Sports trading cards used to be physical cards that you could collect, buy, or trade. Top Shot has made sports cards digital and they’re no longer just a photo. You can now own your favorite moment in basketball or one of your favorite player’s highlight play in their career.

The Creation

The beginning of Top Shot started in 2019 when the NBA partnered with Dapper Labs. The NBA gave Dapper Labs highlights which then became digitalized to create this new crypto-collectible “card.” The collectibles are made with a digital blockchain the same way digital currency is made. Top Shot has already made more than $230 million in sales according to Caty Tedman, head of marketing for Dapper Labs. The reason for the high sales numbers is because of trades after the initial price. This trading lead to its boom.

During the pandemic, buying and selling sports cards was already making a comeback. Top Shot just elevated the game. Basic collectibles are sold as a $9 pack while rare collectibles are in $230 packs. There are particular plays that every member of the Top Shot community gets but to make money you need to find a limited play. In order to not saturate the market, Dapper Labs has specific drop dates for packs. To create scarcity, each collectible/play has a limited amount.

This new market has become the place for fans, collectors, and money makers alike. More and more people sign up for Top Shot because of the money making potential it has while also being a part of history.