I picked up some sweet new running shoes last week.
They’re from a brand called HOKA.
Have you seen HOKAs before? With their huge outsoles and super-thick cushioning, they look like they were made for walking on the moon.
I got them on sale, probably because of their peculiar yellow-and-blue coloring. But they were still expensive. After taxes, they set me back about $140.
But that’s nothing compared to what a pair of Nikes recently sold for: $110,000.
Now that is crazy.
So today, I’ll explain how a pair of sneakers could be worth $110,000…
Then I’ll reveal how you can take advantage of it to earn big profits outside of stocks.
An Alternative to Stocks and Bonds
To set the stage here, let me explain how the rich invest.
As I’ve explained in recent months (for example, here and here), the rich invest differently.
They don’t have typical 60/40 portfolios. And this difference might explain why they keep getting richer.
You see, according to the Motley Fool, the rich mainly invest in “alternative assets.”
These alternatives include private startups and private real estate deals — the kind we focus on here at Crowdability.
But they also include fine art, fine wine, vintage sports cars — and now, sneakers…
Introducing: Collectable
Recently, a new type of website has emerged to give ordinary people the ability to invest small amounts of money into everything from fine wine to fine art.
Essentially, just like you can buy a $100 stake in a startup, now you can buy $100 worth of a vintage Bordeaux, or of a classic piece of art from Keith Haring or Basquiat.
One such website is called Collectable.
Collectable specializes in sports. Its offerings include everything from a sports jersey worn by Willie Mays, to the sneakers Kobe Bryant wore in his 1996 NBA rookie game.
It also offers a secondary market, so you can aim to sell your investments at any time.
And this is where our $110,000 pair of Nikes comes back into the picture…
Curry in a Hurry
Collectable recently offered a pair of Nikes for sale.
Here’s what they looked like:
Like my new HOKAs, they were yellow and blue. But the feet they ended up on are a little more famous than mine. You see, Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors wore them during eight games in the 2012-2013 season. This was when Curry broke the record for three-point field goals (272) made in a single season.
Collectable was offering investors like you the chance to buy a stake in Steph’s sneakers for $10/share.
At the time of the offering, the total value of the sneakers was $78,500. But only about two weeks later, Collectable accepted a buyout offer for them for $110,000.
After all the fees, investors in the offering made a quick return of 33.8%.
Not bad. Annualized, that adds up to about 3,432%.
A $30 Billion Market
What’s going on here?
As it turns out, the global market for re-selling sneakers is huge.
This market became legitimized in the 1980s. That’s when Michael Jordan teamed up with Nike to create, you guessed it, Air Jordans.
With Nike keeping a tight lid on supply, and with online businesses like eBay popping up to create a steady stream of buyers and sellers, the market gradually took off — and now it’s soaring.
In 2019, it was worth about $6 billion. That figure grew to $10 billion in 2021. And by 2030, investment bank Cowen predicts it will be worth $30 billion.
Today, the biggest action for investment-grade sneakers takes place not just on eBay, but on newer sites like GOAT, StockX, Rally, and Collectable.
Beware!
Keep in mind, all the typical caveats about investing apply here:
For example, don’t invest more than you can afford to lose; invest in what you know; and be sure to dip your toe into the water before diving in.
Furthermore, many alternative investments like sneakers aren’t entirely “liquid.” That means they can’t necessarily be converted into cash at the snap of your fingers.
So please don’t invest your rent or grocery money into these offerings.
But if you’re looking to invest like the rich, platforms like Collectable are a great place to start!
Best Regards,
Founder
Crowdability.com
