Buzz
Imagine owning a piece of baseball history: the childhood home of New York Yankees icon Mickey Mantle. Now, fans have the unique opportunity to purchase a share of this legendary property for just $7.
As reported by ESPN, the house in Commerce, Oklahoma—where Mantle honed his hitting skills—is being divided into shares by Rally, a firm that specializes in fractional ownership of high-value assets such as rare collectibles and vehicles. The property is valued at $329,000, with approximately 47,000 shares available for purchase.
To maximize the property’s value, Rally is considering various upgrades, including transforming it into a museum, offering it as an Airbnb rental, or even building a Little League field. While shareholders can provide input on these plans, Rally retains the final decision on whether to sell the property.
If renovations increase the home’s resale value, shareholders stand to gain. However, if the value drops, they face losses, similar to traditional stock trading. Additionally, any profits from a sale would be offset by maintenance and construction expenses.
“Much of the home remains unchanged, which adds to its allure,” Rally co-founder Rob Petrozzo told CBS Sports. “That’s what makes it unique. Inside, the house has been largely uninhabited for about 20 to 25 years. Many elements, such as the furniture, kitchen, doors, windows, and barn, have remained untouched for nearly 80 years since Mantle’s time. Stepping inside feels like entering a perfectly preserved time capsule that has endured the decades.”
Fractional ownership of high-value sports memorabilia gained traction during the pandemic. Rally previously offered shares in items like a signed Mickey Mantle bat and a basketball used by Barack Obama and NBA stars such as LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. Unfortunately, the value of these shares declined over time.
The value of Mantle’s childhood home is equally uncertain. Without its historical significance as Mantle’s boyhood residence, the property might only be worth around $10,000. However, Mantle’s legacy adds immense value. For instance, a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle baseball card, essentially a piece of cardboard, sold for $12.6 million in 2022.
