Sports biz journalist Rovell launches site to cover collectibles

Darren Rovell

Sports business journalist Darren Rovell has launched Cllct, a website that will cover the sports collectibles industry, reports Dylan Manfre of Sportico.

Manfre writes, “Cllct raised $4 million from a group that includes David Blitzer’s Bolt Venture, Gabe Plotkin’s Tallwoods Capital, Roger Ehrenberg’s Eberg Capital, Stephen Ross’ Amity Supply and Phoenix Capital Ventures. It also includes personal investments from Ted and Zach Leonsis, Jason Stein and Andy Lansing.

“‘We think there are going to be a tremendous amount of revenue opportunities,’ Rovell said. ‘We aren’t saying exactly what will be our biggest revenue source, but we’re going to be No. 1 from Day 1, and we think companies will flock to us because we will be the best option to promote and advertise … And we will uphold our journalism. If we don’t have integrity journalism-wise, then we’re dead.’

“Cllct’s coverage will mostly focus on news in the multibillion-dollar sports collectibles and memorabilia industry. Its staff of journalists includes reporters from ESPN, Fox Sports and CNBC, according to a news release.”

Read more here.

Chris Roush

Chris Roush was the dean of the School of Communications at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut. He was previously Walter E. Hussman Sr. Distinguished Professor in business journalism at UNC-Chapel Hill. He is a former business journalist for Bloomberg News, Businessweek, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Tampa Tribune and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. He is the author of the leading business reporting textbook "Show me the Money: Writing Business and Economics Stories for Mass Communication" and "Thinking Things Over," a biography of former Wall Street Journal editor Vermont Royster.