Claim OwnershipSports Cards Live
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These are the audio tracks from Sports Cards Live (on YouTube). Host and lifelong collector Jeremy Lee is joined by passionate collectors, industry insiders, hobbypreneurs, content creators to educate, inform, entertain, and inspire hobbyists of all genres and experience. Sports Cards Live is an interactive livestream video podcast where you are part of the show as your comments and questions are in play.
541 Episodes
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Programming note: This is a mid-week programming interruption ahead of The Sport Card Expo. We’re inserting special Wednesday and Thursday BoothMates episodes so you can pre-game for the show. Sports Cards Live resumes on Friday, and there will be no episodes next week on Wednesday/Thursday/Friday.
We’re gearing up for The Expo—travel plans, booth setup, and the “home show” feeling even when you have to fly in. We talk what we’re bringing (and how much), how we buy at shows (sometimes ignoring COMPs altogether), why Expo is still the best room for hockey while staying strong across sports, and how recent playoff buzz could bring new/returning fans through the doors. A show organizer even pops in near the end to add some on-the-ground context.
Highlights
Where to find us: Booth 1707 right off the entry
What’s on the tables: late-90s/early-2000s inserts, patches, jerseys, numbered cards, plus autos/patch-autos
Buying approach for the weekend: feel first, then price—when ignoring COMPs actually works
Why the Toronto show still feels like “home” and how the community keeps expanding
Hockey-heavy floor (and why that matters), with plenty of baseball/basketball/football/soccer in the mix
Playoff afterglow → more casual fans walking in, what they’ll likely be hunting, and how that helps the hobby
Main-stage autograph interviews preview (timing/guests permitting)
Quick Strongsville crossover talk and why operational polish makes shows better for everyone
If you’re coming, swing by Booth 1707—say hi, flip through the binders, and bring your wants/trade box. Subscribe/follow so you don’t miss Part 2 tomorrow.
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With Game 7 still raging, the conversation pivots from chat banter to two big hobby storylines: whether Topps/Fanatics should touch Panini (lawsuits, licenses, and the future of brands like Prizm, NT, Immaculate, Flawless, Select, Kaboom, Downtown), and what to make of PSA’s offer network that lets submitters sell graded cards instantly. John (“BasketballCardGuy”) joins late in the segment to weigh brand strategy, exclusivity headaches (why we may never get a true licensed Wembanyama auto RC), and the rising “comp economy” mindset at shows.
Highlights
Panini → Topps? Why lawsuits and timing make an acquisition less compelling now; the case for letting Panini’s brands go dormant and reviving later
Licenses & exclusivity: How player/league deals create gaps (e.g., Wemby auto RC reality), and why sub-licensing could unlock creativity again
Design without logos: Tyson Beck–style approaches that make unlicensed cards feel premium (inserts like Platinum Portraits as proof of concept)
PSA’s offer network: Instant sell-through during/after grading, perceived conflicts, and why transparency about third-party buyers matters
Collectors vs flippers: Kids running margin math off COMPs vs building attachment—what that means for the hobby’s long-term health
Live reactions to Blue Jays–Dodgers crunch time sprinkled throughout
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Watch live on YouTube (@SportsCardsLive) and catch replays on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
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As the Blue Jays and Dodgers face off in Game 7 of the World Series, Jeremy Lee and Joe Perreault balance live baseball drama with sharp hobby talk. Between innings, they break down the buzz around Panini America potentially being sold, revisit how eye appeal premiums continue to reshape grading culture, and share a few Expo plans while cheering every pitch. It’s part watch-party, part collecting clinic—an easygoing, memorable opening to Episode 288.
Highlights
Joe’s pickup of a 1953 Jackie Robinson and why it’s worth paying over COMPs
The rise of eye-appeal-driven collecting and waning trust in numerical grades
How Jeremy uses COMC → PSA to simplify grading submissions
Early chatter about the upcoming Sport Card Expo Toronto
Canada’s World Series energy, nostalgia, and a few laughs along the way
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We dig into Auburn’s big idea: auction houses collaborating on a shared shill-bidder list to protect buyers and legit sellers. Chris explains how some marketplaces already purge unpaid sales from data, and why tougher KYC/AML-style identity checks could raise the bar. We also break down private sale transparency, when a headline price is really marketing spend, and how to contextualize comps so you don’t get wrecked by bad data.
Topics:
Cross-auction shill blacklist & real penalties
Fanatics sending unpaid-item removals; why more should do it
KYC / AML-style identity verification for bidders—practical or pipe dream?
