Comprehensive 2014 National Sports Collectors Convention Guide
Overview
Running Wednesday, July 30 to Sunday, August 3, the 2014 National Sports Collectors Convention is the biggest sports card and memorabilia show of the year. Cards, memorabilia, autograph signings -- none are in short supply.
This year, the National is being held at the International Exposition Center in Cleveland. Collectors will have more than 350,000 square feet of tables, booths and displays to explore. More than 600 dealers and 50 corporate booths are slated to be there.
As with past Nationals, collectors from all over the world will be there. You'll also have a shot at lots of exclusive cards not available anywhere else. The Autograph Pavilion features signings and photo ops with stars from all major sports including boxing.
2014 National Sports Collectors Convention Tickets
- Single-Day Tickets: $18 in advance, $22 at the door
- VIP Package: $129 in advance, $139 at the door
- Super VIP Package: $179 in advance, $189 at the door
- All Access VIP Package: $229
- All Access Super VIP Package: $279
- Kids 12 and Under: Free
Click here to buy advance tickets and get package details.
2014 National Sports Collectors Convention Hours:
- Wednesday, July 30: 4PM - 8PM
- Thursday, July 31:10AM - 6PM
- Friday, August 1: 10AM - 6PM
- Saturday, August 2: 10AM - 6PM
- Sunday, August 3: 10AM - 5PM
Directions:
Here's a map to show you how to get to the 2014 National Sports Collectors Convention
Hotels
Heading to Cleveland and need a place to stay? Here's a map with nearby hotels.
Other Things to Do in Cleveland:
Cleveland Indians:
There's no shortage of baseball happening during the National. The Seattle Mariners are in town July 29 to 31. The Texas Rangers than come to town for a weekend series. Click on the links to shop for tickets on eBay.
- July 29 vs Seattle Mariners at 7:05 PM
- July 30 vs Seattle Mariners at 7:05 PM
- July 31 vs Seattle Mariners at 7:05 PM
- August 1 vs Texas Rangers at 7:05 PM (fireworks, $1 hot dog night)
- August 2 vs Texas Rangers at 7:05 PM (Jim Thome Statue giveaway)
- August 2 vs Texas Rangers at 1:05 PM
Museums
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (located in Canton, which is less than a two-hour-drive)
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- Baseball Heritage Museum
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Museum of Contemporary Art
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Cards
You'll have no shortage of exclusive cards and promos available at the 2014 National Sports Collectors Convention. It's tradition that virtually every major manufacturer have special cards for the event in some form. These usually start with small promo sets in bags given to VIP pass holders. There are also plenty of incentives available through wrapper and box redemptions as well as other promotions.
Below is a company-by-company list that we'll add to as more announcements are made.
It's important to remember that supplies for exclusives are often limited and can run out. You may want to consider allotting time for lineups.
Exclusive 2014 National Sports Collectors Convention Cards
Follow the links below to shop for cards on eBay.Â
Leaf
Leaf has a four-card set marked for VIP packages. The checklist includes Johnny Manziel, Jadeveon Clowney, Damian Lillard and Victor Oladipo.
 
Another six cards will be offered at the Leaf booth through a redemption program. Leaf will have a massive presence on the show floor including a store. Box purchases come with special Leaf Bucks and entries into various draws.
Andrew Wiggins collectors are in luck as Leaf has produced a five-card set for the 2014 NBA first overall pick. There are also autographs available.
Panini
Panini has a six-card set for VIP and Super VIPs. Each VIP package has a coupon that can be redeemed at Panini's corporate booth for the set. The checklist includes six rookies:
Blake Bortles
Dante Exum
Jose Abreu
Masahiro Tanaka
Panini is once again going all in with a major wrapper redemption set. The 60-card set includes rookies numbered to 499 and ten Rookie Memorabilia cards numbered to 99. While many of the set's details are still under wraps, it's likely there will be plenty of autographs and unique memorabilia cards included. Check Panini's blog for updates.
Rated Rookies
Collectors who open a box of 2014 Donruss Baseball at the Panini booth will receive a specially stamped pack of the the wrapper redemption Rated Rookies. There's a limit of 50 Rated Rookie packs each day. The redemption starts at 5:00 PM.
