Ken Goldin Flips OUT + Breakers RUIN Another Product
Who is Ken Goldin in the Sports Card Industry?
Ken Goldin is one of the most well-known figures in the sports card and memorabilia industry. He is the founder and executive chairman of Goldin Auctions, a premier auction house specializing in high-end sports cards, collectibles, and game-used memorabilia.
Ken Goldin's Background & Career
- Founder of Goldin Auctions (2012) – Established one of the top sports memorabilia auction houses, handling rare and high-value items.
- Pioneer in the Sports Card Boom – Helped drive record-breaking sales in the 2020-2022 sports card market explosion.
- Hosted Netflix Series "King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch" (2023) – A behind-the-scenes look at high-end sports memorabilia auctions.
- Sold Some of the Most Expensive Sports Cards Ever – Involved in record-breaking sales, including a $12.6 million 1952 Mickey Mantle card.
- Acquired by Collectors Holdings (2021) – Goldin Auctions was acquired by Collectors Holdings, the parent company of PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator).
Goldin Auctions' Impact on the Hobby
✔ Handles multi-million dollar auctions for ultra-rare sports cards and memorabilia.
✔ Promotes the hobby to mainstream audiences through social media and TV.
✔ Influences the market by setting price records and legitimizing sports cards as investments.
Notable Sales by Goldin Auctions
- 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle SGC 9.5 – $12.6 million (2022)
- 2003-04 LeBron James Rookie Patch Auto (RPA) BGS 9 – $5.2 million (2021)
- Luka Dončić 1/1 Logoman Auto Rookie Card – $4.6 million (2021)
Ken Goldin's Biggest Auctions & Impact of His Netflix Series
Ken Goldin’s influence on the sports card and memorabilia industry has been massive, especially in recent years. His auction house has set multiple records and helped bring sports collectibles into the mainstream through his Netflix series, "King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch" (2023).
Biggest Auctions by Goldin
Goldin Auctions has handled some of the most expensive sports cards and memorabilia sales in history. Here are some of the most notable:
Record-Breaking Sports Card Sales
| Card | Sale Price | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle SGC 9.5 | $12.6 million | 2022 |
| 2003-04 LeBron James RPA (BGS 9) | $5.2 million | 2021 |
| Luka Dončić 1/1 Logoman Auto Rookie | $4.6 million | 2021 |
| Patrick Mahomes 2017 Rookie Auto BGS 8.5 | $4.3 million | 2021 |
| 2009 Bowman Chrome Mike Trout Superfractor (BGS 9) | $3.9 million | 2020 |
Memorabilia & Other Collectibles
- Michael Jordan’s Game-Worn 1998 NBA Finals Jersey – $10.1 million
- Tom Brady’s Final Touchdown Ball (later voided) – Originally sold for $518,000, but was refunded after Brady came out of retirement.
- Babe Ruth’s 1920s Game-Worn Yankees Jersey – $5.64 million
Goldin Auctions has also expanded into Pokémon cards, pop culture memorabilia, and historical collectibles.
Impact of "King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch" (Netflix, 2023)
Ken Goldin became a mainstream figure thanks to his Netflix docuseries, which showcases high-stakes auctions, rare collectibles, and behind-the-scenes negotiations with celebrities and collectors.
Key Effects of the Show on the Hobby
✔ Brought more investors into sports cards – Many new collectors became interested in high-end cards.
✔ Increased mainstream media coverage – Featured celebrities and athletes who collect, boosting hobby awareness.
✔ Expanded beyond sports – Showed Goldin Auctions handling rare movie props, historical artifacts, and pop culture memorabilia.
✔ Drove up demand for rare and high-end items – More collectors started chasing premium graded cards.
Guest Appearances in the Show
The series featured major sports and entertainment figures, including:
- Drake – Opened boxes of rare 1986 Fleer Basketball packs.
- Peyton Manning – Discussed the value of historic football memorabilia.
- Logan Paul – Showed off his ultra-rare Pokémon Illustrator PSA 10 card ($5+ million value).
- Mike Tyson & Ric Flair – Discussed the collectible value of boxing and wrestling items.
In early February 2025, the 2024 Panini Prizm WNBA "First Off the Line" (FOTL) trading card boxes were released through a Dutch auction on Panini's official website. The auction started at $3,000 per box and decreased in price every five minutes until the product sold out. The boxes eventually sold out at a price point of $2,200 per box.
Reports from collectors suggest that breakers—individuals or companies who purchase unopened boxes or cases of trading cards to open live for participants who buy spots in the break—played a significant role in purchasing a substantial portion of this product. By acquiring these boxes at $2,200 each, breakers can offer spots in group breaks at a premium, potentially yielding higher profits.
This strategy allows breakers to capitalize on the demand for high-end products like the Prizm WNBA FOTL boxes, offering collectors the chance to own rare cards without purchasing an entire box themselves.
In the 2024 Panini Prizm WNBA card set, collectors are particularly excited about several key chase elements:
1. Caitlin Clark Rookie Cards: Caitlin Clark's rookie cards are among the most sought-after in this release. Her exceptional college basketball career has generated significant anticipation for her professional debut, making her rookie cards highly desirable.
2. Color Blast Inserts: The Color Blast inserts are ultra-rare and feature vibrant, artistic designs. These super short-print (SSP) cards are a major highlight for collectors due to their scarcity and visual appeal.
3. Prizmania Inserts: Making their debut in the WNBA Prizm series, Prizmania inserts are short-printed and available exclusively in retail configurations. Their unique design and limited availability add to their allure.
4. New Parallel Variants: The 2024 set introduces new parallels, including:
- Pink Velocity (#'d/79)
- Black Velocity (#'d/39)
These numbered parallels offer collectors additional rare variants to pursue.
These elements combine to make the 2024 Panini Prizm WNBA set particularly exciting for collectors, offering a range of rare and visually striking cards to chase.
