Imagine being a kid who walks into a sports shop for the first time and is amazed by everything they see. Many people treasure the recollection of fresh packs’ aroma, the excitement of the unknown, and the prospect of discovering that one desired gem. For some people, this enthusiasm diminishes over time. But for others, like Derek Jeter and Tom Brady, the legendary NFL quarterback. It becomes something far larger.

Some sportsmen bring their childhood loves into their professional life in a world where goals are pursued and legends are created. They invest in the culture, history, and memories of the game as well as play it. Tom Brady and Derek Jeter rekindled their childhood hobby and built a great investment prospect. The impact? Inspiring as usual. But this time, they inspired the $288m shortstop who shared this common hobby. A change of perception, to view the hobby not just as a leisure activity but also as a vibrant economic prospect.

The hobby? To collect sports cards! Yes, we all have done it at some point. Even the $288 million MLB star did it in his childhood. Still wondering who?

Enter Bobby Witt Jr., All-Star shortstop for the Kansas City Royals under an astonishing 11-year, $288 million deal. Though his on-field talent is unquestionable, his off-field activities are drawing notice. Two of his childhood heroes—Tom Brady and Derek Jeter—significantly shaped Witt’s path into the commercial side of the sports card industry.

Motivated by Brady and Jeter’s efforts, Bobby Witt Jr. elevated his love of sports cards. He invested in CollX, a digital card price guide and marketplace, in February 2025. This action was about being part of a community and a culture he valued greatly, not just about business.

“It’s something that has always been a goal and dream of mine just to kind of have your own card shop.” Witt Jr. shared in an interview. “I’ve always been a collector since I was a kid, and got even more involved once my 1st Bowman card hit the market in 2020,” he said.

Legendary New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter has always been a collector at heart. His great love of sports memorabilia drove him to co-found Arena Club in 2022 with businessman Brian Lee. This creative tool connects the internet era with conventional card collecting.

Long before he became famous in the NFL, Tom Brady started his journey with sports cards. Brady, a young child in San Mateo, California, would visit nearby card stores, valuing the time spent going through packs and trading with buddies. His most recent project, CardVault by Tom Brady, was built on this early enthusiasm.

“CardVault isn’t just about buying and selling cards; it’s about bringing the passion of collecting to as many people as possible.” Brady said.

Having seen the zeal and commercial savvy of his heroes, Tom Brady and Derek Jeter, in the sports card field, Bobby Witt Jr.’s lifetime enthusiasm for the hobby naturally moved beyond personal collecting.

Bobby Witt Jr.’s CollX’: Merging passion with business

Bobby Witt Jr.’s involvement in the sports card hobby is always a part of his life. His enthusiasm is unquestionable, whether he is searching eBay for rare treasures, trading on his dedicated Instagram account, or visiting local card stores on road trips. Do you know? His “grail card,” a flawless 2000 Bowman Chrome Tom Brady rookie card graded a gem mint 10 by PSA, was a notable offseason buy resulting from this commitment. When he invested in the app, it made sense.

The active participation of high-profile players is driving significant changes in the sports collectibles sector. As an investor, advisor, and brand ambassador, Bobby Witt Jr. has joined CollX, a trading card app. His involvement is expected to increase CollX’s attractiveness to both experienced collectors and newcomers. Also, they recently raised $10 million, which is a significant amount.

“I love that there is finally an app to help collectors identify and organize their cards! I’m a lifelong collector, and wish I’d had CollX as a kid,” said Bobby Witt Jr. “The technology is amazing and helps anyone level up in the hobby.”

A developing trend in the sports collectibles market is athletes becoming active participants rather than merely souvenir subjects. Their participation may draw more supporters and help to create a closer community of collectors and professionals by bringing genuineness and new ideas. Expect greater creativity and dynamic growth of the hobby as more athletes participate.