Why Do People Collect Sportscards? Fan Motivations for Collecting Miniature Sports Media

Bibliographic Data

ID13049535
AuthorsScott Parrott (0000-0001-6801-5207, University of Alabama, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume14
Issue1
Pages338-354
Publication date2025-01-15
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCommunication & Sport (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2167-4795 • E-ISSN: 2167-4809
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/21674795241309844
OpenAlexW4406482459
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited20

The sports card industry boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic when sports fans lacked access to sporting events. Estimates now place the value of the sports card industry in the billions. Sports cards raise compelling questions concerning fan behavior: Why collect cardboard photos of athletes? This study examines fan motivations for collecting sports cards by examining comments on Reddit, a social media platform centered around shared interests. Informed by the Uses & Gratifications approach, a thematic analysis was used to examine 326 comments concerning user motivations for collecting sports cards. Seven reasons were identified: Fans collect sports cards because (1) sports cards are educational; (2) fans identify with athletes; (3) sports cards can be a financial investment; (4) sports cards are addicting; (5) sports cards nurture social connection; (6) sports cards are entertaining, and (7) sports cards provide escape from mundane and stressful life events

Advertising · Athletes · Business · Social media · Sports marketing · World Wide Web · Computer Science · Digital Games and Media · Media Influence and Health · Medicine · Psychology · Sports, Gender, and Society · Marketing

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