Sports Cards are Dope

Game used memorabilia is quietly becoming one of the most underrated assets in sports collecting. In this episode, I break down my recent purchases and explain why I believe this market is just getting started.Timestamps: 0:00 – Why I started buying game used items 1:05 – My first two game used jerseys 3:00 – Finding undervalued game worn shoes 6:10 – Certified vs signed only items 9:15 – Championship ceremony gear and why it matters 11:40 – Why game used will outperform signed items long term Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

Big changes may be coming to the hobby.PSA’s parent company is rolling out updates that could reshape Beckett and SGC—and collectors should be paying attention.From new labels to imaging to vault integration, here’s what’s confirmed, what’s rumored, and why it all matters.Timestamps 00:00 Why these updates matter 01:08 Beckett getting imaging and new labels 02:11 Label design and why slabs matter 04:30 SGC expansion and turnaround times 05:32 Beckett and SGC cards going to the PSA Vault 07:01 Why cross-company set registries should exist Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

Fanatics isn’t just making cards anymore. Now they want to control the stories that make those cards matter. Here’s what Fanatics Studios could do for the hobby… and what collectors should be cautious about.Timestamps 0:00 Fanatics launches a studio why this is a big deal 1:16 Why storytelling changes perception The Last Dance effect 2:24 What Fanatics Studios is making and who they’re partnering with 6:06 From selling cards to controlling the narrative 10:38 What it means for collectors growth moments and cultural relevance 13:16 The risks manufactured hype and who gets left out 16:11 The shows Fanatics should make creator led ideas Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

the 4 tiers of sports card comps Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

Where are collectors actually buying sports cards right now? In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope, I break down real December sales data showing over $381 million spent online, with eBay dominating nearly 80% of the market. We talk buyer trust, human behavior, scams, the adoption curve, and why Fanatics Collect could slowly gain ground over the next decade.If you collect cards, sell cards, or are just getting into the hobby, this episode explains why the market looks the way it does and where it’s heading next.Timestamps:0:00 Dentist shots, bad decisions, and sports cards1:00 $381M in monthly card sales explained2:00 Why eBay dominates the hobby4:00 Comfort, trust, and buyer protection6:00 A real eBay scam story (and why I still trust it)8:40 The human adoption curve applied to sports cards10:30 Where Fanatics Collect fits long-term12:00 What the future of card buying might look like Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

Dr. Tyler Tarver breaks the hobby into three collector archetypes (no judgment, just labels), explains what each group contributes to the ecosystem, and argues the hobby is more of a spectrum than a war. Plus, a quick Chicken Nugget Nation giveaway at the end.Timestamps (based on transcript timing):0:00 Welcome + premise, “three types of collectors”1:00 Gordy Bonkers clip, cards as a financially rewarding hobby2:05 Comment reactions, “collect what fulfills you”, money risks, experience matters6:10 The hobby as a spectrum, NBA analogy (rookies, ring chasers, franchise lifers)8:25 Type 1: PSA Kaboom Boys (PKB), flippers and liquidity11:15 Type 2: Capsule Keepers, forever collectors13:00 Type 3: Portfolio Collectors, evolving collection and life seasons18:30 Wrap up, why all 3 matter19:40 Chicken Nugget Nation pitch + giveaway Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

In this episode, Tyler interviews Mike Gioseffi from Sports Cards Nonsense about his biggest hobby whiff (selling Ohtani too early), then Tyler shares his own all-time mistake: pricing a 1997 Skybox Z-Force Super Rave like a normal card and watching it walk away for $5, later comping around $1,000 to $1,500.Timestamps (approx.)0:00 Intro, biggest mistakes concept, Mike Gioseffi setup1:30 The question, “Who did you whiff on?”3:05 Mike’s whiff, selling Ohtani too early, lesson on patience4:45 Mike’s buying range and liquidity philosophy6:50 Tyler returns, travel setup, “here’s my worst mistake”8:30 The $5 pricing mistake, 1997 Z-Force Super Rave context10:45 The reveal, Super Rave is /50, comps explode12:10 The lesson, check 90s numbered parallels, story value13:30 Chicken Nugget Nation Patreon + giveaway plug, wrap Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope, Tyler ranks his top 10 predictions for how the hobby evolves in 2026, plus five honorable mentions, from AI reshaping grading to Topps owning the big three licenses to the hobby shifting into a full-blown experience economy.Timestamps (approx.)0:00 Welcome, what the episode is1:33 5 Honorable Mentions (AI in grading, wax polarization, private deals, quality reset, kids re-entering)5:29 #10 Live shopping gets organized (Whatnot, Fanatics Live, TikTok Shop, eBay Live)6:44 #9 Grading companies polarize further (PSA vs the field, transparency pressure)8:15 #8 Cross-sport concepts become normal (Topps “tests” ideas across leagues)9:13 #7 Debut Patch becomes the “best card” for players9:50 #6 Cards get treated like art (and more mainstream coverage)11:25 #5 More athletes drive hobby growth (Fanatics effect)13:44 #4 Card shops and shows become hybrid media spaces17:16 #3 Creator-dealers become more influential than traditional dealers18:53 #2 Topps football license reshapes the ecosystem20:28 #1 The hobby becomes an experience economy (stories, access, community)25:45 Giveaway + Chicken Nugget Nation plug, wrap-up Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

