It's Outta Here! Outbid Online Auction Launches Outbid Sports, Makes Bidding for Sports Collectibles a Frenetically Fun, Competitive Event

OAKLAND, Calif. & NASHVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Outbid (www.outbid.com), which combines the theater and transparency of live online auctions with social and gaming features, today at the Baseball Winter Meetings™ announces that it is launching weekly sports-themed programming for fans to land prized sports collectibles in a full-throttle auction via the web or on their iPhone or iPad. Upcoming Outbid auctions – energizing, live competitions where frenzied participants try to outbid one another in real time – will give fans the rare chance to hear Hall of Fame pitcher Ferguson Jenkins, four-time Super Bowl coach Marv Levy and other sports giants offer their insights and field questions in this innovative format.

Outbid is represented by Jenkins in Booth #108 at the Baseball Trade Show at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, which is held in conjunction with the Baseball Winter Meetings™, the annual convention of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, Inc.

Much like the games they love to follow, sports fans can jump into the Outbid auction fray and experience the thrilling bidding battles and, like the athletes they admire, get their competitive juices flowing as they try to land autographed commemorative equipment, keepsakes and collectibles, from Super Bowl footballs to sports cards.

"Outbid wants to turn it up a notch, and give sports fans the chance to join in the online auction fun and bid on everything from collectible pennants to a promo card containing a piece of the dress Britney Spears wore at the Super Bowl XXXV halftime show," said Outbid CEO Dan Granger. "Because Outbid has been built on delivering auction excitement since day one, it's a no brainer to open the service up to sports fan interested in channeling their competitive spirit into these scheduled gatherings that celebrate the love of the game."

Outbid turns the online auction on its head by making what was once a static, plodding affair into a live event, complete with audio and a live auctioneer playfully prodding participants. Anyone from a retired athlete to a comedian to an author on a book tour can co-host, interact with bidders and provide color commentary to accentuate the auction.

This combination of ecommerce, social and gamification is changing the way online auctions are conducted while turning smart devices, such as the iPhone or iPad, into a way for anyone to remotely participate, no matter where they are. Bidders can tap the enlarged buttons on their smart device screens, which allow them to instantly place their bids in rapid-fire contests where an item is typically purchased in less than three minutes.

"Just when you think you've seen it all, Outbid comes along and not only changes the way sports fan can get their most coveted collectibles, but turns it into a entertaining event that plays out like a game," said Marv Levy, who is hosting his own Outbid auction at 4 p.m. PT Dec. 17. "I'm looking forward to co-hosting as well as having the chance to meet fans in this whole new, innovative arena." The auction will benefit Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund, a non-profit organization that is providing financial grants and "pro bono" medical assistance to retired NFL players in dire need.

Outbid is owned by NASDAQ-quoted Copart, Inc. (www.copart.com), which developed the patented VB2 online auction technology. Outbid was the vision of Jay Adair, CEO of Copart, who led the creation of Outbid as a type of "virtual lemonade stand" so that his children could safely sell what they made to friends and family.

Outbid auctions are free to join or create. Sign up at www.outbid.com, check out the schedule of upcoming sport auctions – or hold your own and invite your friends to join in.

To download the Outbid app for iPhone and iPad: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/outbid/id524180055?ls=1&mt=8

To access the Outbid press kit with press releases, screenshots, and additional background information, go to: http://consortpartners.com/clients/Outbid.php

About Outbid
Outbid is reinventing the online auction. By bringing the auction room online and adding unique and exciting social features, Outbid is enabling real auction action online. Founded in Oakland in October 2011, Outbid is a privately held company with 21 full-time employees. Outbid was founded and is owned by NASDAQ-quoted Copart, Inc. (www.copart.com).

More information about Outbid is available at www.outbid.com and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/outbid.

Media Contact
Mark de la Vina
Consort Partners
[email protected]
Tel: +1 415 282 4795

SOURCE Outbid