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Welcome to the Sports Cards Are Dope podcast, hosted by Dr. Tyler Tarver (@tarvercards), an aggressively average dude with an above-average obsession for those glorious, four-cornered lil treasures we call sports cards!
This isn’t just a podcast; it’s a celebration of sports, pop culture, and the universal joy of pulling a card so dope you immediately start calculating how many shares of Apple you can buy with it. Whether you’re a seasoned pro, a curious rookie, or someone who just wants to hear how Michael Jordan, Marvel movies, and Saved by the Bell all connect through cardboard, you’ve found your proverbial home.
Here, we keep it (mostly) positive as we dive into the wild world of collecting: rookie chases, market trends, and how these little slices of nostalgia tie into fandom, investing, and, yes, incredible relationships! Also, expect plenty of stories, pop culture tangents, and more than a few questionable analogies.
So grab your penny sleeves, settle in, and let’s talk sports cards more than your spouse would ever allow! SPORTS. CARDS. ARE. DOPE. (and so are you 🎧✨)!
Now quit reading, hit follow, and let’s dance you beautiful chicken nugget.
This isn’t just a podcast; it’s a celebration of sports, pop culture, and the universal joy of pulling a card so dope you immediately start calculating how many shares of Apple you can buy with it. Whether you’re a seasoned pro, a curious rookie, or someone who just wants to hear how Michael Jordan, Marvel movies, and Saved by the Bell all connect through cardboard, you’ve found your proverbial home.
Here, we keep it (mostly) positive as we dive into the wild world of collecting: rookie chases, market trends, and how these little slices of nostalgia tie into fandom, investing, and, yes, incredible relationships! Also, expect plenty of stories, pop culture tangents, and more than a few questionable analogies.
So grab your penny sleeves, settle in, and let’s talk sports cards more than your spouse would ever allow! SPORTS. CARDS. ARE. DOPE. (and so are you 🎧✨)!
Now quit reading, hit follow, and let’s dance you beautiful chicken nugget.
80 Episodes
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In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope, Tyler breaks down Rick Probstein’s shocking departure from eBay after 20+ years and nearly a billion dollars in card sales. He’s launching a new auction platform, Snype, with lower fees and community features—but will it work, or repeat past failures like Bidtopia and YardSeller?Timestamps:0:52 – Who is Rick Probstein?2:20 – What Snype promises (fees, shipping, chat)4:05 – Lessons from failed eBay spinoffs7:10 – Why sellers may come, but buyers may not12:00 – The problem of market fragmentation15:50 – Community + creators = key to success?20:00 – The Yahoo Screen lesson: why experience matters22:50 – Final thoughts: Can Snype survive?
cmon PSA, do better
fun lil livestream
In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope, Tyler and his “best friend Chad GPT” break down five NBA players whose sports cards could rise in value this season. From Luka Doncic under the Lakers’ bright lights to Josh Giddey’s breakout in Chicago, we’re looking at the hobby through a lens of media attention, playoff potential, and market buzz.⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 – Intro & why AI helped with this list 1:01 – Luka Doncic: LA spotlight + revenge tour 4:54 – Bradley Beal: Clippers’ hidden weapon 6:49 – Jalen Green: Suns’ young scorer with upside 10:12 – Desmond Bane: Perfect fit in Orlando 13:57 – Josh Giddey: Bulls’ new floor general 17:45 – Tyler’s sleeper pick (Jordan Poole to the Pelicans) 19:45 – Final thoughts: what drives card markets
In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope, Dr. Tyler Tarver breaks down Topps’ first-ever Collector Appreciation Day — what it is, why it matters, and how it could reshape the hobby. From Willy Wonka golden ticket vibes to McDonald’s Monopoly collabs, Tyler gives six takeaways on why this could be huge for collectors.Timestamps:0:00 – Intro & bad singing cameo 🎤0:47 – What Topps Collector Day is (MLB stadiums + retail partners)3:25 – Why this feels like Willy Wonka x McDonald’s Monopoly6:45 – The future: basketball, football & Fanatics push9:00 – Six takeaways: loyalty, community, perks & more13:40 – Outside-the-box: cards as passports & gamification15:00 – Outro: “Sports cards are dope, and so are you”
In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope, I break down Fanatics Fest vs. The National. From timing around the World Cup to costs, cards, and memories, here’s what collectors need to know.0:59 – Why Fanatics Fest changed its 2026 dates3:45 – How the World Cup impacts costs and crowds5:58 – What The National offers card collectors12:00 – Why Fanatics Fest feels like Coachella20:40 – The power of activations & experiences25:29 – Which show I’d pick if I could only attend one