TAG got massive attention from the PSA 8 to TAG 9 Brady Kaboom crossover, now the question is simple, what do they do next? In this episode, I break down four practical moves TAG can make to grow sports card market share, without losing credibility, plus the playbook I’d copy straight from SGC (and why creators matter more than most companies realize).Timestamps:0:00 Intro, why this episode exists1:25 Quick recap of the Brady crossover and why it mattered3:00 Tip #1: Bulk and volume (without losing credibility)5:45 Tip #2: Turn crossovers into public case studies9:00 Tip #3: Earn trust in new communities (shows + creators)13:40 Tip #4: Run the SGC playbook (service + turnaround time)15:10 The wild idea, TAG grading “machine” at card shops16:25 Chicken Nugget Nation giveaway + wrap up Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

A $660,000 Tom Brady Kaboom just crossed from PSA to TAG, and that single move says a lot about where the sports card hobby is heading. In this episode, I break down what actually happened, why transparency matters more than branding, and what this moment could mean for grading companies moving forward.Timestamps:0:00 – Intro & why this crossover matters1:05 – What actually happened with the $660K card2:45 – TAG’s grading approach vs PSA6:10 – Why this was a vote of confidence, not a flip7:30 – What this means for alternative graders9:25 – The future of grading isn’t winner-take-all Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

What up, chicken nuggets? Today we break down the wild Wilt Chamberlain 1961 Fleer rookie that went from PSA 10 to PSA 9—and the ≈$800,000 value swing that followed. We dig into PSA’s insurance/upcharge logic, the fine print on compensation caps, how to protect yourself, and my own near‑miss with a 1997 Kobe “Score Board” auto.Timestamps 0:00 Hook—PSA 10 → 9 on Wilt’s rookie 1:56 What actually happened (reholder → review → downgrade) 3:07 The ≈$800K difference (recent comps & context) 4:20 PSA terms: $250K per claim / $500K lifetime caps 6:00 My Kobe “Score Board” autograph scare (forgery risk) 10:12 How I exited the card + reallocated to a safer Kobe 11:58 PSA 9 Wilt comp, timing the market & risk math 12:55 FDIC analogy & practical takeaways 13:38 Giveaway + Chicken Nugget Nation shoutouts#PSA #WiltChamberlain #1961Fleer #SportsCards #CardCollecting #PSA10 #PSA9 #SGC #PopReport Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

didn't have time for timestamps so i'm sorry but i love you Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

PSA now owns Beckett and SGC, and collectors everywhere are asking the same question: is grading competition officially dead? I’m joined by Alex from Clever Cuban Cards to break down what this acquisition really means, what PSA’s incentives are, and whether “all grades created equal” could ever actually happen.Suggested Timestamps:0:00 – PSA Buys Beckett (Why This Matters)2:10 – “Custodian” vs “Builder” Messaging5:30 – What Happened to SGC?9:00 – Is This Fake Competition?13:40 – Could PSA Be Absorbing Resources?17:50 – “All Grades Created Equal” Idea23:30 – BGS 9.5 vs 10 Debate29:20 – The Hard Truth About Market Behavior31:10 – Final Thoughts + What Collectors Must Do Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

PSA’s parent company Collectors now owns PSA, SGC, and Beckett. For the first time ever, the three biggest grading companies are under one roof. Is this good for collectors, or the beginning of a grading monopoly? I break down what happened, what history tells us, and the three moves PSA could make to actually help the hobby.Suggested Timestamps:0:00 – PSA Buys Beckett (What Just Happened)2:20 – Why This Feels Like SGC All Over Again6:30 – “Custodian” vs “Builder” (The Red Flag)9:40 – What PSA Now Controls10:35 – Three Things PSA Should Do18:55 – Why I Still Send Cards to PSA (Hard Truth)21:30 – Final Verdict + Community Question Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

