FAQ
Rights, approvals and who’s eligible.
Plain answers. If yours isn’t here, join the waitlist and ask.
The basics
- What is Custom Curated Cards?
- A marketplace that connects athletes, artists (card designers and makers) and photographers to create sports collectible cards together. No card is printed until the athlete and the photographer have approved it.
- How does the match work?
- Athletes and photographers opt in first. When an artist starts a card of an athlete using a licensed photo, the athlete is notified, reviews the mockup, and approves it, requests changes or declines.
- Is it live yet?
- Not yet. We are taking waitlist sign-ups now and launching first with Australian horse racing, starting with jockeys, through founder Hamish’s card brand Sideline Series.
Rights & approvals
- Who owns the rights to a card?
- Each party keeps their own rights. The photographer keeps copyright in the photo and grants a licence for card use. The athlete grants permission to use their name, image and likeness for that specific approved card. Final terms will be set by a lawyer before launch.
- Can an athlete say no?
- Yes. Athletes can approve, request changes or decline any card of them. A declined card is never printed.
- Why do racing cards sometimes need the owner’s approval?
- In Australian racing, a horse’s name and racing colours (silks) are registered and licensed to the owner. Any racing card that shows silks or names a horse also needs the owner’s sign-off.
- Can cards show team logos or league uniforms?
- No. Cards should not use team, club or league logos, trademarks or official uniforms unless the rights holder has approved it.
- How are payments split?
- We are still finalising the payment model with early athletes, artists and photographers. Join the waitlist to have a say.
Eligibility
- Which sports are eligible?
- We launch with Australian horse racing, then individual sports such as surfing, MMA, boxing, tennis and golf, followed by retired players and women’s and semi-pro leagues. The platform is designed to be global.
- Who is not eligible?
- Current players in leagues with exclusive group card deals, such as the NFL, NBA, MLB and AFL, are not eligible, because their league or players’ association controls card rights. Athletes declare league, union and sponsor deals at sign-up.
- Can apprentice or under-18 athletes join?
- Yes, with a parent or guardian co-signing their consent.
- Can anyone join as an artist or photographer?
- Yes, from anywhere. Photographers must own the rights to the images they license. Artists agree to submit every design for approval before printing.
Get in early
We’re launching with Australian horse racing. Join the waitlist and we’ll reach out as your sport opens.