WPBL to Redistribute 100% of its Auction Proceeds to WPBL Athletes
Collection Features Array of Game-Used Items from WPBL’s Sold Out Opening Day
SEPTEMBER XX, SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS — The Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL) and The Realest – the leader in authenticated collectibles and memorabilia that fans can trust, own and trade – today announced the historic results of the WPBL’s Inaugural Memorabilia Auction, which was highlighted by a $15,000 sale of Denae Benites’ Opening Day game-worn jersey during which she went 4-for-4 and hit the first-ever home run in WPBL history.
The highly anticipated auction, which was held from August 11 – 23, captivated sports memorabilia collectors and baseball fans alike, with intense competition leading to nearly 3,000 bids for the 111 items sold.
Fans embraced the unique opportunity to own a piece of the league’s history, bidding on items including game-used jerseys from the league’s two home run leaders (Benites and Kelsie Whitemore), baseballs, bases, and other items from the League’s first two games. Highlights from the inaugural WPBL memorabilia auction include:
- Denae Benites (captain) Jersey – $15,000 (52 bids):
Game Worn New York Heights Opening Day Jersey vs. Los Angeles Queens (August 1, 2026) - Kelsie Whitmore (captain) Autographed Jersey – $9,505 (57 bids):
Autographed Game Worn San Francisco Firebells Opening Day Jersey vs. Boston Hunters (August 2, 2026) - Ashton Lansdell (captain) Jersey – $6,008 (49 bids):
Game Worn Los Angeles Queens Opening Day Jersey vs. New York Heights (August 1, 2026) - Opening Day Game-Used First Base (Set B) from the Los Angeles Queens vs. New York Heights Game – $2,105 (45 bids)
- Autographed New York Heights Opening Day Lineup Card vs. Los Angeles Queens – $1,206 (44 bids)
Performance across the board reflected strong engagement, competitive bidding, and sustained collector interest from start to finish. The inaugural auction success underscores the rising market value of women’s professional sports memorabilia and the power of authenticated, direct-from-the-source collectibles.
“We are thrilled by the incredible response to our first auction with The Realest,” said Keith Stein, CEO of the WPBL. “The passionate bidding and high viewership numbers demonstrate the deep connection our fans have with the league and its athletes. This is just the beginning of an exciting marketplace for WPBL collectors.”
“As a player-first organization, the WPBL decided that 100% of WPBL’s proceeds from this historic auction will go directly to the athletes. This initiative underscores the League’s commitment to ensuring our athletes are rewarded for their historic contributions to the game,” Stein added.
“The WPBL has been creating moments that will forever be part of the history of women’s professional baseball, and The Realest has been on the ground from day one authenticating and preserving that history as it happens,” said Scott “DJ Skee” Keeney, Founder and CEO of The Realest. “The results of this inaugural auction speak to the excitement surrounding the league and the significance collectors already place on its athletes and historic firsts. We’ve seen firsthand the tremendous momentum behind women’s sports collectibles, and we believe this is only the beginning of what the category can become. The Realest is proud to be at the forefront of that growth, preserving the defining moments of women’s sports and giving fans the opportunity to own an authenticated piece of that history.”
The Realest serves as the WPBL’s Official Memorabilia Authentication Partner and has been implementing its proprietary TRuEST™ witness-based verification system at every WPBL game. Throughout the season, The Realest has been collecting game-used equipment and artifacts including baseballs, jerseys, lineup cards, field dirt, and more, all of which are being authenticated on-site and made available to fans through auction.
The WPBL’s highly anticipated debut season is now underway at historic Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois. Selling out Opening Day on August 1, ESPN and the Scripps Sports Network serve as the League’s primary media home this season, ensuring fans across the U.S. have widespread access to the League’s debut season. Fans internationally are able watch on the League’s YouTube Channel.
Following the WPBL’s thrilling 30-game regular season conclusion on September 6, the battle for the first-ever WPBL Championship begins Wednesday, September 9. The postseason schedule features a high-stakes, best-of-three Semifinal Round where the League’s four teams – the Boston Hunters, Los Angeles Queens, New York Heights, and San Francisco Firebells – will compete for a spot in the Championship. The action culminates in a best-of-five Championship Series beginning Wednesday, September 16, to crown the historic first champion of the WPBL.
Fans can secure their seats and find complete playoff schedules, updates, and ticketing links by visiting the official league website at www.womensprobaseballleague.com.