Ken Goldin at The National: 30 Years in the Hobby and a Lakers Vault Worth Watching

Ken Goldin, founder and CEO of Goldin Auctions, is a central presence at the 2026 National Sports Collectors Convention in Rosemont, Illinois — now in its third of five days. In a feature conversation tied to the show floor, Goldin reflects on three decades at the hobby's biggest annual event and discusses what he's calling a Lakers vault — a collection of Los Angeles Lakers memorabilia that Goldin is positioning for the market. Goldin Auctions has facilitated over $2 billion in memorabilia sales across sports, history, and pop culture.

When Ken Goldin signals a major collection is coming to market, the hobby listens — and a Lakers vault is about as blue-chip as it gets. Lakers memorabilia anchors some of the most valuable lots in the hobby: Kobe Bryant game-used pieces, Magic Johnson championship-era items, and LeBron James milestone relics all command serious money at auction. If Goldin is teasing this publicly on the floor of The National, expect a formal auction announcement soon. For collectors, that means watching Goldin's upcoming sale calendar closely — and for anyone holding Lakers cards or memorabilia, fresh auction comps from a high-profile Goldin sale could move the broader market. The National itself is live through August 2, so any additional details Goldin drops this week will matter.