By Cameron Lee
August 25, 2025
During the pandemic, many rediscovered hobbies that sparked childhood joy and nostalgia. Sports trading cards, in particular, experienced an unprecedented boom, fueled by stimulus checks, extra downtime, and a search for alternative investments.
While the collectibles market has cooled slightly from its pandemic-era peak, the industry remains strong. The sports memorabilia, trading card, and Pokémon card sector is valued at $33.6 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $271.2 billion by 2034, according to research firm Market Decipher. Mega-events like Fanatics Fest continue to draw star athletes and influencers from around the globe, helping to strengthen the collectibles industry. Here in the Carolinas, Spencer native and North Rowan High School alum James Ferree is making his mark on the scene through Sports Wax Promotions.
This September, Ferree’s Sports Wax Promotions and Wilder Side of Sports will host one of the region’s largest collectibles gatherings — the Southeast Collectors Showcase at Cabarrus Arena in Concord (September 20-21). The two-day event features an all-star lineup of guests, including NFL Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor; Hornets legends Muggsy Bogues and Kemba Walker; former Mets Cy Young winner Doc Gooden; college football icon Rocket Ismail; Cowboys great Drew Pearson; WWE personality Kelly Kelly; the NBA’s tallest-ever player Gheorghe Mureșan; former Tar Heel great and NBA player Ty Lawson; and many more.
From Small Shows to Large Regional Conventions
Ferree grew up collecting comic books and sports cards, but like many others, he was pulled back into the hobby during the pandemic after discovering “breaking,” where collectors buy into packs or boxes on live streams and share cards.
“It was just very exciting,” Ferree said. “I did a lot of that and ended up with some cool cards I didn’t want to sell online.”
That excitement inspired Ferree to host his own card show in 2021. His first event in Statesville featured just 35 tables at a Ramada Inn. Within months, demand forced a move to the larger Charles Mack Center in Mooresville. By the third show, they had nearly tripled in size — and Ferree knew he had tapped into something special.
“I looked at my buddy Scott, and he looked at me and said, ‘James, I think we’ve got something.’”
What to Expect at the Southeast Collectors Showcase in Concord
The Southeast Collectors Showcase will feature more than 500 vendor tables filled with sports cards, Pokémon, vintage toys like He-Man and G.I. Joe, Funko Pops, framed jerseys, baseballs, bats, and other rare collectibles. Both seasoned dealers and up-and-coming vendors will be on hand, creating a diverse and exciting marketplace experience.
Fans can also bring old baseball cards, autographed memorabilia, or other pop-culture collectibles for on-site evaluation. Pristine Auctions, one of the industry’s largest auction houses, will be accepting consignments, while James Spence Authentication (JSA) will provide professional autograph verifications.
Content creators and influencers in the collectibles space — such as Bryan Friedman of Talon Sports Cards and rising personality Dr. Collectible — will also be part of the action, producing live content and interacting with attendees.
Partnering with Wilder Side of Sports
Ferree’s shows took another leap forward after teaming up with Mike Wilder of Wilder Side of Sports in 2024. Wilder, known for securing big-name athletes at events across the region, has helped Sports Wax Promotions bring major stars to North Carolina.
“He (Mike) was doing some big stuff in Ohio. He’s doing events in Greenville. He had some people down in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina…so I reached out to him, and we started talking numbers,” said Ferree. “Eventually, we came to an agreement. That’s how we got Lawrence Taylor, Kemba Walker, Muggsy Bogues, Doc Gooden, Kelly Kelly, and Gheorghe Mureșan.”
That’s right — fans will have the rare opportunity to meet and take a photo with the NBA’s tallest player, Gheorghe Mureșan (7’7”), alongside the NBA’s shortest, Muggsy Bogues (5’3”). For younger attendees, or those less interested in sports, giant Pokémon characters like Eevee, Gengar, and Pikachu will also be available for free photo ops.
How Much Are Tickets, Photos, and Autographs?
General admission tickets for the Southeast Collectors Showcase are just $11.99 (fees included). A VIP pass ($39.99) includes early access, free parking (normally $8 per vehicle), and a swag bag with gifts and special offers.
Autographs are sold separately, ranging from $30 to $160 depending on the guest and item, while photo ops cost between $30 and $100. Ferree will also be giving away sealed card packs, boxes, and even tickets to the Panthers vs. Falcons home opener on September 21.
Confirmed special guests include Lawrence Taylor, Kemba Walker, Muggsy Bogues, Doc Gooden, Drew Pearson, Kelly Kelly, Joe Horn, Rocket Ismail, Ty Lawson, Rickey Jackson, Robert Brazile, Haywood Jeffires, and Gheorghe Mureșan. You can view the full list of autograph and photo ticket prices here.
A Family Affair and What’s Next for Sports Wax Promotions
Sports Wax Promotions has remained a family-run business since day one. Ferree’s wife, son, and niece helped at the first show, and today, siblings, in-laws, nieces, and nephews all pitch in to keep the growing events running smoothly.
For Ferree, the shows are more than just business. They’re a mix of childhood nostalgia, community, family, and opportunity — a marketplace that supports local vendors while giving fans the chance to meet legends they grew up watching.
Looking ahead, Ferree hopes to expand the Southeast Collectors Showcase to other cities, including Charleston, Knoxville, and Jacksonville.
Check out more info on the Southeast Collectors Showcase, coming to Cabarrus Arena in Concord, North Carolina, September 20-21, presented by Sports Wax Promotions and Wilder Side of Sports.
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