We break down the viral Lake Worth Sports Cards & Collectibles Show post banning attendee‑to‑attendee deals (yes, even “bathroom deals”), and map the real economics: table fees, sit‑down tax, buyer flow, and better solutions that help collectors and dealers. Entertainment + education; not financial advice.Timestamps: 00:00 Cold open & setup 00:32 Context: the viral Lake Worth post 01:04 “Epidemic” + bathroom‑deal bit 03:38 Hobby vs. business framing 04:20 The “booth in the bathroom” joke 05:23 Pros vs. cons of a trading ban 06:00 Table fees & the Sit‑Down Tax 09:59 Smart fix: “We Buy Cards” front table 10:24 Why the ban reads “Darth Vader” 11:48 Dealer vibes that invite buyers 13:15 Comps talk: how to be re‑deal‑able 15:19 Napster/StockX analogies (control vs. growth) 17:29 Wrap & merch plug
PSA just announced a major shift in the hobby — giving collectors the option to sell their freshly graded cards instantly for around 90% of Card Ladder value. This move could change comps, liquidity, and the balance of power in the card world. Tyler Tarver breaks down the three biggest implications, drawing parallels to Zillow, Amazon, and pawn shops.Timestamps:0:00 – PSA’s shocking announcement1:35 – Instant cashout explained3:00 – Zillow & real estate parallels7:00 – Conflict of interest concerns10:30 – Pawn shop meets Wall Street14:00 – Long-term implications for comps
We break down how real‑life trades ripple through the sports card market: the instant attention spike, the new fanbase effect, and why jersey/legacy still drive long‑term value. We run scenarios around Micah Parsons, Jordan Poole, Lakers‑centric hype cycles, Brady’s uniform shift, and more. Entertainment + education; not financial advice.Timestamps: 00:00 Cold open chaos & setup 00:36 Why trades move prices (attention > performance) 01:02 Jordan Poole to Pelicans mention 05:29 Immediate Hype vs. Long‑Term Value framework 07:54 Lakers/Westbrook case study 10:54 New Fanbase Effect explained 12:20 Legacy/Jersey & narrative shifts (Brady, Haliburton) 14:18 Young‑star trade scenario talk (Parsons/Luka hypotheticals) 17:28 Fun run: iconic players in weird uniforms (AI Grizzlies, Hakeem Raptors, GP Heat/Lakers, MJ Wizards) 21:01 Wrap + audience prompt
Sports cards just had their BIGGEST month ever — $421M in sales! Tyler Tarver breaks down why August was such a record-setting month, from Kevin O’Leary’s $13M Kobe/Jordan grail to Caitlin Clark’s cultural impact. We’ll talk investors, the National, NFL kickoff, WNBA cards, and how community energy is reshaping the hobby.⏱️ Timestamps0:00 – $421M in one month!1:17 – Why August sales exploded3:56 – Investors, The National & NFL kickoff6:32 – Sports cards as mini stock portfolios7:08 – Caitlin Clark & WNBA cards go mainstream9:53 – The “Matrix effect” on women’s sports13:28 – Card creators & live streams fueling growth17:53 – Communities forming around breaks & streams19:56 – Top 5 takeaways from August’s record month29:10 – Why mid-tier cards matter most30:19 – Wrapping up + hobby outlook
Today on Sports Cards Are Dope, Tyler breaks down why he spent $1,800 on a Giannis Antetokounmpo auto jersey card from Tyson Beck. Was it a smart investment, a collector’s dream, or just plain crazy? Tyler shares his 5 big reasons — from the art to the long-term value — plus answers live audience questions.⏱️ Timestamps0:00 – Why I spent $1,800 on a Giannis card4:14 – 5 reasons behind the purchase8:02 – Collecting the NBA Top 75 autos11:03 – Game-used vs. “player-worn”15:21 – Long-term investment potential19:42 – Licensed through the athlete vs. league26:35 – Mailbag: Jordan Poole, grading, profitability34:40 – Balancing passion, collecting, and life
What up, chicken nuggets. We debate NFL rookies and backup QB lottery tickets, why hype moves prices faster than performance, and exactly when to sell after a playoff pop. Names on the table: Jayden Daniels, Cam Ward, Malik Nabers, Jalen Milroe, Stetson Bennett, Joe Flacco, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen. Not financial advice—just cardboard calculus.Timestamps: 00:00 Cold open + Homestar energy 01:41 Why rookie QBs move the market (Cam Ward talk) 03:02 Second‑year leap candidates (Jayden Daniels) 03:29 Malik Nabers heat check 04:14 Veteran attention & the Flacco factor 06:06 Stetson Bennett flip story ($150 → ~$260) 09:12 Playoff spikes: when to sell after a Wild Card win 10:01 Hype vs. reality (Dogecoin analogy) 12:06 Spotting the next pop: rookies & backups 12:40 Under‑the‑radar QB: Jalen Milroe 16:02 MVP chatter: Burrow vs. Allen 18:06 Flacco team confusion resolved 19:26 “Potties” award bit + wrap
