Invest in Curry, Russell, and Messi

Welcome to the new and improved Sports Cards Insider – FREE Version. Fewer words, fewer emails, more actionable info, other ways to invest in the athletes, and a weekly trading update to complement this rundown of IPOs.

This time, we’re covering investment opportunities for two great basketball players, and the greatest footballer of all time:

  • Stephen Curry 2009 Topps Chrome Refractor PSA 10
  • 2014 Panini Prizm World Cup Green Crystal Prizm #12 Lionel Messi PSA 10
  • Bill Russell 2003-04 UD Exquisite Auto /6 BGS 9

Insiders get one dedicated email for each asset with more analysis, comps, and full valuations. We also give the AA Verdict for each card: a straight up Yes or No.

Stephen Curry 2009 Topps Chrome Refractor PSA 10

About the Asset

This is a PSA 10 graded copy of a Stephen Curry 2009 Topps Chrome refractor. Limited to a print run of 500, this is number 92. Of those 500 cards, 29 are graded PSA 10.

For this asset, Insiders also learned:

  • Projected growth trend
  • Full valuation
  • Asset class volatility
  • Our verdict on the asset as an investment

About the drop

This asset will drop on Collectable on 29th June 2021 at 8pm EST. It has a market cap of $139,250 with no retained equity. It will be locked up for around eight weeks before trading daily.

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About Stephen Curry

We’ve written about Curry quite a bit. Refresh your memory on Stephen Curry if you’d like.

Recent sales history and Valuation

Inferred value is between $100k and $150k.

Other ways to invest

Stephen Curry is a blue chip long term investment for sure. If you’re not keen on the drop above, here are a few other interesting options.

The 2009 – 10 Panini Prestige card looks sharp and is an alternate rookie. Look for it under $200.

The 2009 Upper Deck Draft Edition is another nice alternate rookie. Look for PSA 9s under $300.

2014 Panini Prizm World Cup Green Crystal Prizm #12 Lionel Messi PSA 10

About the Asset

This is a PSA 10 graded copy of a a 2014 Panini Prizm World Cup Messi card. The Green Crystal Prizm parallel printed 25 cards, and this is number six.

For this asset, Insiders also learned:

  • Projected growth trend
  • Full valuation
  • Asset class volatility
  • Our verdict on the asset as an investment

About the drop

This asset will drop on Otis 29th June 2021 at noon EST. There is no retained equity.

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About Lionel Messi

Messi is, in my opinion, the best footballer ever. I went into some depth on him if you’d like to refresh your memory.

Recent sales history and Valuation

Inferred value is between $45k and $65k.

Other ways to invest

Lionel Messi is as blue chip as they come. If you want to invest in the greatest footballer of all time, his rookie card is trading at a significant discount to Inferred Value on Otis right now. Current market cap is around $40k, while inferred value is $73,200.

The same card will trade on Rally early August if you prefer that platform.

Bill Russell 2003-04 UD Exquisite Auto /6 BGS 9

bill russell upper deck exquisite

About the Asset

This card comes from the outrageously popular 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite set (LeBron James etc). Russell actually has four cards in this series:

  • Exquisite Foursomes – numbered /10 featuring Russell, Bill Walton, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Patrick Ewing
  • Exquisite Triple Patch – numbered /10 featuring three patches
  • Exquisite Patches Autographs – numbered /100 featuring an autograph
  • Exquisite Number Pieces Autographs – numbered to the player’s jersey number (in Russell’s case /6)

Not bad for a guy who retired in 1969.

This card is 6/6 and graded BGS 9. There are no higher graded versions of the card, and you’ll typically see a slight premium for the jersey number version of the card (number six here).

For this asset, Insiders also learned:

  • Projected growth trend
  • Full valuation
  • Asset class volatility
  • Our verdict on the asset as an investment

About the drop

This asset will drop on Collectable on 30th June 2021 at 8pm EST. It has a market cap of $110,000 with $50k retained equity. It will be locked up for around eight weeks before trading daily.

Add IPO to calendar

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About Bill Russell

Bill Russell is one of the greatest NBA players of all time. His achievements are staggering. Bill Russell:

  • Won 11 NBA championships in 13 years including eight straight.
  • Won five MVPs
  • Was a twelve-time All Star
  • One of only two players to fetch more than 50 rebounds in a game
  • Is still second all time in both rebounds and rebounds per game
  • Was the first African American superstar in the NBA
  • Was the first African American coach in the NBA
  • Was elected to both the NBA and NCAA Halls of Fame

The NBA Finals MVP award is named after him, and the NCAA had to rewrite the rulebook to counter his dominance. He was also a world-class high jumper at University of San Francisco (where he won two NCAA titles).

Recent sales history and Valuation

Inferred value is between $50k and $300k.

Other ways to invest

Russell may well be a good investment. Call me a traditionalist, but I think the best way to invest in a vintage player is via actual vintage cards. Here are a few options.

You can pick up a PSA 2 graded rookie card from the 1957 Topps set. Make an offer under $6,500.

The 1961 Fleer set did a cool card for Russell featuring him flying through the air. It’s far cheaper than his standard card from the set. Make an offer under $800 for a PSA 5.

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Author

Wyatt Cavalier

Wyatt Cavalier

With a background in finance & intelligence analysis, Wyatt has an unhealthy obsession with finding the best blue chip investment opportunities. His previous newsletter, Fractional, resonated deeply with subscribers, bringing actionable insights and unconventional trading strategies. His rare book collection specializes in banned editions. He currently lives in Spain with his beautiful wife, three young boys, and dog Monty.

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