabilia has significantly increased over the past few years, these items are now targeted similar to jewelry and artwork.”

Lorber, who is also a collector, said his company has “seen a direct increase in quote volume from the day the Dallas theft was publicized on social media and believe this has been a wake-up call” for everyone in the hobby.

“The fact that these collectibles in many cases are worth more than jewelry, cars, and in some cases, their homes, it would be absolutely devastating to have a loss,” he added. “There is a significant amount of exposure with owning collectibles, as you will see individuals walking around the National with a significant amount of their net worth in their Pelican case.”

Brian Dwyer, president of Robert Edward Auctions, said his company has had security and insurance in place for years.

“We do it for the big shows,” he said. “We have had a security plan for years given the type of inventory we have.”

Asked about the National’s security plan, Dwyer said having more officers and undercover security patrolling the aisles was a very good thing.

“It’s a big job to manage such large crowds and everyone is doing their best,” he said.

Lorber, meanwhile, said insuring sports cards and memorabilia has increased since 2019.

“In the last five years, we have seen an increase in collectors who view collectibles as a legitimate investment or holder of value in the same way as other assets they own,” he said. “They now realize they must insure these items similar to other assets such as jewelry, artwork and real estate.”

Lorber said every dealer “should have an insurance product in place for their inventory” regardless how big or small the collection. His company, for example, insures photos, autographs, trading cards and game-used apparel and equipment.

“It’s simply too difficult to keep an eye on every card in your inventory when you have a ton of traffic at a show and multiple customers asking to check out the cards in your cases,” he said. “Not only do you have the risk of theft at the show, but risk with shipping and the transit of your collection to and from the show. As we saw with the Dallas theft, it is easy to get distracted and if you’re targeted you can see how a theft could happen.”

Dwyer, who said he has had insurance on his personal collection for 15 years, said everyone involved in the hobby should look into getting a policy.

“It’s good to have and hope you never need to use it,” he said.