Private sales: docs, names, paper trails, and fraud risk
Comp literacy: float, intent, rarity, and why not all sales are equal
PSA Offers, vault deals & what should count as a comp
Disclaimer: Nothing here is financial or legal advice. Verify policies with each marketplace.
If you found this useful, like, subscribe, and drop your thoughts on shill enforcement & KYC below.
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Sports Cards Live episode 287, Part 4. We tackle the hobby’s messiest gray areas: PSA’s first graded card and whether it was trimmed or just hand-cut, how language (“house bids,” “single panel,” “perforated”) shapes value and trust, and why some collectors say trimming is worse than shilling—while others disagree. We break down the Bird/Magic/Dr. J triple-panel rookie labeling across graders, the “I’ve got a higher offer” negotiation killer, and what Fanatics’ anti-shill policy should look like in practice. Plus, quick hits on the NBA betting scandal and how integrity headlines can ripple into card markets.
What you’ll learn
The difference (and stakes) between hand-cut vs. trimmed—and why it matters for grading and value
How graders label Bird/Magic/Erving when separated (“single panel,” “perforated”) and what buyers should check
The spectrum of shilling (semantics vs. manipulation) and how platform policies/loopholes actually work
Why “I have a better offer” often nukes deals—and a simple script to defuse it
Practical bidding tactics to avoid getting nudged: late max bids, ceilings, and BIN/Best Offer pivots
How league betting scandals and injury-report gamesmanship can affect pricing sentiment
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We pivot from auction ethics to the field: why some sellers use fourth-party consignors for marketing/storytelling, how that hype can shape comps, and where hidden reserves and so-called house bids blur the line with shilling. We also debate the eBay Authenticity bottleneck—security benefits vs. week-long delays even on graded cards—and when BIN/Best Offer beats auction “dopamine.” Then a data-driven NFL checkpoint: which QBs are over-/under-achieving vs. preseason expectations, how MVP narratives (stats, legacy, redemption arcs) move prices, and where Prizm PSA-10s look hot or frothy.
What you’ll learn
Why fourth-party consigning can lift visibility—and when it risks artificial comps
How reserves/house bids influence auction behavior and perceived market value
A practical bidding playbook: set ceilings, use BIN/BO strategically, and time bids
The trade-off on eBay Authenticity (protection vs. speed) and a case for optional use
NFL QB market snapshot: surprise leaders, MVP lanes, and pricing tells in modern chrome
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We dive deep into the shill bidding storm and the auction-house fine print driving it. What many call “house bids” to defend reserves can feel indistinguishable from shilling to buyers. We unpack how reserves, house bidding, and employee-bidding policies really work, why they matter for comp integrity, and how one-off headline results (like the Baltimore News Babe Ruth) can distort value in a thin market.
Then we zoom out to solutions: how to set a ceiling and stick to it, when to favor BIN/Best Offer over auctions, and how to sanity-check comps using trade frequency, condition/eye appeal premiums, and platform context. We also tackle the eBay Authentication Program—security benefits vs. painful delays—and whether it should be optional. Plus: a quick vintage lesson on why a sharp 1950 Bowman Ted Williams in a lower grade can outshine numerically higher slabs, and thoughts on marketplace changes like Probstein → SNYPE and what that might mean for liquidity and fees.
Highlights
Shill bidding vs. house bids: ethics, optics, and the fine print
Reserves explained and how they influence bidder behavior
Protecting yourself: ceilings, BIN/BO strategy, comp validation
eBay Authentication: safeguard vs. slowdown—and the case for making it optional
Vintage insight: paying up for eye appeal (and when it’s worth it)
Marketplace shifts (SNYPE, eBay) and potential impact on comps and trust
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Sports Cards Live episode 287, Part 1. Jeremy sits down with Joe Poirot to kick off the night, then Leighton Sheldon jumps in for a deep dive on the headline sale of the 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth that just hammered around 4M after a prior 7.2M comp. We unpack why rare does not always equal iconic, how schedule issues compare to Goudey Ruths, and what “value” means when a card trades so infrequently.
From there we zoom out to the auction landscape: shill bidding realities, house bidding on behalf of consignors, and reserves—how they work, where they are disclosed, and how buyers can protect themselves. Jeremy shares a Classic Auctions mail day, completing a 1952 Parkhurst “flight” with Rocket Richard alongside Gordie Howe, Terry Sawchuk, and Tim Horton, plus a fun pickup of game-used Mats Sundin gloves. We also touch on Probstein moving off eBay to SNYPE, Fanatics vault strategies, and using Card Ladder to sanity-check comps.
