This week, a pint of snow from Lincoln Financial Field turned into one of the most viral sports collectibles on the planet. It earned a 90-second feature on Good Morning America, coverage by ESPN, The New York Times, TMZ, WorldstarHipHop, NFL social channels, and every local Philly news outlet. To some, it’s baffling—“Who pays for a bag of snow?” But to others, it’s a priceless symbol of a moment in sports and internet history. Here’s the behind-the-scenes breakdown:

The What: Our Thought Process (and the Meme Economy)

We live in a world where meme culture isn’t just a pastime—it’s the way we assign value. As many (like Sam Lessin) have pointed out, nearly all wealth is stored in “memes” and beliefs; whether it’s real estate, crypto, or mega-cap stocks, value ultimately comes down to supply, demand, and shared stories we tell ourselves.

In that sense, launching “Eagles Snow” as a collectible is how we adapt to this new reality: if something sparks enough emotion or captures an important moment in culture, it becomes meaningful. The plan from the start was to tap into the powerful belief systems around sports fandom—where a memory is everything. We knew the concept would be polarizing, but we saw it as a chance to test how a shared meme (in this case, “the Eagles, an iconic game, the excitement of the future”) could become a tangible artifact.

The Why: Worthless vs. Priceless

Snow melts. It’s free if it’s falling in your backyard. Yet for die-hard Eagles fans, this particular snow isn’t just water crystals—it’s a snapshot of a historic moment in the team’s illustrious history. Sports fandom has always hinged on memories: a nail-biting win, the passion of a rivalry game, the electric energy in the stadium, and the joy and pain shared collectively with wins and losses. To most, this product is “worthless,” but to Eagles fans who watched or were at the game, it’s priceless.

When a Michael Jordan jersey sold for $10.2 million, it was made of the same fabric as any other jersey—yet its value skyrocketed simply because it was the one he wore. The importance lies in who wore it and when, which matters immensely to those who care about Michael Jordan, basketball, and sports culture. This shared belief in a moment’s significance is what drives seemingly ordinary items to extraordinary heights.

The How: Authenticity on Site

One question we hear often is, “How do we know it’s real snow from the stadium?” It’s a fair concern—especially in an industry where the FBI estimates that up to 90% of memorabilia may be fake. It’s all too easy for someone to scrape snow from just outside the stadium gates (or their own driveway) and claim it’s authentic. This is why we invest in the most advanced authentication technology in the business and take the process extremely seriously. Our on-site authenticators documented every step of the collection: where, when, and how it was gathered, plus how it was stored and labeled (Yes, we sealed them shut in coolers stored in appropriate temperature and behind lock and key).

In a deepfake and AI-driven world, clear provenance is more important than ever. If even one item is suspect, the entire market suffers. The Realest is building a platform to fight that—ensuring fans can trust that the snow (or any other item) is 100% legitimate and its chain-of-custody tracked since inception. When we saw snow in the forecast, we immediately brought in coolers and devised a plan to authenticate, preserve, and ship the snow properly. We even tapped into ice cream logistics—using dry ice to maintain quality while getting it to fans quickly. Moving fast is essential in today’s landscape, and this was a textbook example of how you must operate using tight turnarounds.

The When: You Never Know What Will Work

We sensed “Eagles Snow” would spark both love and skepticism—and that’s exactly what happened. Some people find it ridiculous, and to them, it is worthless. But for others, it’s like a family heirloom or a photograph: deeply meaningful because it preserves a memory. Polarizing ideas often break through the noise. Just look at companies like MSCHF—viral success often hinges on unapologetically unique concepts.

The Eagles community, by and large, has embraced it. Even defensive captain Darius Slay weighed in:

“That’s why this is the best city—fans are passionate. We’re buying snow. I love it.”

This perfectly underscores the emotional gravity behind these collectibles and fandom in general.

Not Just About Money

You can do the math on how much these snow pints sold for- and no one got rich (we only collected enough snow for about 100 pints, given the tight turnaround and our need to execute quickly at a high level). The bigger story is about amplifying and delivering a unique moment to Eagles fans. In turn, this buzz helped spotlight the Eagles x The Realest memorabilia marketplace—where game-used jerseys, meaningful collectibles, and even the team’s stadium tunnel LED sign (which sold for $7,500 last night!) connect fans more deeply to the moments they love.

