LEXINGTON, Ky. — A Lexington man has made collecting sport memorabilia—mostly the University of Kentucky—into a business, with game used jerseys, shoes and equipment.

What You Need To Know

  • Jimmy Mahan opened Jimmy's Kentucky Roadshow three years ago with other stores in New York, California and Texas

  • His collection at his Kentucky store features countless game-used and autographed Kentucky gear 

  • Jimmy's Kentucky Roadshow was recently featured on "Pawn Stars do America" where Mahan sold Chumlee a Devin Booker jersey 

  • The store does many signings and meet and greets with UK players

Jimmy Mahan, owns Kentucky Roadshow Cards and his store was recently featured on an episode of the hit show, Pawn Stars.

“There’s a beautiful tale behind each thing. It’s kind of wild,” Mahan said.

Mahan’s Kentucky Roadshow in Lexington has cases of countless game worn shoes, jerseys and other items he’s collected over the years.

“This is really cool, this is actually a microphone, and it’s from Claude Sullivan who was the Kentucky announcer and the Reds and Bengals announcer before Caywood (Ledford),” Mahan said. “He used this microphone in the 1966 national championship game that Kentucky lost to Texas Western but still a very historic game, and I think that’s amazing.”

The Lexington native began collecting at eight years old and worked at UK under former basketball coach Tubby Smith.

“When I was an academic counselor, I was the academic counselor for Tayshaun (Prince). This is his Dream Team jersey that he gave me and signed it to me. I love this; Games of the Olympiad and it’s like wow how many friends do you have that are in the Olympics much less won a gold medal in basketball,” Mahan said.

The items aren’t for sale, except when Pawn Stars came this summer to check out the shop. Mahan’s store was featured on “Pawn Stars do America” and the episode aired Wednesday, Nov. 8 on History Channel.

“This is why I could let go one of my Booker jerseys to Chumlee because I have his game worn Bahamas jersey signed and I would never part with that. I was able to let the other one go to do the whole Pawn Stars thing, but keep this one for life,” Mahan said.

Mahan also got to meet UK Basketball head coach, John Calipari, who also appeared on the show. “Coach Cal” confirmed a suit jacket in Mahan’s store was one he wore during a Final Four appearance. Mahan did not part with that jacket.

His collecting obsession began with trading cards. It’s why the other half of his roadshow has graded replica cards for sale or you can buy them by the pack.

“You can come get your cards, but you can do that at a Target. Here you can come in talk, trade, meet other people who do the same thing, go in the museum and spend some time. That’s what it is meant to be is kind of a community center centered around sports cards,” Mahan said.

So if you’re in the area and are a UK or sports nut, you have an open invitation.

“We’d love for folks to come in and see it. You don’t have to buy anything in the card shop, just come in and enjoy this; this is what it’s meant to be. Come in and tell a story. There’s just little pieces of these things you wouldn’t know,” Mahan said.

Mahan’s collection is constantly being added to. You’ll never know what Wildcat artifact you might see next.

Currently, Oscar Thshiebwe’s Naismith, Wooden, and Roberstson awards are on display. Mahan is a friend of the former Wildcat center and he asked Mahan to display them in his shop until he gets settled in Indianapolis as a member of the NBA’s Pacers.

The store is in Lexington’s Chevy Chase neighborhood and has many signings where kids and fans can meet their favorite Wildcats and start their own collection.

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