These special packs have the same three players as the original wrapper redemption (Masahiro Tanaka, Jose Abreu and Yordano Ventura). However, these cards have a foil National stamp added to the front.
To help promote basketball products, Panini has produced an exclusive set of Tools of the Trade Update memorabilia cards. Among the cards is the first LeBron James Cavaliers card since he announced he was returning to the team.
Collectors who bust a qualifying NBA box at the Panini booth starting at 4PM each day receive a Tools of the Trade Update pack. There's a limit of 220 each day.
Click here for an overview of Panini's plans for the National.
Press Pass
NSCC VIPs will find a five-card set from Press Pass based on Redline Racing. Drivers include:
Jeff Gordon
Jimmie Johnson
Tony Stewart
PSA
PSA has produced five "Cards that Never Were" for a promotion at the 2014 National Sports Collectors Convention:
1935 Diamond Stars Babe Ruth
1936 Diamond Stars Joe DiMaggio
1936 Diamond Stars Lou Gehrig
Each of the cads comes encapsulated in a PSA holder and has a print run of 500. They're available through a Collectors Club membership promotion at the PSA booth.
Sage/Cardboard Connection Radio
Sage and Cardboard Connection Radio have teamed up to produce a set of ten exclusive football cards. VIP gift bags come with one of nine cards. Collectors who bring their card to the Cardboard Connection Radio booth (M-1) receive a special checklist card.
2014 Sage Cardboard Connection Radio National Checklist:
N1 Le'Veon Bell
N2 Blake Bortles
N3 Teddy Bridgewater
N4 Derek Carr
N5 Jadeveon Clowney
N7 Eddie Lacy
N8 Sammy Watkins
N9 Terrance West
Checklist
Topps
Topps has produced a set of eight exclusive cards. Collectors get one for opening three packs of 2014 product at the Topps booth. All products except 2014 Topps Opening Day and 2014 Topps Mini Baseball qualify.
The wrapper redemption checklist includes:
Jim Brown
Jordan Cameron
Jadeveon Clowney
Derek Jeter
Johnny Manziel
Mike Trout
The cards have a design similar to 2014 Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball.
2014 Topps Allen & Ginter Box Breaks
Those who open a box of 2014 Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball at the Topps booth will receive one of two exclusive promos. They feature Masahiro Tanaka and Jose Abreu.
 
For the third year in a row, the shrunken version of the flagship Topps Baseball set will make its debut at the National. The cost is $50 per box. Collectors who purchase a box of the miniature product can also obtain a jumbo version of  a "The Future is Now" insert.
Upper Deck
Upper Deck hasn't released much in the way of details for the VIP set, but there will be one and it has six cards. The players in the set are:
Ken Griffey Jr.
LeBron James
Johnny Manziel
Tiger Woods
Upper Deck has made a 20-card set for the National. Each day of the show has four different cards. To get a pack, collectors will need to buy five packs of 2013 Fleer Retro Football, 2014 SPx Football, 2014 Upper Deck Football, 2013-14 Fleer Retro Basketball, 2013-14 SP Authentic Basketball, 2013-14 SP Authentic Hockey, 2014 SP Authentic Golf, 2014 Goodwin Champions or a pack of 2014 SP Game Used Golf to get a voucher for a redemption pack. Packs must be bought from an approved Upper Deck Diamond Dealer.
Autographs are randomly inserted in packs. Upper Deck also teamed with Amazon.com to add about 100 additional autographs to what was originally planned.
Additionally, instead of a redemption pack, collectors can choose a limited-edition LeBron James card that honors his decision to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers. This "Welcome Home" card features part of his Sports Illustrated essay.
We'll add details on more exclusives as they're announced.
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Autographs
2014 National Sports Collectors Convention Autograph Schedule
The Autograph Pavilion, once again hosted by Tristar, is where collectors can meet stars from several major sports. Hall of Famers, champions and local favorites are are going to be present.
Those who buy VIP and Super VIP packages get free autographs from select signers.
