Huge Crowds Gather in Cleveland
CLEVELAND – Best friends Knox Treboniak and Brayden Slyman were excited to attend their first National Sports Collectors Convention.
Just a 20-minute drive to the I-X Center, the two 12-year-olds entered Hobby Heaven when they got onto the show floor.
“It’s so nice. Everything is so organized,” Slyman said. “There are some good prices. I like buying cards. This is my first time coming here. It’s so fun.”
A big baseball card collector, Treboniak was thrilled to be at The National for the final two days on Saturday and Sunday. A fan of Michael Harris and Corbin Carroll, Treboniak was in a dealing mood.
“I’m trying to flip and pick up some newer stuff and bigger cards,” Treboniak said.
Slyman and Treboniak were thrilled to see such a large contingent of younger collectors at The National.
“It makes me excited seeing how many people enjoy collecting just like me,” Treboniak said.
The 44th annual National was the place to be for young collectors and seasoned veterans of The Hobby. Held in the city known for being the home of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland became the epicenter of the sports cards and memorabilia industry for five days. This marked the eighth time the show has been held in Cleveland.
“I’ve done 28 Nationals, and of the 28 Nationals, I’ve never seen a larger crowd than I’ve seen here,” said NSCC Board of Directors President Al Durso, who is also a dealer. It’s been amazing. It’s been everything I hoped for. People have been nice, friendly, and spending. I haven’t talked to a dealer who hasn’t had a good show.”
Best friends Knox Treboniak (left) and Brayden Slyman attended their first National this year and picked up a few items. (All Photos by Greg Bates)
Successful First Show
Attendance figures have yet to be announced, but a consensus amongst showgoers, dealers, and corporate staffers is that the event was one of the largest shows ever. Last year’s event in Rosemont, Illinois, broke the all-time attendance record, eclipsing 100,000.
This year was the first National for new promoters Jim Ryan, Brian Coppola, and Joe Drelich, who run JBJ Corporation. The three longtime dealers in The Hobby made every effort to give everyone in attendance the best event possible.
“We think it went very well,” Ryan said. There were huge crowds. I’m very excited to see everybody here. This is a very large crowd. We don’t have full attendance numbers in yet.”
Housed at the I-X Center—which was constructed in 1942 — a few familiar issues arose during the show. Sketchy cell service made it hard to make calls and send texts, and spotty internet made it difficult for collectors and dealers to look up recent comps for items. Also, traffic congestion outside the venue delayed entrance and exit times throughout the five days.
Despite glitches that popped up, dealers were happy.
“Sales have been great,” said Tom Daniels, who owns Baseball Card Shoppe in Madison, Wisconsin.
Daniel and his wife, Anita, are two of only three dealers to set up at all 44 Nationals — heard positive and negative feedback from fellow dealers.
“One guy said he did terrible; I don’t know what he had. Others are saying they did tremendous,” Daniels said. “I think you specialize and hit the right thing; you can do great. If you’ve got the wrong stuff, you can do bad.”
Dealers Anita and Tom Daniels have set up at all 44 National Sports Collectors Conventions. The Wisconsin couple enjoyed this year’s show in Cleveland.
Positive Feedback
Ryan received quite a few positive comments from dealers, corporate sponsors, and collectors.
“Most dealers seem pretty happy. I think the floor was very active,” Ryan said. “I talked to some corporates, and the corporates seem happy. They were active, too.”
In the corporate section, industry giants such as Fanatics/Topps, Heritage Auctions, PSA, and Goldin dazzled attendees with show-stopping displays.
Heritage’s booth, which featured Babe Ruth’s jersey from his famous “Called Shot” during the 1932 World Series, attracted endless attention.
“The crowds have been outstanding,” said Derek Grady, executive vice president of Heritage Sports. Sometimes, it’s two or three people deep at a booth. … The crowds are undeniably the biggest we’ve ever seen.”
Grady enjoyed seeing a variety of collectors at the show.
“It’s a lot of kids, a lot of families, a lot of people having a good time,” Grady said.
Collector Anthony Wright from Minneapolis thought the atmosphere was electric during the four days he attended The National.
“I think people are excited,” Wright said. “I think The Hobby’s good. It’s good to see a ton of kids trading and doing what they want to be doing; that’s what matters.”
Even Better Next Year
The National returns next year to Rosemont, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. A favorite location for most dealers because of its easy in and out at O’Hare International Airport, the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center has hosted the show seven times in the last 13 years. The next three Nationals in 2025, ’26, and ’27 will all be in Rosemont.
JBJ Corporation hopes to build off this year’s show and make it even better in 2025.
“We have plans in place to make new improvements and add more things to the show,” Ryan said. “Adding the dealer VIP party and the Trade Nights, we will spend the next 12 months thinking of new ideas and what else to add to the show in Chicago.”
