So you’ve decided you want to start a sports card collection. A natural question to ask is whether you should focus on buying baseball cards or football cards. There are pros and cons to consider with each option. Let’s take an in-depth look at baseball and football cards to help you decide which might be the better investment.
Baseball Card Pros:
Longer History – Baseball cards have been around much longer than football cards. The earliest known baseball cards date back to the late 1800s while the first football cards didn’t emerge until the 1930s. The longer collectible history of baseball lends it more nostalgia and mainstream appeal.
More Variety of Cards – With over 150 years of history, there are many more baseball cards to collect from many more seasons and players compared to football. This gives collectors way more options to pursue rare and valuable vintage cards from baseball’s early years.
Strong Resale Market – The resale market for high-end vintage baseball cards is very well-established thanks to the hobby’s longevity. Stars from the early 1900s through the 1980s still hold value as collectors seek out famous players like Honus Wagner, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and more. Buying the right baseball cards as an investment can pay off.
Stat Tracking Continuity – Baseball box scores and statistics have been meticulously tracked for over a century. This consistency of data makes it easy for collectors to verify information on vintage cards and compare players’ careers. Football stats weren’t consistently recorded until the 1930s and various NFL eras add complexity.
Football Card Pros:
Newer Stars Fetch Premiums – Whereas vintage baseball cards are highly coveted, newer generations are often more interested in modern-day football stars. Rookie cards and autographs of current NFL superstars like Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, and others can hold huge value while still in production.
Rapid Rise in Popularity – Participation and viewership of football continue growing faster than baseball. This increasing mainstream interest boosts the collectibles market, especially for modern and memorabilia cards showcasing today’s biggest players. Values have risen dramatically in just the past 10-15 years.
New Insert Sets – Innovative insert sets like prizm, phenoms, and national treasures featuring serial numbering, patches, and autographs rekindle interest in random packs among collectors chasing big hits. These lottery-ticket like inserts are rarer in baseball.
League Expansion – The number of NFL franchises has increased from 13 to 32 teams since the 1960 AFL-NFL merger. This means more player alumni, jersey swatches, and regional collecting interests over a larger geographic base.
Baseball Card Cons:
Saturated Market – With over a century of production, the baseball card market is very saturated. Finding affordable vintage gems requires more effort versus newer football cards. Prices of even common cards from the 1980s-90s can seem high.
Declining Interest Rates – Traditional baseball card shows, auctions, and other venues indicate waning interest among younger collectors being drawn more to other sports and hobbies. This could jeopardize future resale values.
Natural Disasters – Vintage baseball cards are highly vulnerable to natural disasters like flooding that can significantly damage stockpiles of unprotected cards stored in basements. This means condition is crucial for value.
Football Card Cons:
Shorter Track Record – While football cards offer modern hype, the market history is still maturing compared to 100+ years of baseball. Long-term value prospects aren’t as certain without another 50-70 years of data. Bubbles could easily burst.
Injury Risk – The physical nature of football means stars can suffer major injuries that abruptly end careers. If that happens before a big contract or after a hot rookie season, related cards can lose value. This risk is much lower in baseball.
Complex League History – Multiple defunct football leagues, franchise moves, team naming changes add layers of complexity when verifying details on older cards. This deters some casual collectors.
Focus on Current Players – Modern collector energy mostly surrounds today’s NFL players. Vintage 1960s-80s football cards haven’t attained the same nostalgia or price premiums as their baseball counterparts yet.
While baseball cards offer a very solid long-term investment due to their extensive history and proven resale market, football card prices are surging currently among collectors energized by new rookie stars. For speculation, football deliver excitement of tomorrow’s stars. But those seeking a lower risk collectible should target classic vintage baseball to bank on nostalgia holding value steady for decades. Much depends on your risk tolerance, budget, and specific interests as a collector. With dedication to researching condition and player track records, both hobbies can prove financially rewarding over time.
