The sports world has been rocked by cancellations and postponements due to the coronavirus. The effect COVID-19 is having on the world is also playing havoc with the sports collectibles industry in the United States.
The Chicago Sports Spectacular, a two-day sports card and memorabilia show scheduled to begin Saturday at the Stephens Convention Center, was canceled Thursday night, organizers announced on the show’s website.
The move was in response to Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s declaration that all gatherings of more than 1,000 people would be canceled through May 1, the Chicago Tribune reported,
The Chicago Sports Spectacular is officially cancelled. I mean, they really didn't have a choice when the Gov of IL put a temporary ban on gatherings of 1,000+ people. #Covid_19 #COVID19 #CoronavirusPandemic #collect https://t.co/qkUSi1CKfd
— Sal J. Barry (@PuckJunk) March 12, 2020
“Due to the governor’s announcement to cancel all events where there will be 1,000 or more in attendance, the Chicago Sports Spectacular has been canceled,” show organizers wrote.
The fate of the show, which attracts several thousand paying customers, appeared to be sealed before Pritzler’s announcement, as 21 sports legends scheduled for autograph sessions had canceled their appearances by Thursday night, Sports Collectors Daily reported.
Typically, there are 350 booths for the Chicago Spectacular, with more than 90 current and former athletes scheduled to appear.
On Wednesday, the Nashville Sports Cards and Collectibles Show decided to cancel one of the two monthly shows it hosts. Show organizers said the decision was made “out of an abundance of caution and in response” to the outbreak of the coronavirus that has affected central Tennessee.
BREAKING: Out of an abundance of caution and in response to the ongoing Coronovirus (COVID-19) outbreak that has now affected Davidson County and the Nashville area, we have cancelled our show for this Saturday (3/14/20). #NashCardShow #Nashville #Tennessee #Collect #TheHobby
— Nashville Card Show (@nashcardshow) March 12, 2020
Late Friday afternoon, GTS Marketing, scheduled to host a show in Edison, New Jersey, beginning March 27, tweeted the show had been postponed until the first weekend in May.
“Everyone stay safe,” officials tweeted.
Because of National and State of NJ mandates and recommendations - the New Jersey event has been rescheduled to be May 1-3,2020. Everyone Stay Safe!
— GTSportsMarketing (@GTSportsMkt) March 13, 2020
Meanwhile, organizers for other sports card and memorabilia shows scheduled over the next month said their events are still on -- for now.
Terry Cardini, who runs a monthly event in Florida, told Cox Media Group on Friday that the Tampa Card Show, a two-day event scheduled to begin March 21, is still scheduled to be held.
CSA Shows tweeted Thursday that it was “continuing to closely monitor” the COVID-19 situation regarding its show, scheduled April 3-5 in Chantilly, Virginia.
We are continuing to closely monitor the situation and work with The Dulles Expo Center regarding the Coronavirus. As soon as we have any updates we will share them. https://t.co/K5Bz0OhND6
— CSA Shows (@CSASHOWS) March 12, 2020
In Ohio, the annual Strongsville show near Cleveland scheduled to begin April 17, is still set, Sports Collectors Daily reported.
Lelands, which is running the show, told Sports Collectors Daily it is “closely monitoring” events and “taking it one day at a time.”
“We do not know what the environment will be like a month from now, but as of today, we are planning hard for the convention,” Lelands told the website. "Obviously, the health and safety of our attendees, exhibitors, and employees is of paramount importance, so we will continue to monitor and do what’s best for all.”
Cox Media Group
