In a continuation of its strategy to develop regional trading sites, eBay Inc. Monday rolled local versions in 23 addition cities and announced a deal with Athlete Direct to let customers bid
on equipment signed or worn by professional sports’ most popular athletes.
eBay boosted its number of nationwide local sites to 53 to continue its
online auction dominance. New sites include: Cleveland, Honolulu,
Pittsburgh, Portland, Houston, Orlando, New Orleans, Miami, Buffalo, West
Palm Beach, Greensboro, Charlotte, Jacksonville, Louisville, San Antonio,
Memphis, Rochester, Hartford, Grand Rapids, Ia.; Dayton-Springfield, Ohio; Kansas
City, Billings-Boise, Idaho and Bismarck-Pierre, S.D.
eBay’s (EBAY)
regional sites give clients an easier way to trade difficult-to-ship items
including automobiles, musical instruments and sporting goods.
eBay’s partnership with Athlete Direct will let consumers bid on equipment from local
sports stars. Athlete Direct is part of Broadband Sports Inc., a leading
Internet provider of original content and commerce for hundreds of
individual sports communities. All proceeds from these sales will be
donated to the athlete’s sponsored charity.
Items that eBay offers for sports fans include:
- In Tampa Bay, Buccaneer Warrick Dunn is offering the perfect holiday
gift package: an autographed football helmet, two tickets to a home game
and a personalized holiday card signed by Warrick — mailed to the person
of your choice - In Atlanta, bid on a meeting with Jamal Anderson before an upcoming
Falcons game - In Denver, the chance to meet Shannon Sharpe of the Broncos before an
upcoming home game. The winning bidder will also receive two tickets to the
game. Shannon is also offering signed helmets and
footballs on eBay, in time for the holidays - In Cincinnati, the opportunity to meet Bengal Akili Smith before an
upcoming game and lunch with Akili at a local restaurant. - In San Francisco Bay Area, a game-used baseball bat signed by Oakland
Athletic Jason Giambi. Jason and fellow Athletic Matt
Stairs are offering numerous signed items on eBay this holiday season,
ranging from shoes to baseball cards. - In Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant of the LA Lakers is auctioning off the
autographed cast that was on his broken wrist. Also up
for bid are an autographed game jersey and the chance to meet Kobe before
an upcoming Lakers game
“Our regional sites are bringing new types of merchandise online, from that
difficult-to-ship car or set of golf clubs, through to musical
instruments and professional barbecue sets,” said Jeff Jordan, vice
president and general manager of regional at eBay.
eBay’s regional sites are accessible from the “Bid Locally” area on the
eBay home page.