What you’ll learn
Why the Baltimore News Ruth can lag iconic appeal despite extreme rarity
How auction house reserves and house bids can affect bidding behavior
Practical tactics to limit shill exposure set a ceiling price and stick to it
How “flight collecting” works as a middle path between set and type collecting
Vintage hockey targets in 1951–52 Parkhurst and why they resonate
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Chat goes nuclear on PSA upcharges: what happens when you pull a monster and can’t afford the fee—do you sell the card to pay PSA? We tackle “predatory vs free market,” whether fees should be based on raw value (not the grade PSA assigns), guarantee caps and submitter exclusions, SGC/Beckett “a grade behind” takes, and why some collectors want a flat-fee or opt-out guarantee. We close with practical drought hacks—enjoying your existing PC, dollar-box therapy, and balancing content consumption vs actually playing with your cards.
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Community crossfire with Chris McGill & Josh Adams. Joe signs off and we sprint through 70+ starred comments: Is PSA’s upcharge model fair capitalism or a predatory practice? Would a flat-fee grading tier solve the rage (and reduce cheap slabs)? Who actually benefits from the PSA guarantee—and why doesn’t the submitter get it? We dig into Nat Turner’s pre-ownership take vs today, authenticity vs condition guarantees, and the collector vs flipper divide. Jeremy also shares a real $6,000 guarantee payout story—and the designer-clothes analogy for why slabs drive value even though the card hasn’t changed.
Highlights
Flat-fee grading idea: demand control, less plastic, fewer low-value slabs
Free market lens vs “predatory” framing—who’s choosing to pay?
Guarantee realities: per-card and lifetime caps, submitter exclusion
“Buy the card, not the slab” vs registry/set-building culture
Do changing standards make old grades obsolete? Expiring-grade thought experiment
Collector feedback as a feature, not a bug—why companies should listen
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Jeremy and Dylan gush over modern executions of vintage designs—Topps Chrome refractor tributes (think ’52 Mantle), Heritage retrofractors, and even OPC “blast from the past”-style rookies—and why some tributes can look better than the originals. Joe shares a missed Ohtani Topps Heritage 1/1 (yes, Superfractor, not “gold vinyl”), and Dylan makes the case for enjoying vintage players on modern tech as a smart, budget-friendly lane.
Mid-segment, Mikey Singer (Sport Card Expo/Strongsville) pops in to show his completed 1990–92 Upper Deck Heroes auto run, plug next week’s VGLX gaming show, and share November Expo details—including on-site grading.
Highlights
Why refractor/retrofractor tributes of icons (Mantle, Hank, Nolan, Gretzky) can out-aesthetic the originals
Heritage Retrofractor full-set love (hockey) and why “modern retro” scratches the vintage itch
Prism/Optic vs Topps Chrome: year-to-year design, surface “shine,” and where Fanatics needs to improve
Dylan’s encouragement to vintage die-hards: try shiny—safely and cheaply
Intermission with Mikey Singer:
Completed UD Heroes autographs run (’90–’92)
VGLX gaming & culture show (video games, TCG, indie devs, AMD/MSI free-play, cosplay)
Sport Card Expo Toronto (Nov 6–9): PSA & Beckett on-site; TAG taking subs; stage/Q&A teasers
Nostalgia side quest: Vectrex mini chatter + retro consoles
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We dig deeper into grading: does the era a card was graded matter as much as the number on the flip? Joe explains why he now checks the grade date on vintage, Dylan lays out why consistency beats luck, and we examine whether PSA’s upcharge model creates a financial interest in the cards they grade. Then Dylan pivots to “hobby firsts” and Topps lineage: Mantle’s retired card number 7, the first Topps Chrome refractors, golds numbered to the year, and the rise of printing plates. If you’re moving from Prizm into the Topps world for basketball (and football soon), this is a primer.
