eBay will pay $295 million to acquire TCGplayer, an online collectibles technology platform and marketplace for trading card games. TCGplayer, which employs more than 600 people, will operate its TCGplayer Marketplace and Authentication Center autonomously following the acquisition, providing eBay with omnichannel capabilities including order fulfillment and cart optimization. The deal is expected to be completed by Q1 2023.
During eBay’s investor day in March 2022, eBay CEO Jamie Iannone shared the company’s vision to develop a 31,000–square-foot storage facility and digital marketplace for authenticated trading cards and valuable collectibles. Named the Vault, the space launched in June 2022, and eBay forecasts that it will hold up to $3 billion in assets within the next few years.
“eBay continues to build on our 26 years of experience in trading cards, powering local hobby stores and Main Street retailers to deliver an online destination that collectors love,” said Dawn Block, VP of Collectibles at eBay in a statement. “eBay has always fueled our customers’ passion in this space and facilitated connections between buyers and sellers, and with TCGplayer, we can enhance the customer experience across categories, forge even more relationships, and cater to enthusiasts around the world.”
The TCGplayer transaction aligns with eBay’s commitment to becoming a trusted destination for authenticated trading cards and high-value collectibles. In November 2021, eBay acquired Sneaker Con Digital’s authentication business as it sought to bolster its presence in the collectible sneakers segment.
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Headquartered in Syracuse, N.Y., TCGplayer develops applications, inventory management tools and hardware such as robotic sorting machines. The company’s technology is known for connecting hobby stores and online sellers with customers and collectors on a global scale.
“This new chapter allows us to continue operating independently within eBay, while also benefiting from their decades of industry experience and resources to deepen the connection between hobbyists and their communities,” said Chedy Hampson, Founder and CEO of TCGplayer in a statement. “With eBay’s support, we will advance our purpose, and expand our tools and services to improve the collecting experience online and in your favorite local hobby store.”
