Image Source: Dana O’Neil
Key Takeaways:
- The Realest is a company that collects and sells authenticated sports and entertainment memorabilia directly sourced from teams, athletes, and artists.
- The company uses a patented technology called TRuEST, which includes proprietary invisible ink, written logbooks, and an app to scan and track the authentication process.
- The Realest partners with various sports teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles, to collect and sell unique items such as game-worn jerseys, nameplates, and even grass clippings from the field.
- The company’s founder, Scott Keeney, also known as DJ Skee, has a background in music and sports, and has worked with notable figures such as Snoop Dogg and Kendrick Lamar.
- The collectibles market is flooded with fakes, with the FBI estimating that up to 75% of goods being sold are not legitimate.
Introduction to The Realest
The Realest is a company that is revolutionizing the way sports and entertainment memorabilia is collected and sold. Founded by Scott Keeney, also known as DJ Skee, the company uses a patented technology called TRuEST to authenticate and track the items it collects. From game-worn jerseys to grass clippings from the field, The Realest is giving fans the opportunity to own a piece of their favorite team or athlete’s history. As Keeney notes, "It’s not just about the monetary value, it’s about the magic of the moment."
The Origin Story
The Realest’s origin story begins with Snoop Dogg, who had eight public storage units filled with memorabilia that he didn’t want but didn’t know how to unload. Keeney, who had known Snoop for decades, saw an opportunity to create a platform where fans could buy authenticated memorabilia directly from the source. The first item sold was a roach from a blunt that Snoop had smoked, which sold for $4,765. As Snoop himself said, "You’re f-ing crazy. Nobody’s going to buy that sh*t." But buy it they did, and The Realest was born.
The Problem with Fakes
The collectibles market is flooded with fakes, with the FBI estimating that up to 75% of goods being sold are not legitimate. This can be a major problem for collectors, who often have to rely on the seller’s word that the item is authentic. As Keeney notes, "People would say, ‘Well, we are 90% certain,’ and somehow that was accepted as good enough." But The Realest is changing that, by going directly to the source and using its patented technology to authenticate and track each item.
Partnerships and Authentication
The Realest has partnered with various sports teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles, to collect and sell unique items. The company uses a team of authenticators, including former police officers and law enforcement officials, to verify the authenticity of each item. As Venika Streeter, the head of TRuEST, notes, "Ninety-five percent of authenticators are former or current police officers or law enforcement, and the other 5% are people who have worked in sports." The company’s proprietary invisible ink and written logbooks are used to mark and track each item, ensuring that it can be verified as authentic.
The Eagles Partnership
The Realest’s partnership with the Eagles is a unique one, with the company collecting and selling items such as game-worn jerseys, nameplates, and even grass clippings from the field. As Christian Molnar, the Eagles director of team relationships, notes, "We’re not trying to break the bank here, so it’s just what’s going to provide some joy and some fun for our fans." The company’s authenticator, Jason Arnold, is responsible for collecting and authenticating these items, often going into the locker room after games to collect jerseys and other memorabilia.
Conclusion
The Realest is a company that is changing the way sports and entertainment memorabilia is collected and sold. With its patented technology and partnerships with sports teams, the company is giving fans the opportunity to own a piece of their favorite team or athlete’s history. As Keeney notes, "It’s not just about the monetary value, it’s about the magic of the moment." With The Realest, fans can be sure that the item they are buying is authentic, and that they are supporting a company that is dedicated to preserving the history of sports and entertainment.
https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/11/sport/wild-world-sports-memorabilia