At its core, this isn’t about extracting dollars (even though we obviously are a business). It’s about harnessing collective energy, turning fleeting moments into cherished keepsakes, and offering the most passionate fans a new way to engage—with complete confidence that what they’re buying is authentic in an industry notorious for fraud. It’s also about bringing new audiences into the memorabilia world. While the sector is already large financially, there’s massive room for growth if we can onboard younger, more diverse demographics. Viral moments like “Eagles Snow” can spark fresh interest and reimagine what memorabilia can be, and introduce them to the world of collecting.

At The Realest, our mission extends beyond offering high-ticket items, such as a $15,000 Cooper DeJean game-used jersey. We recognize that not everyone can afford such collectibles, which is why we are dedicated to creating memorabilia that anyone can own. By offering a diverse range of products that evoke nostalgia and cherished memories, we strive to make the joy of owning a piece of Eagles history accessible to every fan.

The Bigger Picture

Ultimately, the “Eagles Snow” phenomenon shows how beliefs drive value—just as we see in everything from crypto to real estate to stocks. When people connect emotionally with a moment, even something that seems “worthless” can become priceless. It’s a testament to the power of creativity, community, and a good splash of internet chaos.

I couldn’t be more proud of our team at The Realest for pulling this off from thin air—and to The Eagles for working with us this season hand in hand to help revolutionize sports memorabilia on every level. Because when it comes to fandom, it’s those small but meaningful moments that remind us why we care so much in the first place.

Whether you think it’s brilliant or absurd, the viral Eagles snow sale reveals one thing: in today’s meme-driven world, the simplest ideas can capture the biggest headlines. And if it helps fans celebrate the memories that matter, that alone makes it more than just a pint of snow.

These stats are so incredible, they almost seem impossible! Here’s why Tony Gwynn, aka “Mr. Padre,” was unbelievable. For starters, he was drafted in both MLB and NBA on the same day!

In fact, Gwynn was drafted within the same hour by both leagues on June 9, 1981. He was chosen by both the San Diego Padres and the San Diego Clippers, showcasing his remarkable athleticism, which is often overlooked!

At San Diego State University, Gwynn excelled in both baseball and basketball. He set school records in basketball for assists (his 590 assists still stand as the all-time school record) and was a two-time All-American in baseball. A true dual-sport legend! But let’s get back to what he was most known for:

Over his 20-year MLB career—all with the Padres—Gwynn achieved a lifetime batting average of .338, the highest of any player whose career began after World War II. Gwynn won eight batting titles, tying him with Honus Wagner for the most in National League history. He was a 15-time All-Star and a 5-time Gold Glove winner, an accomplishment he was especially proud of, considering he was initially seen as a defensive liability.

Gwynn faced 18 Hall of Fame pitchers during his career, batting an astonishing .331 against them. For context, the 2024 MLB batting average across all pitchers was .242. Against Greg Maddux and Pedro Martínez—two of the greatest pitchers ever—Gwynn hit .415 and .444, respectively. Truly mind-blowing!

“Sometimes hitters can pick up differences in spin. They can identify pitches if there are different release points or if a curveball starts with an upward hump as it leaves the pitcher’s hand. But if a pitcher can change speeds, every hitter is helpless, limited by human vision. Except for that (expletive) Tony Gwynn.” — Greg Maddux

Maddux faced Gwynn 107 times in their overlapping Hall of Fame careers and didn’t strike Gwynn out a single time—not once. In his entire career, Gwynn struck out only 434 times over 10,232 plate appearances. Some players today strike out 200 times in a single season.

Here’s a crazy stat: Tony Gwynn could have gone 0-for-1,182 with 1,182 strikeouts and still maintained a career batting average above .300! That’s how exceptional a hitter he was. Even after those hypothetical strikeouts, his strikeout rate would remain lower than Hall of Famer Derek Jeter’s career rate (among many others).

In 1994, Gwynn was on the verge of hitting .400 before the season was cut short by a strike. He finished at .394—the closest anyone has come since Ted Williams. From August 1993 to May 1995, he batted .406 over 162 games.

Gwynn had five seasons with fewer than 20 strikeouts, including 1995, when he struck out only 15 times in 535 plate appearances! Pure mastery of the strike zone.

He recorded 45 games with four or more hits and only one game in which he struck out three times—just once in 20 seasons!

Gwynn was a pioneer in video analysis, obsessively studying his at-bats to perfect his swing—long before it became a norm in MLB. His wife, Alicia, was instrumental in helping him review the film and even helped pull him out of a rare slump.