Today on Sports Cards Are Dope, Dr. Tarver breaks down his biggest project yet, Project 122, ranking the 122 greatest NBA players of all time using a blend of NBA’s Top 75, Bill Simmons’ Pantheon, Bleacher Report analytics, and AI. Plus, how this turned into the most ambitious sports-card autograph chase he’s ever attempted.Timestamps:0:00 Welcome chicken nuggets0:30 Why Project 122 exists1:50 How the NBA Top 75 inspired this chase3:00 The original autograph quest5:10 The big flaw in the NBA’s Top 757:00 The three “pillar” lists used9:15 How AI built the combined rankings11:40 Why certain players were left off or added13:25 Tier 1 Legends Revealed15:30 Breakdown of tiers 2 through 1020:40 What videos are coming next in the series21:30 Shoutout Chicken Nugget Nation + giveaways Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

Is it cool, kind, or straight-up cringe to give an NBA player their own card? After giving Isaiah Stewart a rare True Gold rookie, the clip exploded to over 1.2 million views and sparked one of the wildest debates I’ve seen in the hobby. Let’s talk about kindness, collecting, value, and why this moment mattered more than the money.Suggested Timestamps:0:00 – Cool, Kind, or Cringe?1:45 – Buying the True Gold Rookie Card4:20 – The Moment with Isaiah Stewart6:30 – Why I Gave Him the Card8:10 – Internet Reaction (Praise vs Hate)11:00 – Giving Cards to Players Moving Forward14:00 – Final Take + Community Question Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

PSA’s buyback just a glitch or a grift? We break down the Pokémon PSA 9 → 10 controversy, Nat Turner’s response, and what it teaches us about grading transparency and trust in the hobby.Timestamps 00:00 Intro + Why Collectors Are Freaking Out 01:00 The Buyback Program Explained 02:10 When 9s Turned to 10s — The Twitter Discovery 03:30 Jeff Wilson’s Take & Community Reactions 04:40 The E4 Update + Nat Turner Clarification 06:00 Tyler’s Take on PSA Transparency and Trust 09:00 Personal PSA Grading Story (Zero 10s?!?) 10:10 The $5K Buyback Experiment Announced 11:00 Chicken Nugget Nation Giveaways + Community Shout‑outs 12:30 Closing Thoughts & Life Updates Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

Shohei Otani’s newest 1/1 gold logoman auto is already topping $1.26 million with days left on Fanatics Collect. Tyler breaks down why this is the most expensive ultra modern baseball card ever, what makes the Gold Logoman series so elite, and why this sale sets a massive precedent for future MLB and NBA award patch cards. If Otani’s World Series logoman ever hits auction? We might be talking numbers we’ve never seen before.Timestamps: 0:00 — Welcome chicken nuggets 0:18 — The Otani card blowing past $1 million 1:03 — What makes the Gold Logoman patches special 2:10 — Why the jersey program changes everything 3:05 — Otani’s uniqueness and generational appeal 4:30 — Potential value of future Otani logomans 5:20 — NBA award logomans and why they’re next 6:40 — Otani vs Judge dual logoman possibilities 7:55 — Where this auction may land 9:00 — What this sale means for the hobby 10:30 — Chicken Nugget Nation shoutout + giveaways Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

Today on Sports Cards Are Dope, Tyler breaks down a massive theory about why modern in-person autographs might become some of the rarest and most valuable cards of the next 30 years. Players are richer, brand-savvier, and way less likely to hit the post-career autograph circuit. What does that mean for collectors? A lot. Let’s get into it.Timestamps: 0:00 — Welcome chicken nuggets 0:37 — Pack-pulled autos vs. in-person autos 1:45 — Why old-school IP autos had value 3:12 — Why modern in-person autos are undervalued 4:40 — Player wealth and brand control 6:30 — Why future players won’t need autograph money 7:55 — The Jordan vs Rodman Autograph Theory 9:20 — What this means for collectors 10:35 — The MJ Fleer auto that sold for $2.7M 11:45 — Chicken Nugget Nation shoutout + giveaways 12:20 — The mic wasn’t plugged in (pain) Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope, I tell the wild true story of how I pulled a Jordan Poole true gold /10 — only to give it away — and how I chased it (or something close to it) for three years.From heartbreak to redemption, we talk comps, shill bids, eBay snipes, and why sometimes the card does come back around… just maybe not the same number.🔥 Plus, we talk about the current state of the hobby and how to collect with confidence.⏱️ Timestamps: 0:00 – Welcome, Chicken Nuggets 0:30 – Who is Jordan Poole to me? 2:45 – The giveaway that changed everything 4:50 – Pulling the true gold /10 6:10 – Trying (and failing) to buy it back 8:45 – The auction heartbreak 10:00 – The unexpected message 12:30 – eBay, shill bidding & market realities 14:10 – My philosophy on value & collecting 16:30 – PSA giveaway, shoutouts, and Disney recap Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain