PSA Parent Company Collectors to Acquire SGC Grading

PSA is set to acquire one of its leading competitors in the trading card grading space.

Collectors, the parent company of PSA, has plans to acquire SGC Grading, sources told Sports Illustrated Wednesday.

Sources confirmed that an official announcement could be expected as early as Thursday.

First reported by Darren Rovell, the two companies will reportedly operate as separate brands.

Founded in 1991 to grade sports cards, PSA has grown to be the industry leader while establishing itself as the grader of choice for secondary market sales.

SGC was founded in 1998 and has cultivated a loyal following, especially among vintage card collectors.

SGC couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday evening.

2023 Grading Year in Review

Over 17 million items were graded across the four major graders in 2023 - which is up 19% compared to 2022.

Roughly 9 million sports cards (-6% YoY) and 8 million TCG (+ non sport) cards (+71% YoY) were graded.

— PSA graded 13.5m cards - up 21% YoY… pic.twitter.com/re60w7lHDV

— GemRate (@gemrate) January 3, 2024

According to third-party grading tracker GemRate, PSA owned 78% of the tracked market in 2023. SGC finished the year in third with 7% while CGC Cards finished behind PSA in a distant second with 10% of the market.

Once a major power in sports card grading, Beckett finished 2023 with just 4% of the market share.

According to GemRate, PSA graded 13.5 million items in 2023 while SGC graded 1.2 million.

In addition to operating PSA, Collectors, formerly known as Collectors Universe, owns Goldin Auctions and video game grader WATA Games.