Everyone is eager to secure a share of the pie from San Antonio Spurs sensation Victor Wembanyama after his remarkable rookie season, which followed immense hype surrounding his entry into the league.
During an operation at the Port of Entry in Rochester, New York, counterfeit goods totaling $400,000 were confiscated by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Among the confiscated items were numerous fake Victor Wembanyama rookie cards, authorities announced on Thursday, April 25.
The exact quantity of counterfeit Wembanyama Panini Prizm cards uncovered during the seizure remains undisclosed.
Nevertheless, Panini, the company responsible for manufacturing these cards, is aware of the situation, per company spokesman Jason Howarth.
In addition to the counterfeit Wembanyama trading cards, other items discovered during the seizure included designer clothing, shoes, handbags, watches, and Apple AirPods.
Victor Wembanyama's rookie cards aren't as valuable
Despite the emergence of fake Wembanyama cards, collectors are not willing to pay significant amounts for them, according to Front Office Sports.
This reluctance is attributed to the declining card market since its peak at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Another contributing factor is the Frenchman's exclusive autograph deal with Fanatics, which has left high-value collectors hesitant to make substantial investments.
Panini, the NBA's official trading card partner, will not be able to include Wembanyama's signature on its products.
However, since the Fanatics are unlicensed, their cards may not hold long-term value, creating this dilemma.
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