How Alex Morgan’s Trading Card Made WoSo Collecting Explode
Throughout her time on the pitch, Alex Morgan has proven that women’s sports deserve just as much respect as men’s; she’s broken barriers, paved the way for other incredible female athletes, and helped fight for equal pay.
But, as one of the most recognizable athletes in men’s or women’s sports, her star power also appears in the world of trading cards. And in case you’re wondering, trading sports cards is not just a hobby from the nineties, according to Parkside Collectibles co-founder Matt Peek.
“The more our lives become digital, the more we find ourselves clinging to analog collectibles. They are an extension of our interests, our lives, and our passions. It’s something that we really, really need to have and hold and covet and share and love,” said Peek. “Name recognition that transcends the sport itself brings people to the hobby in a beautiful and organic way. People who have never watched a soccer game can probably tell you who Alex Morgan is. If they’re looking for a keepsake or collectibles to add to their menagerie to chronicle this time, it’s Alex Morgan.”
And with Morgan’s retirement, trading cards become a living memento of our heroes. Her San Diego Wave trading pack is already sold out. But it’s not just the act of trading and collecting cards that is important to fans, says Peek.
“Alex Morgan signing the trading card they [young fans] pulled out of the packet…they get to share that moment with their hero. There are paths that are going to be completely forged forward by those exchanges. And up until now, only one-half of the population really got to enjoy that.”
Matt and co-founder Eric Christensen launched Parkside Collectibles after Matt’s soccer-playing daughter, Sophie, wanted to find cards that celebrated women athletes when all the cards she could find were of men.
But we’re now seeing an amazing trend in trading: young boys and men make up a major percentage of the people buying women’s cards. Up until now, men have had a century of cards, games, mementos, and keepsakes of their favorite male athletes available. Today, because of the massive impact the NWSL has had on the country, women’s sports have taken center stage in the trading space.
But Peek also stressed that besides our favorite soccer superstars, cards should be about uplifting everyone on the team, even the players who aren’t yet household names.
“The collecting space really does force me to be better at making sure people are aware of how great all the players are…one of our mandates as a company has always been that every player deserves recognition. They’ve made it to the highest level. It’s worth celebrating in the loudest possible way.”
So, whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting out, now is the perfect time to get in on the action and celebrate the amazing achievements of women athletes like Alex Morgan. In the process, you might discover the star power of some newer athletes–the next generation of heroes.
Featured image via Getty Images
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