The hype around Cooper Flagg isn’t just staying on the hardwood. The Dallas Mavericks sophomore is making moves in the hobby world too. On September 12, Flagg opened Flagg Trading Co. in Bangor, Maine. He isn’t doing this alone. He teamed up with his cousin, Tyler Flagg, to run the shop. It is a smart move for local collectors who usually have to hunt in big cities to find the good stuff.
A New Home For Maine Collectors
Finding rare cards in small towns is hard. Flagg knows this struggle well. Per Yardbarker, the Newport, Maine native wanted to fix the lack of major shops in his home region. He and Tyler want to make sure local fans can find what they need without the long drive. The opening day was huge. Hundreds of people showed up for the ribbon-cutting, with some lining up as early as 3 a.m.
Flagg’s interest in cards grew as his career took off. He told the Bangor Daily News that signing cards for Fanatics in recent years is what got him back to the hobby. This isn’t just a side project for him. It is a passion that grew alongside his professional basketball career. He wants the shop to be reliable for the community. “This will be a place where people can go and know they will be able to find some good stuff,” Flagg said.
The Million Dollar Rookie Card
While the shop is opening, one specific piece of memorabilia is breaking the internet. A collector named Jason Williams pulled a 1-of-1 rookie card of Flagg. This card has his autograph and a patch from his first NBA game with the Dallas Mavericks. The value is sky-high. According to Yahoo Sports, the card has already earned a Gem Mint 10 grade from PSA.
The money being offered for this card is wild. Williams turned down a $1.5 million cash advance from Ken Goldin. He also said no to a package from the Mavericks worth up to $1.2 million. Even a $3 million bid from the marketplace Alt wasn’t enough to make him sell. Instead, the card is headed to a Fanatics Collect auction that ends on September 24. It is expected to sell for millions.
The Rise Of The MinionFractor
It is not the only card causing a stir. There is also a very strange card in the mix. A 1-of-1 “MinionFractor” card features Flagg with a design from the Minions movie. Per HITC, the current bid for this unusual card has reached $108,000. It was found during a live stream in August. Even though it is a novelty item, the high price shows how much interest there is in Flagg right now.
- Card Type: 1-of-1 Rookie Debut Patch
- Grade: PSA Gem Mint 10
- Rejected Offer: $1.5 million cash advance
- Current MinionFractor Bid: $108,000