Rates for autographs and photo ops vary greatly. Be sure to check the Tristar website not only for rates but for possible restrictions, time changes and possible cancellations as well. This is also where you pre-order autograph tickets.
Wednesday, July 30
Carlos Baerga 4:30 PM
Dale Murphy 4:30 PM
Kevin Mack 5:15 PM
Billy Sims 5:45 PM
Thursday, July 31
Howard Johnson 10:30 AM
Andy Van Slyke 10:30 AM
Rick Waits 10:30 AM
Andre Reed 11:00 AM
Paul Warfield 11:00 AM
Jason Giambi 11:30 AM
Willie Roaf 11:45 AM
Fred Biletnikoff 12:00 PM
Dermontti Dawson 12:15 PM
Paul Krause 12:30 PM
Eric Dickerson 1:00 PM
John Riggins 1:15 PM
Len Dawson 1:30 PM
Nick Buoniconti 2:00 PM
Dan Dierdorf 2:00 PM
Joe Theismann 2:15 PM
Jack Youngblood 2:15 PM
Fred Dean 2:30 PM
Joe DeLamielleure 2:30 PM
Bruce Smith 2:30 PM
Lem Barney 3:00 PM
Steve Largent 3:15 PM
Friday, August 1
Rod Carew 11:00 AM
Cris Carter 11:00 AM
Kenny Lofton 11:00 AM
Dave Winfield 11:15 AM
Wade Boggs 11:30 AM
Frank Robinson 11:30 AM
Sonny Siebert 11:30 AM
Eddie George 12:00 PM
Warren Sapp 12:30 PM
Tony Dorsett 1:00 PM
Carlton Fisk 1:00 PM
Jim Thome 1:00 PM
Dennis Rodman 1:15 PM
Jim Stillwagon 1:15 PM
Bobby Knight 1:30 PM
Jim Rice 1:30 PM
Jim Palmer 1:45 PM
Deion Sanders 1:45 PM
Dennis Eckersley 2:00 PM
Archie Griffin 2:00 PM
Al "Bubba" Baker 2:30 PM
Joe Charboneau 2:45 PM
Tom Browning 3:00 PM
Thurman Thomas 3:00 PM
Jim Kelly 3:30 PM
Jerry Lucas 4:00 PM
Saturday, August 2
Terry Francona 11:00 AM
Bob Griese 11:00 AM
Kenny Lofton 11:00 AM
Mike Singletary 11:00 AM
Brooks Robinson 11:15 AM
Jason Kipnis 11:30 AM
Pedro Martinez 11:30 AM
Milt Plum 11:30 AM
Sugar Ray Leonard 11:45 AM
Julius Erving 12:00 PM
Bobby Hull 12:15 PM
Earl Campbell 12:30 PM
Cal Ripken Jr. 12:30 PM
Barry Sanders 1:00 PM
Randy Johnson 1:15 PM
Jim Brown 2:00 PM
Tom Glavine 2:00 PM
Tommy Hearns 2:00 PM
Reggie Jackson 2:15 PM
Hanford Dixon 2:30 PM
Al Oliver 2:45 PM
Rickey Henderson 3:30 PM
Bobby Cox 4:00 PM
Roberto Duran 4:00 PM
Randy White 4:00 PM
Ricky Williams 4:00 PM
David Justice 4:15 PM
Eric Metcalf 4:30 PM
Jake LaMotta 4:45 PM
Sunday, August 3
Joe Greene 11:00 AM
John Hannah 11:00 AM
Joe Morgan 11:00 AM
Mike Tyson 11:00 AM
Gary Bell 11:15 AM
Jack Lambert 11:15 AM
Johnny Bench 11:30 AM
Jeff Burroughs 11:30 AM
Andy Russell 11:30 AM
Jerome Bettis 11:45 AM
Franco Harris 12:00 PM
Tony Perez 12:00 PM
Roberto Alomar 12:30 PM
Jack Ham 12:30 PM
Pete Rose 12:45 PM
Rocky Bleier 1:00 PM
Gordie Howe 1:30 PM
Hines Ward 1:30 PM
Al Kaline 2:00 PM
Joe Torre 2:15 PM
Ralph Sampson 2:30 PM
Mike Hargrove 2:45 PM
Len Barker 3:00 PM
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Special Events
There's plenty happening at the National outside of shopping, meeting friends and snagging autographs. Here are some of the highlights:
Cardboard Connection Radio
In addition to broadcasting throughout the National, the Cardboard Connection booth (M-1) will have plenty of giveaways and special guests.
