Sports business journalist Darren Rovell on Monday launched Cllct (pronounced “collect”), a media website that will cover the sports collectibles industry. It has the backing of many high net-worth individuals.
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.
Kevin Jackson, a former ESPN and Fox Sports executive, was named the company’s chief content officer. Ted Bishop will be the company’s chief product officer after almost 30 years at ESPN. Cllct will also have a TV network called Cllctv which will be run by Matt Liberman.
The company will also write about historical collectibles in the pop culture world that also appear in the news.
“As this area has emerged as a legit alt-asset class worth billions of dollars and growing, it hasn’t at all been matched on the content side,” Rovell said in a statement. “We will be that one-stop shop that collectors have been craving.”
