Goldin, Topps, Whatnot win big at first Hobby Awards

Topps sweeps the best product awards, winning for both sports and non-sports offerings

Cover Image for Goldin, Topps, Whatnot win big at first Hobby Awards
Ken Goldin won the award for the top executive in the hobby. (Credit: Getty Images)

Ken Goldin, Topps and Whatnot were among the big winners Thursday night at the inaugural Mantel Hobby Awards, presented in partnership with Yahoo Sports.

Goldin was named Executive of the Year in the industry, and Goldin Auctions was voted Best Auction House at the awards show, which was created to honor the best companies, individuals and products in the hobby.

Topps swept the product categories, with 2024 Topps Chrome Disney winning for Best Non-Sports Product and 2024 Topps Chrome Update taking the honor for Best Sports Card Product.

Topps Chrome Update featured the Paul Skenes Rookie Debut Patch Autograph, which sold for a record $1.1 million to Dick's Sporting Goods in March.

Whatnot took the honor for Best Breaking Platform, and Mama Breaks won for Best Livestream Seller.

Shohei Ohtani's 50th homer ball from the 2024 season, which gave the Dodgers star the first season in baseball history with 50 homers and 50 steals and sold for a record $4.392 million at Goldin, was voted the Best Sold Memorabilia.

Here's the full list of winners from the award show:

  • Best Auction House: Goldin
  • Best Breaking Platform: Whatnot
  • Best Collectible Show: National Sports Collectors Convention
  • Best Custom Card Artist: Tyson Beck
  • Best Hobby Shop: Burbank Sportscard
  • Best Livestream Seller: Mama Breaks
  • Best Marketplace: eBay
  • Best Media Platform: Sports Card Investor
  • Best Non-Sports Product: Topps Chrome Disney 2024
  • Best Sold Memorabilia: Shohei Ohtani 50/50 Ball
  • Best Sports Card Product: Topps Chrome Update 2024
  • Executive of the Year: Ken Goldin
  • Influencer of the Year: King of the Kards
  • Grading Company of the Year: PSA
  • Innovation of the Year: CollX