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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.