Highlights
The Era of the Slab: why 2021–2025 grades can land 1–2 steps lower
PSA upcharges, guarantees, and the “financial interest” debate
Consistency vs opinion: AI grading’s promise and TAG’s role
PSA vs SGC vs BGS/BVG: perceived strictness and crossover realities
Dylan’s “grade your own” approach: museum-style labels and more info on the flip
Topps lineage + hobby firsts:
Mantle’s retired #7 in Topps base and its return years
1996 Topps Chrome refractors and why that first matters
Golds numbered to the year and 2009 Chrome Gold /50
Printing plates (CMYK): how to evaluate cyan, magenta, yellow, black
Practical takeaways for collectors shifting from Panini to Topps
Listen + support
Follow Sports Cards Live on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and please drop a quick rating or review. Subscribe on YouTube so you don’t miss Parts 3–5 from Episode 286.
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Episode 286 of Sports Cards Live kicks off with a candid look at PSA upcharges: are we paying for plastic or for an opinion that the hobby itself has elevated in value? Jeremy explains why he now prioritizes eye appeal and authentication over chasing a number, Joe talks risk, liquidity, and legacy planning as reasons collectors still slab, and we tackle the “pop control vs tougher standards” question head on. Dylan Davis joins near the end for what becomes an epic episode of SCL!
Highlights
PSA upcharges: insurance, incentives, and the “sell-it-immediately” dilemma for modern cards
Are we enabling the premium? How the hobby built PSA’s value differential
Inconsistency vs opinion: why Jeremy trusts his own eye over the flip
Eye appeal over grade: centered, lower-grade vintage that still pops
“Population control” or simply tighter standards on low-pop icons
Security and liquidity: reasons to grade even if you are not selling
Calgary show recap:
2023–24 Upper Deck Outburst Gold 1/1 Anthony Stolarz
The Cup Dual Patch Auto /35: Mario Lemieux and Steve Yzerman
Toronto Sport Card Expo notes: new booth 1707 with Sam Genova, Thursday night GP Sports social at Arizona’s with giveaways
Listen + support
Follow Sports Cards Live on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and please leave a quick rating or review. It helps more collectors find the show. Subscribe on YouTube for the full livestream every Saturday night and to catch Parts 2–5 from Episode 286.
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Consensus is fading—and that’s okay. We dig into why today’s hobby thrives without a single authority, how to think for yourself on rookie designations and comp use, and when it’s smart to pay ahead for a true keeper. We also hit BIN vs. auction dynamics, social media’s role in fragmenting opinion, and practical deal safety (escrow, in-person, and why G&S isn’t a force field). Quick Expo talk to close it out.
Highlights
“No boss in the hobby”: more voices, fewer absolutes, better collecting
Comps as guidance, not gospel—especially for non-fungible copies and 1/1s
BIN patience vs. auction urgency: timing, visibility, and outcome gaps
Rookie debates (e.g., dating/labeling issues) and why consensus shifts
Buyer mindset: pay now vs. pay more later for rare, eye-appeal pieces
Safer transactions: escrow for big deals, in-person meets, and G&S limits
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Comps are a data point—not the destination. We dig into context-sensitive pricing: how eye appeal and scarcity challenge the “last sale,” why off-record deals distort the public picture, and when Buy-It-Now patience outperforms auctions. We also hit scan-to-comp tools, the role of auction-house marketing in setting records, and the buyer psychology behind paying “next year’s price” to land true keepers. A brief Pokémon retail dust-up kicks things off, then it’s all cards.
Highlights
Context over copy-paste: eye appeal premiums/discounts and non-fungible grades
The “invisible comps” problem: shows, LCS, and private sales that never hit databases
BIN vs. auction: patience premium, missing bidders, vacations, and timing risk
Tech on the table: scan your slab to pull sales history and comparable results
Marketing matters: how better storytelling/presentation can lift auction outcomes
Buyer psychology: paying ahead for rare pieces, shifting tastes, and triangulating value
Practical takeaways: use comps as guidance, track your own private sales, and price to sell
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Pricing isn’t just “check a comp.” We dig into price discovery: how vendors set numbers on the floor, why eye appeal (centering, strength/weakness for the grade) can trump the last sale, and where “invisible comps”—private deals and off-platform sales—shape the real market. Dan Bliss stays on to share a dealer’s playbook for fair, competitive pricing and fast inventory turnover, and Leighton Sheldon joins to weigh in on rare cards, negotiation ethics, and keeping your own private sales data.