On Saturday, August 2, members of the Baseball Heritage Museum in Cleveland will be at the booth. The museum showcases contributions Negro, Hispanic and Women's leagues made to baseball. The museum's director, Vern Fuller, who played for the Cleveland Indians, will be signing autographs. The cost is a $5 donation with proceeds going to the museum. Ultra Pro will be providing supplies for the autograph session.
Artist, Sean Kane, will be on hand on Sunday, August 3. He owns Painted Glove Collectibles and will be making a piece on-site. Collectors will have a chance to win a one-of-a-kind piece.
Ultra Pro
Ultra Pro will be running several raffles and promotions. This includes an autographed Ozzie Newsome full-sized football helmet raffle and LeBron James 2009 MVP Bobblehead raffle at the GT Sports booths (#2132 and #2136), along with an autographed Brian Hoyer football raffle and autographed Carlos Santana bat raffle at the Lin Terry Trading Corp booths (#1137, #1236, #2340 & #2342). All items will come in Ultra Pro memorabilia displays.Â
They will also have a variety of products available for sale at the GT Sports and Lin Terry booths, including the new mini-card pages and 2014 Allen & Ginter Binder with exclusive cards. In addition to providing supplies for the Cardboard Connection Radio signing with Vern Fuller, they will be providing team bags for the CC Radio exclusive card set. Full details can be seen here.
Upper Deck
Lots will be happening throughout the National at the Upper Deck booth. Collectors can get personalized trading cards made of themselves. The Kids Zone area gives young collectors the opportunity to draw their own cards. Other Upper Deck events include a special case breaker promo, a man cave display and more. Full details are posted on their blog.
Topps
Meet and Greet - Thursday, August 1
Collectors have a chance to ask questions and address concerns directly with Topps staff. Alan Narz is the host and facilitator. He'll also be giving away prizes. To attend, you need to sign up in advance at the Topps booth.
Case Break Pavillion
Case breakers get their own area at the 2014 National. Covering 12,000 square feet, it's located in the corporate area. This will mean a steady stream of case breaks throughout the event. There will also be three 70" TVs broadcasting breaks.
On Saturday, August 2 at 11AM, Panini is hosting the Grand Case Break. There will be two breaks, one for 2013-14 National Treasures Basketball and another for 2013-14 Prime Hockey. NHL Hall of Famer Bobby Hull is scheduled to be on hand.
Jaspy's Hobbyland - Jefferson Burdick Signed Letter Giveaway
Jaspy's Hobbyland is offering up a double-sided handwritten letter signed by Jefferson Burdick. It will be given away during a live break of 2014 Super Break Baseball Deluxe Edition, which is scheduled to broadcast live from the 2014 NSCC Case Break Pavillion. The break has ten slots and one of the participants will get the letter. Collectors can find out more at the Jaspy's Hobbyland website. They will also be set up at the show at booths #1469 and #1471 in the Case Break Pavillion.
Heritage Platinum Auction
Heritage Auctions is once again hosting a live high-end auction in conjunction with the 2014 National. Held at the House of Blues on Thursday, July 31, it costs a $100 donation to attend with admission proceeds going to Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland. Doors open at 6PM with the auction starting at 7:30PM. To RSVP, email Heritage Auctions.
SCP Auctions
SCP Auctions will be displaying several items from their upcoming August 6 auction. Among them is a jersey worn by Johnny Manziel in six games during his Heisman season. Also on display will be seven Cleveland Spiders baseball photos once owned by Cy Young. Both the Manziel jersey and the photos have an estimated value of $100,000.
SCP will also have a 1956 Cleveland Browns team-signed ball and a Gerry Cheevers game-worn WHA jersey from his time with the Cleveland Crusaders.
Stay tuned for details on more events as they're announced.
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