Fans left appalled as Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese impact ramps up WNBA trading card box prices
The WNBA is in high demand thanks to the arrivals of newcomers Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese – and that has an impact on more than just ticket prices.
Collectors are now furious as trading card giant Panini has priced its new WNBA box sets at $3,000 through a Dutch auction.
“The players couldn’t even afford a box,” one X user joked about the set, which features the images of both WNBA rookies.
For those unfamiliar with Dutch auctions, the process dates back to ancient Babylon, but became popular in the Netherlands in the 17th century. Instead of starting with a low amount and working your way up, a Dutch auction starts with a higher amount before dropping until bidders find a price they like.
The process aims to determine the fair market value of a product, and in this case it helped the box set go from a reported $750 to $3,000.
Collectors are furious because Panini has priced its new WNBA box sets at $3,000
“That is absolutely absurd,” another X user wrote. “But the problem is that people will buy. These companies only feel their bottom line. STOP BUYING.’
Another user joked that “that used to buy a WNBA franchise.”
Clark’s popularity also has other implications for the WNBA.
Most notably, the league is expanding the regular season from 40 to 44 games. It will also expand the playoffs from a best-of-five series to a best-of-seven tilt – a departure from the current format used since 2005.
In addition, the league says the first round of the playoffs – a best-of-three series – will now adopt a 1-1-1 format, with teams alternating hosting matches.
“We are seeing incredible demand for WNBA basketball as reflected in the number of cities pursuing expansion franchises, fans attending games and engaging with our social and digital platforms in record ways, and game broadcasts and streams being consumed like never before,” the spokesperson said. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
This will also lead to more games the league can sell to its four television partners: Disney/ESPN, Amazon, Paramount/CBS and Scripps/Ion.