Our longest podcast yet — and for good reason. I sat down with Sean, the 19-year-old behind OnCard Autographs, who has turned autograph consignments into a legit business. We talk about his start, how he organizes signings with legends like Barry Sanders and Jerry Rice, which athletes are the nicest, and the future of autographs in the age of Fanatics and exclusivity.Timestamps:0:00 – Intro & Sean’s background2:00 – Starting out writing letters as a kid5:00 – First shows, consignments, and snowballing growth10:00 – The process of organizing signings (prep, pens, logistics)13:00 – Barry Sanders stories & why he’s the GOAT off the field too17:00 – Jerry Rice surprises & athlete interactions20:00 – Future of autograph collecting (rookie cards, exclusives, Fanatics)27:00 – Coolest inscriptions & nicknames33:00 – Sean’s white whale: Ronaldo auto40:00 – Storytelling and the value of the signature47:00 – Advice for collectors entering the autograph side of the hobby52:00 – Arkansas card shops I love visiting
Kevin O’Leary, aka Mr. Wonderful from Shark Tank, joined forces with investors to buy the Kobe Bryant & Michael Jordan Dual Logoman Auto for a staggering $12.93 million.In this episode, I break down why this sale matters, what it means for collectors vs. investors, and how it could shift the future of the hobby.Timestamps:0:00 – Weird intro & authenticity in content0:33 – The $12.93M Kobe/MJ Logoman sale1:00 – Kevin O’Leary and the buyer group revealed2:45 – Why auctions prove real demand4:50 – Sports cards as part of investment portfolios7:30 – Collector vs. flipper vs. investor mindset10:00 – Real estate, 1031 talk, and how money moves into cards15:00 – Building IP in the hobby (media, brands, creators)
In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope, Tyler breaks down the record-breaking sale of the 2007-08 Upper Deck Exquisite Dual Logoman Autograph featuring Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant — the most expensive sports card ever sold at $12.932 million.We cover why it went so high, what makes it unique, and what it means for the future of the hobby.Timestamps:0:01 – Welcome + quick recap of the $13M sale2:30 – Why this Jordan-Kobe card is different5:20 – The power of combining two player bases7:40 – The uniqueness of MJ’s 50th Anniversary gold patch10:25 – Autograph scarcity: Kobe gone, MJ rare14:00 – Real scarcity vs manufactured scarcity17:00 – How this sale shapes the hobby20:00 – Top 5 most expensive cards ever sold
Learn how the power of silence can change your negotiations at card shows, shops, or even buying a car. Inspired by Chris Voss’ Never Split the Difference, we explore why silence is uncomfortable, how to use it strategically, and real-world examples of it working in the hobby.Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro & Chris Voss inspiration 0:42 – Why humans hate silence 2:30 – Strategic silence in card deals 4:45 – The text message “read but not replied” analogy 6:15 – Counting to seven in your head 7:40 – Using silence after counteroffers 9:10 – Real-life example at The National 11:30 – Silence as your best negotiation weapon
In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope, Tyler dives into the psychology of negotiations at card shows. Inspired by Chris Voss’ Never Split the Difference, he shares practical tactics like mirroring, labeling, and tactical empathy that help you build better relationships with dealers and get the cards you want—without burning bridges.Timestamps:0:00 – Intro: Deals Start with Conversations1:30 – Why Reading the Room Matters5:00 – Mirroring Technique (Chris Voss Method)8:00 – Labeling Emotions in Negotiations12:00 – Tactical Empathy with Dealers16:00 – How to Position Yourself “With” the Seller19:00 – Recap & Closing Thoughts
A collector scored autographs from Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, Babe Ruth, Lionel Messi, and Wayne Gretzky—on one item. But are those really the greatest of all time, or just his GOATs? Tyler breaks down the story, debates the GOATs across every sport, and shares his own personal dream collectible.Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro: The 5-GOAT Autograph Story 1:15 – The Babe Ruth Starting Point 2:40 – How Brady, Gretzky, Messi, and MJ Signed On 4:55 – What’s Your GOAT List? 7:20 – My Picks Across Sports 12:15 – GOATs Outside the Big Leagues 15:05 – Final Takeaways & Community Shoutout
In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope, I share 5 game-changing tips I learned from completing the legendary 1996 EX Credentials basketball set—the first-ever numbered basketball card set in history. Whether you’re chasing a vintage set or the latest parallel rainbow, these strategies will save you money, speed up your hunt, and keep your collecting fun.Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro & backstory on the set 1:12 – Tip 1: The Buy-It-Now Blitz 3:25 – Tip 2: Big Seller Bulk Deal 5:26 – Tip 3: Tracking Your Progress 7:58 – Tip 4: Hit the Bigger Shows 10:15 – Tip 5: Milestone Motivation 13:40 – Recap of all 5 tips
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