Sports Cards are Dope

In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope, I break down why Beckett is getting flooded with cards, why they’re still behind PSA, and the 5 concrete moves they could make to actually turn it around. We talk grading scale tweaks, tech upgrades, transparency, turnaround times, and why creators might be the secret weapon. Drop your Beckett hot takes in the comments.Timestamps0:00 – What up chicken nuggets + why Beckett is at a crossroads0:42 – PC Sports Cards stops taking Beckett subs: what that really means2:55 – Who’s grading what: PSA, CGC, SGC, Beckett by the numbers7:14 – Fix #1: No more BGS 9.5s and how to convert them to 10s9:29 – Fix #2: Modernize the app, site, and slabs10:52 – Fix #3: Go all in on transparency with scans, AI, and QR codes14:01 – Fix #4: Turnaround times and why speed is Beckett’s biggest opportunity15:34 – Fix #5: Partner with trusted creators, not just flippers21:10 – Message to Beckett and shoutout to Chicken Nugget Nation Thanks to our monthly supporters Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Cody Bushell Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

Shill bidding, “defensive bidding,” fake comps, all that icky stuff has been flying around the hobby. In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope, I break down what actually happened, what shill bidding is in plain language, how to spot it on eBay, and why it hurts every honest collector, not just the buyer and seller in that one auction.I wrap with three big takeaways for the hobby and my personal opinion on how we handle auctions without nuking trust.Timestamps:0:00 What up chicken nuggets + where I’ve been0:36 Quick life update, dad’s surgery and coaching the kids1:04 What kicked off the “defensive bidding” drama1:37 What they meant by “defensive bidding” in that convo2:54 OK, so what actually is shill bidding?3:44 Real hobby examples of obvious shill bidding4:21 How to spot shill bids on eBay in the wild5:02 Is it illegal or just gross? The nuance5:25 Why fake comps wreck the entire market, not just one auction7:14 The risk you take when you list on auction8:43 Why canceling low auctions is also trash behavior9:44 Thought #1, shill bidding breaks the number one rule, trust10:11 Thought #2, transparency is the new currency in the hobby11:10 Thought #3, how auctions might have to evolve11:45 My personal experience, temptations, and why I don’t do it13:02 Advice if you hate watching your card tank at auction13:45 Closing thoughts, Disney, Chicken Nugget Nation, and giveawaysCTA line you can add at the bottom:Drop your thoughts in the comments, but keep it kind and respectful. Hit subscribe if you love sports cards and hate fake comps. Thanks to our monthly supporters Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Cody Bushell Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

The 1914 Babe Ruth Baltimore News just sold for $4.02M—about $3M less than last year’s $7.2M result. Is the hobby crashing? Nope. I walk through two-bidder auction dynamics, liquidity, macro vibes, why rarity + narrative still matter, and how this compares to modern grails (MJ/LeBron/Kobe). Quick story, four takeaways, and what it might mean for vintage vs. modern over the next decade.Timestamps0:00 Cold open — what sold, where, and the $3M gap0:45 Quick story: 1914 Baltimore News Ruth (19-year-old minor-leaguer)1:20 Why auctions drop: the two-bidder reality (not 100k voters)3:40 Takeaway #1: Auction competition drives big swings4:45 Takeaway #2: Liquidity & macro conditions matter6:35 Takeaway #3: Narrative + rarity still rule (Ruth’s historical weight)8:50 Takeaway #4: This isn’t hobby doom — one sale ≠ the market10:40 Modern heat check: MJ/Kobe/LeBron/Ohtani vs vintage over time12:30 Wrap + what I’m watching next (and Chicken Nugget Nation) Thanks to our monthly supporters Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Cody Bushell Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

