Blackstone, Jay-Z Getting In on Collectibles

Collectibles are more valuable than ever, and so are the companies facilitating the industry.

Investment firm Blackstone said on Thursday it will acquire a majority stake in Certified Collectibles Group through its Tactical Opportunities business. The transaction values CCG at over $500 million. 

An all-star roster of sports figures and executives are getting in on the investment, including Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, Fanatics chairman Michael Rubin, Philadelphia 76ers president Daryl Morey, Miami Heat forward Andre Igoudala, and private equity firm SC.Holdings.

Certified Collectibles Group is a set of companies that verify and grade sports trading cards, comics, stamps, and other collectable items, greasing the wheels of the secondary market.

The sale is the latest sign of a continuing market boom.

• Goldin Auctions is being sold to Collectors Holdings — owned by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen — for an undisclosed sum. Collectors Holdings was taken private earlier this year at a $853 million valuation. 
• Trading card company Topps went public through a SPAC merger in April at a $1.3 billion valuation.

Blackstone, which has nearly $650 billion in assets under management, said it would work to grow CCG’s geographic reach, digital footprint, and product scope, as well as acquire new technologies.

Editor’s note: SC.Holdings is an investor in FOS.