Burbank Sports Cards is one of the largest and most well-known sports card stores in the world. Located in Burbank, California, it’s considered a Mecca for sports card collectors because of its massive inventory and long-standing reputation in the hobby.

🏆 Key Facts About Burbank Sports Cards

  • Founded: In 1981 by Rob Veres.
  • Location: Burbank, California.
  • Inventory: Over 40 million cards in stock — one of the largest single inventories in the world.
  • Specialty:
    • Modern and vintage sports cards (baseball, basketball, football, hockey, and soccer).
    • Non-sports cards (like Pokémon and TCG).
    • Raw and graded cards.
    • High-end singles and common sets.
  • Online Presence: They operate a massive eBay store with over 3 million listings and sell directly through their own website.
  • In-Store Experience: The physical store is known for being well-organized and having a huge selection of both low-end and high-end cards.

🌐 Why Burbank Sports Cards is Important

✅ Massive Selection – They’re known as the “card warehouse” because they literally have millions of cards available for immediate purchase.
✅ Efficient Organization – Unlike most card shops, their inventory is cataloged and easy to find — they pride themselves on their quick turnaround for online orders.
✅ Rob Veres' Influence – Rob is considered a pioneer in the hobby, helping shape the modern marketplace and setting the standard for online card sales.
✅ High Volume Seller – Their eBay store sells thousands of cards weekly, including low-end singles and premium graded pieces.
✅ Graded & Raw Cards – They handle both raw and graded cards, which makes them appealing to all kinds of collectors.

🔥 Burbank Card Show

  • Burbank Sports Cards also organizes the Burbank Card Show — one of the fastest-growing and most important trade shows in the hobby.
  • The show attracts major dealers, card manufacturers, and collectors from around the world.
  • The 2024 show saw record attendance and sales.

💡 Why Collectors Love Burbank

  • Their pricing is often fair — not underpriced, but competitive.
  • Their inventory allows you to fill sets and find specific cards easily.
  • For high-end cards, they are trusted because of their reputation and longevity in the industry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Burbank Sports Cards is important to the sports card hobby because it serves as a cornerstone of the modern collecting ecosystem — influencing how cards are bought, sold, and valued at both the retail and collector levels. Here's why it's so significant:

🏆 1. Massive Inventory and Accessibility

  • Burbank Sports Cards maintains one of the largest single inventories of sports cards in the world — over 40 million cards.
  • They have everything from common base cards to high-end graded grails, spanning across multiple sports and eras.
  • Their size and organization make it possible for collectors to fill sets and find specific cards that are hard to track down elsewhere.

➡️ Example: If you’re trying to complete a 1986 Fleer Basketball set, Burbank probably has those last few commons you need.

💻 2. Industry-Leading eBay Presence

  • Burbank’s eBay store has over 3 million active listings — one of the largest sports card inventories on the platform.
  • They process hundreds of thousands of orders annually with fast shipping and reliable service.
  • Their pricing often sets the market for low-end and mid-range cards since they sell in such high volume.

➡️ Example: If Burbank lists a raw 2020 Prizm LaMelo Ball rookie at $40 and it sells fast, other sellers will adjust their pricing accordingly.

🎯 3. Trusted in the Hobby — Sets the Standard for Condition & Authenticity

  • Founded in 1981 by Rob Veres, Burbank has built a reputation for accuracy and consistency in grading and descriptions.
  • Buyers and sellers trust that a card from Burbank will be accurately described and fairly priced.
  • They are known for maintaining high standards when handling and storing cards.

➡️ Example: If you buy a Near Mint card from Burbank, you can trust it won’t arrive with surface damage or poor centering.

🔥 4. Influence on Pricing and Market Trends

  • Because they sell such high volume on eBay and direct sales, Burbank's pricing often sets market comps.
  • If Burbank adjusts prices on a certain product or release, it can influence the broader market.
  • Their large inventory also makes it easier for them to respond to market shifts — adjusting prices based on demand and trends.

➡️ Example: If Victor Wembanyama’s rookie cards spike in value, Burbank will likely be one of the first sellers to adjust prices and inventory.

🎟️ 5. The Burbank Card Show — Expanding the Hobby

  • The Burbank Card Show is one of the fastest-growing trade shows in the industry.
  • The show attracts major manufacturers (Topps, Panini), influencers (Geoff Wilson, Mojo Sports), and collectors.
  • It helps build community within the hobby and attracts new collectors.

➡️ Example: The 2024 Burbank Card Show had record attendance, becoming a must-attend event for major dealers and hobbyists.

💡 Why It Matters to the Hobby

✅ Burbank provides a reliable and steady source of inventory for both casual and high-end collectors.
✅ Their transparent pricing and large volume help stabilize the market.
✅ The Burbank Card Show adds value by growing the in-person side of the hobby.
✅ They give collectors access to everything from a $1 common card to a $100,000 PSA 10 Jordan rookie — under one roof.
✅ Their success proves that the sports card market can be scalable and professional when done right.

🔥 Bottom Line:

Burbank Sports Cards is more than just a store — it’s a market mover and a stabilizing force in the sports card hobby. They’ve built a reputation for reliability, scale, and professionalism that helps drive confidence and consistency in the market.

As of January 23, 2025, there are 2,303 sports card stores operating in the United States, reflecting a 3.69% increase from 2023.

rentechdigital.com

Distribution by State:

  • California: 219 stores (9.51% of the total)
  • Florida: 165 stores (7.16%)
  • New York: 143 stores (6.21%)

Ownership Structure:

  • Single-owner operations: 2,096 stores (91.01%)
  • Part of larger brands: 207 stores (8.99%)

This data indicates a thriving and expanding sports card retail market across the country.

Posted in Videos and tagged , , , , , , , , ,