Tony Gwynn holds the Padres’ all-time records for batting average, runs, hits, total bases, doubles, triples, RBIs, walks, stolen bases, and games played. If his 20-year career were split into two 10-year periods, he would still occupy the top two spots in franchise history for runs, hits, total bases, and doubles.

Fans continue to celebrate “Tony Gwynn Opening Day,” the second game of the season, which he said was when the true fans showed up to the ballpark.

After retiring, he returned to San Diego State as the head baseball coach, giving back to his community and mentoring young athletes, including the great Stephen Strasburg.

Gwynn was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007 with 97.6% of the vote, one of the highest totals ever. (It’s hard to understand why some Hall of Fame voters were hesitant to give him a unanimous vote—at least until Mariano Rivera broke that tradition).

Despite his success, Gwynn remained humble. He once said, “The Hall of Fame is about the people who helped get you there.”

While these stats highlight Tony Gwynn’s athletic prowess, he was more than just a great player—he was a great human being. His legacy transcends baseball. His constant smile, contagious energy, and love for the game live on forever.

If you love baseball, you have to appreciate Tony Gwynn. Share your favorite fact to remind people of one of the game’s all-time greats! And if you want to see some incredible memorabilia from his archives, check out TheRealest.com and our Tony Gwynn Memorabilia Auction ending this weekend.

Following the sale of the Jordan jersey, which had been listed by Grey Flannel Auctions as game-used but lacked a photomatch to any specific game, an individual representing the new owner sought authentication from MeiGray, a leading authority on photomatching in the collectibles industry. Photomatching involves confirming the authenticity of a collectible by matching imperfections with archival videos or photos.

The representative claimed to possess never-before-seen photos from the Tony Ranze Foundation that purportedly proved the jersey’s connection to Games 3 and 4 of the 1996 Eastern Conference Finals. These photos were allegedly acquired directly from the Foundation. Relying solely on these provided photos, MeiGray authenticated the jersey, dating it to the 1996 Eastern Conference Finals—a potentially game-changing revelation as no Jordan playoff jersey from that season had previously entered the market, making this $27,000 collectible potentially worth exponentially more.

However, in light of the Action Network’s investigative findings, MeiGray has retracted its certificate of authenticity due to concerns about the photographs provided. They have initiated further research into these images and informed the buyer of the change.

music memorabilia & the Benefits of Collecting

In this post, we’ll explore the benefits of diving into the world of music memorabilia, whether you’re an enthusiastic novice or a seasoned investor. From its potential as an alternative investment and store of value, to its pivotal role in safeguarding an artist’s legacy, let’s uncover some of the treasures in this compelling realm.

MUSIC MEMORABILIA AS AN INVESTMENT

This rise in popularity can be attributed, in part, to the consistent appreciation of value that music memorabilia has demonstrated over time. While traditional investments like stocks and real estate undoubtedly have their merits, collectibles, particularly in the realm of music, establish a profound connection to something deeply personal and meaningful for their owner. Not only do these treasures hold sentimental value, but they also have the potential to appreciate financially as time goes by. As a unique and finite asset, investing in music memorabilia can provide a hedge against inflation. As time progresses, the rarity of these coveted items only increases, making them increasingly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike.

MUSIC MEMORABILIA AS PARTICIPATION IN AN ARTIST’S LEGACY

One of the most remarkable aspects of collecting music memorabilia is the opportunity it provides to actively partake in an artist’s enduring legacy. By owning a piece of an artist’s history, you become part of their story and contribute to preserving their influence for generations to come. 

Imagine showcasing an autographed poster from a legendary concert or owning a wardrobe item worn during an iconic performance. These artifacts not only evoke memories but also allow you to share in the magic that made an artist’s music resonate with millions.

As these artists continue to create music and solidify their legacies, the demand for items associated with them can soar, subsequently driving up their value in the secondary market.

If you’re a fan of a musician who has been steadily building a following over the years and is now starting to gain mainstream recognition. You might consider investing in items related to that musician now, while they’re still relatively under the radar, with the hope that their success will continue to grow ultimately leading to an increase in the value of those items over time.

Of course, there’s always an inherent degree of risk involved in any investment, and the music industry is no exception. There’s no guarantee that an artist will continue to be successful, and even if they do, there’s no certainty that the items you collect will increase in value. Building a diverse collection that includes items from a variety of artists and genres can help mitigate the risk of any one item or artist falling short of expectations.

Fortunately, the market for music memorabilia is experiencing rapid growth, presenting numerous promising opportunities.

AUTHENTICATION

GRADING