Shopping for sports fans can be harder than people think. Chances are the fans in your life already own a variety of hats, jerseys, and who knows what else to represent their favorite teams and players. However, there are tons of sports-related items out there that the people on your list may not even know about. So to help you find the perfect gift, we’ve turned to everywhere for help Competitor‘s newsroom has put together a list of ideas and suggestions for consideration. happy holidays!
—Brooks Peck and David Bettencourt, CompetitorSouvenirs and collectibles[edit]
(Updated 11/28 with more items.)
Start with small things
Riddell Mini Football Helmet
Riddell has a wide selection of mini helmets from NFL and NCAA teams (the University of Colorado section alone is pretty impressive). There are current looks, offbeat styles (like the Washington Commanders’ Hail Mary black helmet) and retro ones (the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Creamsicle helmet is always a nice touch).
Other minis: Rawlings MLB Mini Batting Helmet, Franklin NHL Mini Goalie Helmet, PWHL Mini Bat, NBA Mini Retro Basketball
sports arts
Landing pool, designed by Jacob Trouba
The Art of Hockey by Jacob Trouba
There is physical beauty in the game of hockey. New York Rangers defenseman and captain Jacob Trouba knows this better than most. Trouba is known for his hit songs but is also an artist. But he doesn’t use a paintbrush. Instead, he slathered himself in paint—all over his hockey gear—and rushed to the canvas. This collision resulted in paintings depicting power and dynamic movement. Small prints of some of Trouba’s work can be purchased directly from his website for $150. Larger signed prints sell for $1,000 each. —Alex Iniguez, NHL senior editor
go deeper
How Jacob Trouba, one of the NHL’s most vicious ice-hitters, discovered his artistic side
Other sports arts: Round Players by John Battalgazi, The Golden Hexagon: Where Basketball Meets Geography, Literal Balls: A Very Weird Basketball, Shelton Art Company, Triple Game Design Retro prints from Triple Play Design Company and more
sports books
Basketball Top 100
Get a comprehensive look at the greatest players in NBA history, past and present. From a surprising pick at No. 100, to LeBron James and Michael Jordan’s sprint to the top of the list, Basketball 100 features complete profiles of 100 basketball greats. Written by David Aldrich and John Hollinger CompetitorFrom the NBA staff and with a foreword by Charles Barkley, The Basketball 100 is “guaaar-uuunnn-teeeed!” Satisfy the basketball fan in your life this holiday season. —Rob Peterson, NBA deputy managing editor
The story of the greatest player in NBA history. In 100 engaging profiles, top basketball writers justify their choices and reveal NBA history in the process.
The story of the greatest game in NBA history.
purchase
Other sports books from Competitor and its author: Football 100 with Mike Sando, Dan Pompei and NFL Staff; Undeniable: Kansas City Chiefs have a remarkable championship season in 2023; Garden Party: The inside story of the Boston Celtics’ run to the 2023-24 NBA Championship ; Caitlin Clark: Raising the game; Overtime beckons, penalties loom By Adam Hurrey; Who owns the football? Author: Nick Miller; “Franchising: The Business of Building Winning Teams” by Craig Custance
It was really fun doing this with BtB, especially when people told me exactly what to write about. If you would like to give a signed, personalized copy of The Franchise as a gift during the holidays, please PM me or email me craig [at] theathletic.com, we will make it happen. pic.twitter.com/MC3z99vOEv
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) November 27, 2024
Retro
Homage x Starter Jacket
Satin bomber jackets epitomized the edged sophistication of the ’80s, while pullovers were the coolest item on the playground in the ’90s. Nostalgia never goes out of style, right?
Other regressions: Ebbets Field flannel, Mitchell and Ness, classic football shirt
Messi Inter Miami Archives Jersey
On any given day, in any elementary school, there seem to be dozens of kids wearing Inter Miami’s pink and black jerseys, with Messi’s name and No. 10 emblazoned on the back. There’s no doubt Messi’s move to Major League Soccer has had a huge impact on youth fashion, but the next level of styling is the mint-flavored retro third kit launched midway through the season. (The only thing more common among kids these days is probably the Stanley Cup, and they have a new Macy’s “GOAT” range launching on December 3rd – complete with companion mug)
go deeper
Five MLS clubs will receive retro third kits for remainder of 2024
san diego wave home jersey
It’s the most popular NWSL jersey in the United States this year, and it’s a design that will still be talked about for years to come.
Other gifts for kids: Shohei Ohtani T-Shirts, Little People NFL Sets, LEGO Formula 1 Sets, Future Fans — Teach kids about sports in creative new ways
A gift for WNBA fans
Wilson x Caitlin Clark Basketball
The WNBA’s popularity has skyrocketed this year, attracting a slew of new fans who may still be learning what’s going on in the equipment department. It’s hard for Wilson to keep Caitlin Clark’s signature basketball collection in stock, but if you can snag one, it’d be a great buy for anyone looking to emulate the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year Gift.
Other gifts for WNBA fans: Reebok Angel Reese collection, Kate Martin socks, Playa Society x WNBA
Movement…smell?
