eBay Acquires Goldin; PSA Acquires eBay Vault in Unfolding Deal

Collectors Holdings is selling Goldin Auctions, a New Jersey-based collectibles marketplace, to eBay, marking the first acquisition of a sports collectibles-focused company by the company. The deal also includes the sale of eBay's vault to PSA. The deal is expected to close simultaneously between now and the end of June. eBay claims that the move will support more streamlined buying, selling, grading, and storage experiences for all who participate in the trading card hobby in the United States.

The arrangement will allow US-based collectors and dealers to list items for sale as soon as they are authenticated and graded by PSA if they desire. This partnership will benefit the hobby above all else, making collecting safer, easier, and more fun. After the deal closes, PSA will fold its existing vault services with eBay's vault program into a newly branded offering, including integrated selling and grading services.

The acquisition marks eBay's first purchase of a sports collectibles-focused company, although the company did announce an investment in trading card consignment platform COMC in November of last year. It marks the latest twist in an eventful period for Collectors and Goldin, with the latter acquiring Collectors in an $853 million deal in February 2021 and Goldin receiving a $40 million investment in January 2023.

Ebay remains a giant in the world of online commerce and auctions, with over 135 million users worldwide and a gross merchandise value (GMV) sold in the US alone last year reaching $8.89 billion. However, eBay hasn't had much of a presence in the world of sports collectibles valued at over six-figures. Acquiring a sports-focused auction house that has been selling six and seven-figure items on a regular basis for years could be a pathway for the company to do that.