The WNBA collectibles market is really taking off as a new season kicks off. Panini, the exclusive producer of WNBA trading cards, is banking on the popularity of Caitlin Clark to keep driving interest. Since obtaining the license in 2019, Panini has seen a massive increase in sales of their WNBA products.
According to eBay, Clark was the third most searched athlete on the platform in April, only behind Michael Jordan and Jayden Daniels. Her two Prizm WNBA base cards were among the most transacted sports cards online during that month. Panini is capitalizing on Clark’s popularity by expanding their WNBA card portfolio to include four traditional sets, with the addition of Donruss and a high-end product later this year.
The addition of Donruss means big names like Clark will be featured in the popular Downtown insert series, which is expected to attract collectors beyond just WNBA fans. Funko has also jumped on the WNBA bandwagon by releasing their first set of WNBA figures, with players like Clark, Angel Reese, A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and Lauren Jackson among the initial offerings. Clark’s card sales have been skyrocketing, with her most expensive card selling for $366,000, setting a new record for any women’s sports card.
Despite Clark’s dominance in the market, players like Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers, and Cameron Brink are also seeing increased interest. Reese’s rookie card prices have gone up by 9.4 percent in the past 30 days, ranking her third among all basketball players in terms of price increase. Panini’s expansion in the WNBA market comes at a crucial time as they prepare to lose licensing for the NBA and NFL.
The average price for a 2024 WNBA Prizm hobby box has been almost double that of a 2024-25 Prizm NBA hobby box, showcasing the growing demand for WNBA collectibles. Panini has seen significant growth in sales since taking on the WNBA license in 2019, with their investment in players like Clark paying off big time. The future looks bright for the WNBA collectibles market as more fans and collectors show interest in the league’s memorabilia.
