Darren Rovell is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and the founder of cllct (pronounced Collect), the first media outlet devoted to the 550-billion dollar collectible and memorabilia industry.
Rovell is hosting a COLLECTIBLE NIGHT at Red Bull Arena as the New York Red Bulls take on Nashville SC on June 15.
The life-long collector and memorabilia expert joined SportsJam with Doug Doyle to talk about the special evening and the skyrocketing collective market that took off during the pandemic.
"I think people when they were alone in their houses it was hard for them to find happiness. When they could go on ebay and buy something that they know made them happy whether it was something they threw out or something from their childhood, that's what they did. They surrounded themselves with collectibles. They then become more and more valuable. So it served two purposes from a psychology standpoint but if you picked the right things a greater investment."
Rovell says there are many reasons why people collect memorabilia but no matter what there's personal connection for them.
"It's something you can touch. A memory is something that is in your head. If you can jog that memory by having something in front of you, it's just an easy way to do things. For me, it's the storytelling. I can own a story by owning something. It allows me to tell the story and then that story becomes part of me."
Rovell has covered the collectibles industry for more than 25 years for outlets like ESPN, CNBC and Action Network, recently launched cllct. He says he worked with the Red Bulls in shaping the details of COLLECTIBLE NIGHT.
"I've always had a great relationship with the Red Bulls. They do innovative things. I love the arena there in Harrison."
Here's the schedule for June 15:
· Pre-game Q&A and storytelling session with Darren Rovell at CrossBar at Red Bull Arena at 6:00 p.m.
· Select items from Darren Rovell’s personal collection displayed at CrossBar at Red Bull Arena
· Match Ball Delivery by Darren Rovell
· Emil Forsberg figurine giveaway to first 7,500 fans entering Red Bull Arena
· Official Commemorative Ticket giveaway to fans departing Red Bull Arena
Rovell has twin ten-year old sons who are avid card collectors, just like he was in the 1980's.
Darren's collection doesn't only include sports memorabilia. He has some of the most interesting pieces connected to people like JFK and Alexander Hamilton.
You can SEE the entire SportsJam with Doug Doyle interview with Darren Rovell here.
