Game-Worn Jerseys
Sport Memorabilia is a large business today. There are lots and lots of collectors who make their money on these items. Collecting cards, game-used jerseys, helmets, uniforms, autographed baseballs…you name it.
There are both collectibles made by companies and then items used in the actual event called Game-Used Memorabilia. If it has to do with sports, someone is probably collecting it and trying to make money off of it. Some people do this on the internet by setting up their own web page, posting items for bidding on eBay, or posting advertisements on sites such as Craigslist in the hopes of shipping their memorabilia to customers all over the world. Some have simply opened up store front shops where customers can walk in, look at, and bid on or outright purchase some sport memorabilia.
In terms of the people collecting these valuable items, some have no biases and are prone to collect items from any and all sports while some only focus on one or two sports. Another option is to concentrate on a particular team or player and only collect game-used memorabilia from that particular niche. Whichever route the collector takes, there is usually one of two motives in place. Either the collector has a sentimental attachment to the player or team, or they are trying to time the market, buy low and make a profit in the future.
The sport memorabilia industry as a whole is a debated one. It has lead to many hateful and corrupted collectors who have lost the spirit of sportsmanship and what collecting is really about. Many professional collectors will use children at games to try and sucker the players into signing as many bats or balls as possible, the old sympathy card method. It is pathetic, but a player now knows if a 45 year old man wants three bats and two balls signed, he is probably trying to make money and that is not what it is all about. People will wait as long as hours after games to get a glance at a player and maybe an autograph just to turn around the next day and flip it on the open market to make a quick buck.
The MLB, NFL, NHL and NBA are trying their best to authenticate things like a game-worn jersey and other items as to stop the circulation of forged autographs that are being passed around the market. Kudos to the major sports leagues that are stepping in and regulating the sport memorabilia industry. Without this there would be too many collectors spending hard earned money on an autographed baseball that was signed by thief instead of their favorite ball player.