Sports card collectors in Pittsburgh are about to get their own outpost of Tom Brady's growing retail empire. CardVault by Tom Brady is set to open its 20th nationwide location at The Terminal in Pittsburgh's Strip District on November 1, with the first customers through the door receiving limited-edition Pittsburgh-themed hats.
The opening was first reported by The Business Journals, which noted the Pittsburgh shop marks the retailer's 20th store nationwide. CardVault's growth has been rapid since Brady got involved: the former NFL quarterback acquired a 50% ownership stake in the company in February 2025, back when it operated just three stores, according to Sportico.
CardVault was founded in 2020 by entrepreneurs Randy Greenstein, Ed Kane, Chris Costa, Tim Bonito and Scott Heigelmann, according to Forbes. The outlet reports the company has expanded from those original three stores to 19 locations prior to the Pittsburgh opening, while a separate account from the same week paints a slightly different picture: The Athletic reported that CardVault had 17 locations across the country. The discrepancy between the two counts wasn't resolved in either report.
What's Actually on the Shelves
Forbes describes CardVault's retail model as a mix of individual cards, sealed packs and boxes, Pokémon and other trading card games, authenticated memorabilia, professional grading services and in-store events. Sportico adds that the chain sells sports memorabilia and collectibles sourced from Fanatics Authentic, Panini, Topps and Upper Deck, alongside non-sports cards like Pokémon.
That blend has shown up at other CardVault locations already open around the country. At 260 Patriot Place in Foxborough, Massachusetts — steps from Gillette Stadium — the store offers sports cards, Pokémon and other trading-card games, sealed packs and boxes, memorabilia, apparel and collectibles, and lets customers bring in their own cards to sell, trade or submit for grading, according to the company's own site.
Big-Name Investors and a Revenue Surge
CardVault's expansion has been fueled by a notable investor group. Forbes reports the roster includes rapper and entrepreneur Jay-Z, New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge, Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid, UFC president Dana White, Fenway Sports Group principal owner John Henry, and Boston Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck. Per Sportico, a person familiar with the matter said revenue at CardVault has risen more than 400% over the last year.
The company's ambitions extend well past the 20-store mark. The Athletic reports CardVault plans to eventually reach more than 100 stores nationwide, with 24 locations expected by the end of the year and 40 by the end of 2027. A press release from PR Newswire states that the strategic investment is meant to accelerate that growth by funding new store openings, distribution channels, hiring, technology, supply-chain upgrades and customer-experience improvements.
Riding a Booming Collectibles Market
CardVault's push into Pittsburgh lands amid a broader surge in the trading card business. Grand View Research estimated the global sports trading card market at $13.5 billion in 2025, forecasting growth to $24.7 billion by 2033, Forbes reports. GemRate data cited in the same report found that trading-card singles generated $2.62 billion in sales on eBay in 2025, with sports cards accounting for roughly $1.78 billion of that total.
Other major players have been moving on the category too. Fanatics purchased trading-card manufacturer Topps for $500 million in 2022, according to Sportico, while eBay purchased Goldin Auctions in 2024, three years after it had been acquired by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen. The Athletic reports that CardVault has prioritized locations tied to professional sports venues, while also balancing its portfolio with high-foot-traffic shopping and tourist destinations — a strategy visible in its recent store openings.
Just weeks before the Pittsburgh announcement, CardVault opened a store in downtown Indianapolis at 2 N Meridian St., which PR Newswire described as the company's 19th location nationwide when it was announced on September 25 and which officially opened two days later. The first 25 customers in line there received limited-edition Indianapolis-themed hats — a promotional touch Pittsburgh shoppers can expect to see echoed when CardVault's doors open at The Terminal next week.
