Alt Sets Record with $3.15 Million Purchase of Iconic Kobe Bryant Card
In a landmark move for the trading card industry, Alt, the foremost marketplace dedicated to high-end trading cards, made headlines by acquiring a 1997 Kobe Bryant Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems (PMG) Green PSA 5 for a staggering $3.15 million. This transaction marks a new pinnacle in the realm of sports memorabilia, making it the highest price ever recorded for a solo Kobe Bryant card in any sale, public or private. Previously, the record stood at $2.4 million, making this recent acquisition all the more significant.
The particular card in question comes from Kobe Bryant's second season in the NBA and is among a mere ten green PMG parallels produced in the iconic 1997 Metal Universe set. Widely labeled as one of the most prestigious basketball cards ever created, its acquisition was carried out through a private transaction and will be securely stored in the Alt Vault located in Delaware.
Alt first initiated its sports card fund back in 2021, establishing itself as a pioneer in investing in elite cards as an alternative asset class. This endeavor commenced years ahead of the recent influx of high-profile entries into the sector. Notably, the fund has now secured record-setting cards for four of the most influential players in modern basketball: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Leore Avidar, the Founder and CEO of Alt, expressed his sentiment regarding the acquisition, stating, "The Kobe PMG Green was the card you dreamed about growing up. It adorned every collector's wall, was featured in every price guide, and topped every wish list." He continued, emphasizing that purchasing this card was not solely a personal achievement, but a reflection of the evolving landscape of the trading card market, where premier assets are increasingly being recognized as serious commodities.
This acquisition comes amid a notable rise in institutional and prominent interest in sports cards as viable financial assets. The global market for sports memorabilia and trading cards is currently estimated to be valued at approximately $14.9 billion, with projections indicating an increase to around $52.1 billion by 2034, as reported by CardBiz. The occurrence of record-setting sales has become commonplace, with over a dozen cards surpassing the $1 million mark just in 2026 alone.
Alt, recognized for providing collectors with the market's quickest cash advances on their collections, conducts weekly auctions that ensure consistent liquidity. The company also offers secure vault storage and a lending program that allows collectors to leverage their collections without needing to sell. Powered by Alt Value, a proprietary pricing technology utilized by collectors, auction houses, and institutional buyers alike, Alt is effectively reshaping the financial landscape of the trading card market. This platform treats trading cards with the seriousness they deserve as assets.
Founded in 2020, Alt has rapidly gained recognition as a leading marketplace for high-end trading cards. Collectors leverage Alt's services to obtain swift cash advances, consign cards for weekly auctions, and manage their collections securely. In 2021, Alt's dedicated investment fund was launched with the aim of acquiring the most culturally significant cards within the hobby, underscoring the company’s commitment to supporting the evolving trading card market.
With such groundbreaking transactions as the recent acquisition of the Kobe Bryant card, Alt is not only paving the way for individual collectors but also demonstrating the growing potential of trading cards as an investment vehicle. As the sports memorabilia market continues to experience surging interest, Alt stands at the forefront, ready to meet the demands of a new generation of collectors and investors.