Recent insights from the sports collectibles realm indicate a burgeoning interest in trading cards associated with female athletes, particularly Caitlin Clark of the University of Iowa. According to Dan Hajducky of ESPN.com, this trend is contributing positively to the overall women’s memorabilia market in sports, especially basketball. The initial signs of this growth can be observed through the increased volume of cards submitted for professional grading, signaling that collectors are preparing to sell their items at competitive prices.
Data from Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) highlights a significant uptick in the grading of WNBA cards. Between January and September 2024, PSA graded approximately 58,000 WNBA cards. In a striking contrast, the same period in 2025 saw this number nearly triple to around 159,000. PSA President Ryan Hoge noted Clark’s remarkable presence in the collectibles market, stating that she is now ranked among the top 10 athletes in terms of cards graded across all sports, an unprecedented achievement for a female athlete. She currently ranks as PSA’s second-most-graded basketball player this year, following basketball legend Michael Jordan.
Furthermore, eBay’s General Manager for U.S. Collectibles, Ron Jaiven, reported that during the last NCAA basketball season, three of the four most sought-after college athletes on the platform were women. This statistic raises questions among auction houses and industry experts about whether the rising interest in women’s collectibles may extend beyond basketball to other sports as well.
Eric Shemtov, General Manager for Sports at the livestreaming shopping platform WhatNot, expressed optimism about the future of women’s sports collectibles, noting that increased viewership of women’s sports could bolster market interest further.
The current data underscores a significant shift within the sports collectibles market, highlighting the potential for women’s memorabilia to gain greater recognition and financial value. The sustained momentum observed over the past years points to an evolving landscape where female athletes like Caitlin Clark can inspire a new generation of collectors and fans alike.
