LOS ANGELES (March 14, 2014) – Sports legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, along with Iconomy Multi-Media & Entertainment is proud to unveil Starguard Collectibles (SGC), a sports memorabilia provider and licensor that brings authentic, autographed merchandise directly from sports heroes into the hands of their biggest fans.
Showtime Laker teammates Byron Scott, Michael Cooper and AC Green, as well as UCLA alum Bill Walton will join Abdul-Jabbar in his first release of memorabilia. As an official licensee of the NBA, Starguard Collectibles (SGC) is setting the standard in sports collectibles and memorabilia.
Sports collectors will be able to find unique limited-edition items from $150 up to $10,000. Each piece of SGC memorabilia is certified with a patent-pending Certificate of Authenticity that includes each athlete’s signature and DNA via their thumbprint. In addition to items such as game-worn clothing and basketballs, fans can purchase hand-painted floorboards from renowned sports artist William Zavala. Also available is the patent-pending Starguard Basketball Display Stand that proudly gives your basketball a home in only six inches.
Abdul-Jabbar is convinced fans want a more intense and personal experience with their sports heroes. “The next best thing to meeting your sports hero in person is seeing them through videos and photos as they sign the sports memorabilia fans want most,” said Abdul-Jabbar. “It really bothered me to go to card shows and see fans wait in line for hours only to be denied a signature because their item or jersey was counterfeit. Our fans are the reason we’re able to do what we do and get paid for it, so we want them to feel confident that they’re purchasing 100% authentic sports memorabilia. Starguard is the ultimate athlete-to-fan safeguard to ensure legitimacy.”
To guarantee authenticity SGC uses a unique, patent-pending thumbprint process together with a notarized signature from the athlete and a tamper-proof hologram. SGC also uses videos, photographs, ID numbers, and an online database verification system. This intricate and thorough authentication system will make SGC one of the most trusted names in sports memorabilia.
“I am proud to be a part of Kareem’s team” said MLB’s Joe Torre. Torre who was recently inducted into MLB’s Hall of Fame in December 2013 joined SGC so he could generate additional revenue for his charitable organization Safe at Home, which unmasks domestic violence.
Laker Legend Bryon Scott said, “I’m happy to join my good friend and teammate Kareem in this new venture, because it gives me a way to connect with my fans in a brand new way. I know everyone will be thrilled to have direct access to these truly unique and authentic items.”
SGC’s marketing relationship with Amazon.com will allow athletes to reach fans directly on an international scale. By creating unique, limited-edition memorabilia, SGC will be offering high-value memorabilia that will be secure investments for the fans while allowing them to celebrate and re-live their favorite moments in sports. Signatory athletes will also be helping to create a trustworthy network of memorabilia by promoting the items on their own vast social media outlets.
Starguard Collectibles is a sports memorabilia provider and licensor that was started by the NBA’s All-Time Leading Scorer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and his long-time business manager, Deborah Morales. SGC only sells autographed merchandise that comes directly from its athletes. To further guarantee authenticity, (SGC) uses a unique, patent-pending thumbprint processes together with a notarized signature from the athlete and a tamper-proof hologram. SGC also uses videos, photographs, ID numbers, and an online database verification system. This intricate and thorough authentication system will make SGC one of the most trusted names in sports memorabilia. Through SGC’s marketing partnership with Amazon.com, SGC athletes can reach fans on an international scale. By creating unique, limited-edition memorabilia, SGC will be offering high-value merchandise that will produce greater opportunities for its athletes as well as secure investments for their fans. Signatory athletes will also be helping create higher values for their memorabilia by promoting the items on their own vast social media networks.