Kevin O'Leary Targets Rare Sports Cards Over Bitcoin and Stocks

Shark Tank host Kevin O'Leary announced a shift in his investment focus, aiming to allocate about 5% of his portfolio to rare sports cards rather than traditional assets like Bitcoin or equities.

High‑Profile Purchase

The investment group behind O'Leary paid $11 million for a one‑of‑a‑kind card that includes pieces of Shohei Ohtani’s game‑worn jersey. The card was discovered by a teenager in Boca Raton, Florida, and is the sole example of its kind.

Investment Strategy

O'Leary describes the approach as an “alternative asset class” that cannot be expanded by central banks. He plans to own a diversified selection of top‑tier cards, treating the collection like an index that compounds over time.

WonderShyne Index

The cards are purchased through Secure Collectibles in partnership with collector Shyne and entrepreneur Paul Warshaw. The trio refers to their holdings as the WonderShyne Index, with total spending reported at roughly $100 million.

Portfolio Allocation and Outlook

• Target allocation: ~5% of O'Leary’s overall portfolio.
• Current crypto exposure: limited to three positions, primarily Bitcoin and Ether, representing 90% of that segment.
• Future public access to the index remains uncertain.

Key Holdings

Among the notable cards in the index are a Michael Jordan card valued at $12.93 million (estimated market value near $17.05 million) and a Kobe Bryant card, both of which O'Leary has indicated he will not sell.