Highlights
Competitive vs. cushion pricing: why marking 20–30% over comps can stall your table
Eye appeal premium/discounts: strong-for-grade vs. off-center within the same numeric grade
Commoditized cards vs. scarce pieces: when comps matter—and when they don’t
“Invisible comps”: private show/LCS/Facebook deals that never hit public databases
Buying etiquette: avoiding “lowball” moments, respecting sellers, and still getting to yes
Collector vs. flipper negotiations: why intent shouldn’t change fair pricing
Practical takeaways: price to sell, track your own private sales, refresh inventory often
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Card shows keep getting bigger — but how are the best operators keeping up with the scale? With 400–600 tables, 8K+ attendees, and serious floor activity, the modern show is a different animal. Dan Bliss from Front Row Card Show joins the conversation to break down how they manage rapid growth, vendor mix, security measures, and why vintage remains a powerful draw.
Highlights
Expansion from Vegas to 7 major cities with strong collector turnout
How wristbanding, vendor controls, and on-site police keep shows secure
400–600 table scale and 8K+ attendee crowds
Real numbers: six-figure deals on the floor including a $300K 1952 Topps set
Balancing Pokémon growth without losing the sports card identity
Collector talk: eye appeal, storytelling, and why some lower-grade cards are irreplaceable
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We kick off Part 1 with collector Zach Tarhini sharing a cautionary tale about a high-end Lionel Messi card deal that went sideways after paying by PayPal Goods & Services. Zach explains how the seller linked to Metaverse Cards refused to refund, PayPal twice ruled against him, and why their “for resale” carve-out left him exposed. We talk practical safeguards for private transactions, alternatives to consider, and how this kind of outcome could affect hobby confidence. Dan Bliss of Front Row Card Show joins at the end and reacts from a show-runner’s point of view.
Highlights
The deal: targeting a 2022 World Cup Messi Impeccable/Imminence auto and why Zach felt safe using Goods & Services
What went wrong: refund refusal, dispute timeline, and PayPal closing in the seller’s favor
The fine print: how a “for resale” interpretation can negate buyer protection
Risk management: reputational checks, marketplace layers, notes in payment, and when to prefer in-person deals
Broader impact: how fear around payments could ripple into bidding and liquidity
Dan Bliss on best practices for show transactions
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Welcome to the debut episode of Booth Mates, a brand new live stream on Sports Cards Live hosted by Jeremy Lee and his longtime Toronto Sport Card Expo booth partner and good friend, Sam Genova. The plan is to do this show every two weeks.
For over five years, Jeremy and Sam have been set up side by side at card shows, building not only their collections but also a strong friendship and countless stories from life behind the booth. Now they’re sharing that camaraderie with the hobby in a relaxed, unfiltered conversation series.
In Episode 1, Intervendor Etiquette and Tales from the Schwan, we recap our recent trip to the Saskatchewan Card and Collector Experience in Saskatoon. Jeremy traveled in from Calgary, Sam flew in from Toronto, and together we share highlights from the show, behind-the-scenes booth stories, and lessons every dealer, vendor, and collector can relate to.
📍 In this episode we cover:
What makes the Saskatchewan card show unique in the Canadian hobby landscape
Travel and setup experiences from Calgary to Saskatoon and Toronto to Saskatoon
Funny and memorable booth stories from the show floor
Why friendships, rapport, and community are just as important as the cards themselves
Are comps overrated?
If you love sports card shows, collecting stories, and the behind-the-booth perspective, this series is for you.
👉 Join us live, add your thoughts in the chat, and become part of the Booth Mates experience.
#SportsCards #CardShow #BoothMates
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We ask why value dominates hobby conversation—and whether comps have become a shortcut that replaces independent thought. The panel dissects price as a heuristic, the risks of “comps culture,” and real show-floor scenarios when no comp exists. Then: the 1951 Bowman vs. 1952 Topps Mantle debate, a Bond Bread Jackie Robinson rabbit hole, Messi Mega Cracks headline math, and whether an “oddball era” is arriving. We close by questioning why collectors seek non-hobby approval and revisit whether cards were ever truly “for kids.”
Highlights
Price as shorthand vs. context: when comps help—and when they mislead
Show tactics with no comp: fairness, phone-a-friend, and game theory
51 Bowman (rookie) vs. 52 Topps (icon): “scoreboard” vs. what you value
Bond Bread Jackie primer and the case for mispriced early/rarer issues
Flippers, bounties, pumps: predatory cases vs. real services
Do outsiders’ opinions matter? Ego, validation, and why context wins
Origins chat: tobacco & candy tie-ins, Rogers Peet, business-card roots
Mailday: 2007 The Cup All-Star Royalty Bobby Orr auto /7 cameo
Recorded live Sept 27, 2025
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Mint Ink is one great spot! I love this episode!