Paul Skenes has been on a meteoric rise since making his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Standing at an imposing 6’6” and regularly throwing fastballs over 100 mph, the former LSU star has quickly become a household name in baseball. His dominance on the mound, coupled with his past success at LSU, has made him one of the most hyped rookies in recent history. This hype has extended beyond the field, with his rookie cards generating massive buzz in the collectibles market.

Among the most sought-after items is Skenes’ 2024 NL ROY Rookie Autograph Card, a one-of-a-kind 1/1 collectible released by Topps. Featuring an “MLB Debut” patch from his first-ever Pirates game, the card has been valued at nearly $1 million. This valuation skyrocketed past that of his girlfriend, Olivia Dunne, whose autographed debut card is listed for $1,794.95 on eBay. Sensing the frenzy, Dunne tried to raise the stakes—offering an exclusive invite to her private suite at a Pirates game to whoever pulled the card. The Pirates upped the ante by promising 30 years of premium season tickets behind home plate, a meet-and-greet with Skenes, and multiple signed jerseys.

However, in a stunning turn of events, the lucky collector, a little 11-year-old, has gracefully turned down all of it. Rather than accept Dunne’s invitation or the Pirates’ lucrative offer, the young fan chose to auction the card through Fanatics Collect. Earlier today, Fanatics announced: “The 11-year-old collector & his family have decided to sell the Paul Skenes 1/1 Rookie Debut Patch Autograph card at auction.” The card will be featured in their March Premier auction, with Fanatics donating their commission to LA wildfire relief efforts.

The decision sparked widespread discussion, especially given the child’s initial excitement upon discovering the card. According to a journal entry shared by Topps, the boy wrote that he “nearly pooped his brains” and screamed, “letttt’s goooo” upon realizing what he had pulled. He also mentioned how he had to beg for the card, “I started begging my mom for it for Christmas.” While many collectors would have struggled with the decision, he chose to cash in, potentially securing a life-changing sum for himself and his family.

The Pirates’ loss in this scenario mirrors their struggles on the field, as they finished last in the NL Central this past season. Meanwhile, fans have rallied behind the 11-year-old’s move, applauding his decision to go for financial security over perks. At the same time, Dunne’s attempt to sweeten the deal has drawn mixed reactions, with some feeling that her offer was an unnecessary publicity stunt. 

Fans take a dig on Livvy Dunne as 11-year-old collector rejects her Offer, opting to auction rare Skenes Card

Criticizing Olivia Dunne’s attempt, one fan wrote, “Absolutely he did; Olivia is a no-talent hack who mooches off Paul for fame and attention.”. The fan bluntly suggested that Livvy Dunne, the popular social media influencer and gymnast, leverage her relationship with Skenes for attention. According to Marca, as of 2024, Dunne has an accumulated net worth of around $9.5 million. Meanwhile, according to the records of 2024, the MLB pitcher has amassed around $10 million, too, without including any endorsement deals. This too might have provoked fans to share such a comment.

Since the 11-year-old rejected her offer, some fans saw it as dismissing Dunne’s influence, reinforcing their belief that her involvement was unnecessary and self-serving rather than genuinely tied to the card’s significance in the sports memorabilia world. Another netizen commented sarcastically, “Why would anyone want to hang out with Olivia Dunne instead of thousands of dollars?”

Another commenter supported the 11-year-old collector’s decision. The fan even dismissed Dunne’s offer as worthless compared to the potential $1 million payday, emphasizing that the child can buy his own tickets with the auction proceeds. The words from the commentator read, “Yes, hanging out with Olivia Dunne isn’t worth a penny and he’ll be able to buy plenty of season tickets with the potential million the card brings at auction. Smart kid (family).” While the kid might have secured the card being a fan of the Pirates rookie, now their family and the little one might be looking forward to using the valuation of the card to show support toward the ones who have been left impacted by the Palisades fire.

The Pirates’ and Olivia Dunne’s offers did not win over the young one. “They offered season tickets, and for an 11-year-old to hang out with a 22-year-old? It would have been malpractice to take that deal”, read the comment.

Another X user amid all the criticisms that have been rising against Olivia Dunne resorted to praising the decision of the kid irrespective of every other ground. The fan wrote, “You know what? Respect to the 11 year old kid”. The terrifying fire that wrapped Los Angeles threatening life and community served as a massive blow to the people of the state. Thus, such an act of support to help the ones impacted by the Palisades wildfire is indeed a praiseworthy and bold step for a kid of 11 and his family. 

With the auction set to take place soon, all eyes are on how much the historic Skenes card will ultimately sell for. One thing is certain—this 11-year-old collector just made one of the biggest power moves in sports memorabilia history.