For the tennis fan in your life, or even those friends who can’t stop talking about Challenger, this is a luxurious candle that even the pickiest of people will fall in love with like and. Holiday Caddy Candles Combine the sweet taste of uncanned tennis balls with sunscreen and a cotton sweatband. and exotic match point Candles transport you straight to Wimbledon with the scent of cut grass and cucumbers. —Jordan Cohen, executive director of external communications
cool baseball gear
slimming pencil stick
The pencil bat caused a stir last year when Bryson Stott of the Philadelphia Phillies used it in an MLB game and remains the standard baseball bat The popular variant of (it’s available in a variety of sizes to suit different levels of play). But if that’s not colorful enough, Victus also has a range of crayon bats.
ARiA slip gloves
By this time, the sliding glove had become a regular part of baseball equipment, and the sheer absurdity had turned something that was frankly pretty silly into an item at the forefront of baseball creativity. Their imaginative designs are enough to make you want to lean on your fastball so you can get on base and put it on.
For sports/movie fans
Grace Sports Yearbook Prop Replica
Okay, so “Back to the Future Part II” isn’t exactly a sports movie, but “Grace Sports Yearbook” is an iconic movie about sports. This prop replica is filled with actual scores and statistics from 1950 to 2000 (sadly now a distant past) and comes complete with futuristic receipts and shopping bags, just like Marty McFly ( Marty McFly) bought it and took it out.
Other sports movie gifts: Penfold Golf: James Bond’s Ball of Choice in Goldfinger, The Sandlot Babe Ruth Autographed Baseball Replica (After Hercules Gets It)
home decoration
25-layer StadiumView illuminated coffee table
Suitable for a variety of college and parade stadiums and arenas, these coffee tables provide a unique way to bring home your favorite team. These tables cost hundreds of dollars, but the same company (YouTheFan) also offers five-layer wall art and 3D coasters for less.
Other home decor gifts: Golf pen display case, NASCAR car hood wall sign
Picked up by Gameflo
If you like Marvel Snap, you’ll love this. Basketball strategy and opportunity as you hope to win the game by countering your opponent’s weaknesses.
Feltes
Non-alcoholic wine, we use it for cooking, but I’m sure others can find many uses for it, or even just to enjoy a non-alcoholic mixed drink.
Zola’s best work
Slow roasted and freeze-dried dog food. Buckley is crazy about them, they are nutritious and healthy.
A very Christmas in Kielce
A special Christmas in Philadelphia
Popular among fans of the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, Taylor Swift, the New Heights podcast, television commercials, breakfast cereals and a dizzying array of other shows, the Kelce brothers have no Everywhere. Perhaps their most endearing effort is a series of Jason’s holiday albums that benefit various Philly charities, including surprisingly famous musicians as well as his former Eagles teammates Lane Johnson and Jordan Myra tower. This year’s version, the third and said to be the last they’ve ever produced, features a duet between Jason Kelce and Stevie Nicks!
Other Kells related gifts: McFarlane Toys Super Bowl LVII Kelce Brothers doll, Garage Beer Employee of the Month topless Jason Kelce grunt T-shirt
eBay Insights
So far this year, the four athletes in the top 10 monthly searches on eBay are:
Therefore, gifts related to these four people should be a good choice.
Other athletes who saw significant increases in searches this year:
- Searches for “Anthony Edwardska” increased 1,850% in May compared to the start of the NBA season as he led the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals.
- Searches for Paul Skenes increased 620% after he was named a starter for the MLB All-Star Game in July compared to when he was drafted in April. After being named the National League Rookie of the Year, he remains a hot commodity, with the Pittsburgh Pirates offering a unique bounty on his Topps first patch card.
- Freddie Freeman, who won Game 1 of the World Series for the LA Dodgers and was ultimately named the Series MVP, saw searches increase nearly a day after he won a major 1,500%.
In addition, searches for “PSA 10” increased 30% in October compared to the same period last year, perhaps indicating that trading card collectors are increasingly focused on cards deemed to be in good condition by the industry’s largest grading companies.
Alternative sports gifts:
A patron holds a Master Gnome during the first round of the 2024 Masters Championship. (Photo: Andrew Reddington/Getty Images)
interested in Masters Garden Gnome of the Year Continuing Growth – The only item in the Official Masters Gift Shop with purchase restrictions. The only place to buy them annually for the $50 retail price is at the races, but on eBay, full-size versions from 2024 are selling for about $250 to $300.
Searches Vintage NFL Gear Taylor Swift’s stock soared after she wore an old Chiefs jacket she bought on eBay to a game in early November.
Dodgers Shohei Ohtani and Decoy bobbleheads The giveaway is arguably one of the most coveted (and cutest) sports-related items of the year — the day after the giveaway was released, eBay users searched for “Shohei Ohtani bobblehead” more than 1,750 times an hour. There’s even a rare gold variant.
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Stay tuned to our sports memorabilia and collectibles coverage for more gift ideas (even if they’re gifts for yourself).
(Above: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images)