In the final part of our 3-part Hobby Awards breakdown, we dive into the last—and spiciest—categories including Best Sold Memorabilia, Grading Company of the Year, and Creator of the Year. There’s drama, there’s emotion, and there’s Paul Skenes catching strays. Buckle up, nuggets.Timestamps: 0:00 – What’s Up, Chicken Nuggets 1:10 – The Final 6 Hobby Award Categories 2:00 – Best Sold Memorabilia Debate 5:00 – Babe Ruth vs. Kobe’s Rookie Jersey vs. MJ/Kobe Logo Man 7:30 – Why I Can’t Vote for Paul Skenes 😬 10:10 – Collectibles Executive of the Year Pick 13:40 – Best Media Platform (SCN Shoutout!) 17:15 – Grading Company Drama: SGC, PSA, TAG 21:00 – Creator of the Year: Kyle vs. Josh vs. Mojo 25:00 – Final Thoughts + Chicken Nugget Nation Drop Thanks to our monthly supporters Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Cody Bushell Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

Tyler dives into the next 5 categories of the 2025 Hobby Awards, including Best Auction House, Non-Sport Product, and Innovation of the Year. From Fanatics Collect to Gary Vee’s VeeFriends, we talk through what’s hot, what’s hype, and what’s just hilarious.Timestamps:0:00 Intro & hobby reminder (“A compliment to one isn’t an insult to another”)2:15 Best Auction House: Fanatics Collect vs. Golden vs. Heritage5:00 Gary Vee & the rise of VeeFriends in the hobby7:00 Innovation of the Year: Lux vs. ColleX showdown9:40 Sneak peek at next episode & free giveaway for Chicken Nugget NationJoin the drop: SportsCardsAreDope.comVote here: TheHobbyAwards.com Thanks to our monthly supporters Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Cody Bushell Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

Tyler dives into the first-ever Hobby Awards hosted by Mantle and breaks down his votes across five key categories—from best breaking platform to best hobby shop. Expect hot takes, personal experiences, and why Tyson Beck and Card Vault might just be redefining the hobby.Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Mantle & the Hobby Awards Explained 01:10 – Ghostrite trophies & genius branding 02:50 – Best Breaking Platform (eBay vs Whatnot vs Fanatics Live) 05:00 – Best Custom Art Card Artist (Why Tyson Beck wins my vote) 07:30 – Best Collectible Show (Fanatics Fest vs The National) 09:50 – Best Marketplace (eBay’s dominance and the rising contenders) 12:00 – Best Hobby Shop (Card Vault, Burbank, and the future of retail) 17:50 – Final thoughts & how to join Chicken Nugget Nation Thanks to our monthly supporters Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Cody Bushell Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

http://sportscardsaredope.comI bought four memorabilia pieces (MJ, Bulls, Team USA, and an Ali glove) for $650—knowing there’s an ~80% chance they’re fake. Here’s why I did it anyway, how I value uncertified items, and five red flags to spot forged autographs (even when a slab says “authentic”).Timestamps0:00 Welcome, context: why I bought likely-fake memorabilia0:53 The haul: Ali glove; Bulls 3-Peat hat; Team USA practice jersey; MJ White Sox mesh2:35 Seller backstory + pricing logic vs certified comps4:45 Why certification isn’t bulletproof (PSA/JSA examples, human judgment)7:40 My two reasons for buying anyway (aesthetics + vintage value)9:45 Community poll results on “does it look legit?”11:40 5 Red Flags: no COA; weak backstory; too much inventory; identical pen pressure; ignoring signature evolution15:30 Two case studies: PSA-slabbed Kobe I don’t trust vs. a “bad” Brady auto I know is real19:00 Final mindset: buy the story, not the sticker; price for the risk Thanks to our monthly supporters Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Cody Bushell Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

https://www.sportscardsaredope.comPSA upcharges are back in the spotlight after Geoff Wilson (Sports Card Investor) shared a $4k upcharge email. Is PSA “creating” value—or just charging more after the grade? I break down both sides (including Ballpark Cards Alex’s response), read PSA’s policy, and give my take on what’s fair, what isn’t, and how collectors should play it.Timestamps0:00 Cold open: why this PSA upcharge post exploded0:44 The email: PSA re-tiering & $4,058.99 upcharge1:56 Geoff’s stance: “I welcome these fees” (value created?)3:05 The pushback: Ballpark Cards Alex’s counter-argument4:28 Hooks vs. tone: why phrasing matters for the hobby5:10 PSA policy in plain English (re-tiering, decline = raw return)6:15 Pro-PSA arguments (liability, guarantee, pricing by value)7:12 Anti-PSA arguments (service didn’t change, appraisal analogy)9:10 My position: comps, trust, and market dominance vs. customer value12:10 SGC’s momentum, acquisition headwinds, and the “race with rocks”14:20 What collectors can do next (risk control & platform choices) Thanks to our monthly supporters Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Cody Bushell Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

In this episode of the *Sports Cards Are Dope Podcast*, Tyler breaks down Whatnot’s brand-new rules on repack sellers—and why it might be the biggest shakeup in live breaking history.Whether you're a buyer, seller, or just nosy (we see you), you'll want to hear why transparency just leveled up and how it’s about to impact the entire card game.⏱️ Timestamps:0:36 – What changed? The new Whatnot repack policy1:57 – No more floor/ceiling claims? Bye, mystery math!3:40 – Enforcement: How Whatnot plans to crack down6:10 – Who wins, who loses? (Hint: Not everyone’s happy)9:40 – Arena Club: Doing it right (shoutout)13:20 – Small sellers: What you should do *this* month16:40 – Will this even be enforced long-term?20:02 – The long-term hobby impact: less casino, more collecting💬 What do YOU think of the new rules? Drop your take in the comments or hit us on socials @tylertarver. Thanks to our monthly supporters Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Cody Bushell Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

Topps just made it official: NBA Debut Patches. Using real MLB debut-patch comps (Jackson Holliday, Wyatt Langford, etc.), Tyler projects 3–6× multipliers for NBA rookies and puts numbers on Cooper Flagg, Wembanyama, and Chet. Plus five market factors that could push/pull prices in Year 1.Timestamps 0:00 Intro: “Debut Patch” goes NBA + Cooper Flagg promo 1:32 Why this becomes the clear “best rookie card” 3:40 MLB comps: Holliday $200k (≈3×), Langford $183k (≈5.6×) → the 3–6× range 6:45 NBA projections: Wemby $1.5–3.0M; Chet $400–800k; Cooper Flagg ≈ $2M 10:45 Why social + league promos matter (Fanatics/NBA alignment) 12:00 Five price drivers: narrative, hard supply cap (1 of 1), timing, brand transition, auction marketing 16:30 What it means for the broader market + collectors 18:50 Community + Patreon: sportscardsdope.com (free sub + Chicken Nugget Nation) Thanks to our monthly supporters Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Cody Bushell Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

A grail chase with receipts. Tyler tells the full Jordan Poole True Gold Prizm /10 story—from pulling one in his first-ever break, to the $12K sale he watched from afar, to losing an eBay snipe by fifty bucks, and why the chase still matters.Timestamps0:00 Welcome + why Jordan Poole is the grail1:45 Steph → Warriors → early JP collecting4:50 First-ever break pulls: 2019 Prizm Hobby chaos8:34 The JP True Gold /10 pull (and the giveaway winner)10:55 PSA/BGS rumor mill + $12K sale at the peak13:45 How rarely the Gold /10 surfaces14:50 The eBay plan: budget, snipe, heartbreak16:40 The feeling after losing a grail17:58 Why the chase matters + your grail prompt Thanks to our monthly supporters Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Cody Bushell Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

Tried PSA’s new buyback on a fresh 17-card submission. They offered on 3 slabs; I sold 1 and passed on 2. Here’s the exact math, comps logic, and my quick framework so you can decide when to take the offer and when to hold.Timestamps 0:00 Intro — PSA’s buyback in plain English 0:52 The 3 offers (Brink / Strickland / Brady) 2:48 Why I accepted the Strickland 4:05 Why I passed on Brink + Brady 5:10 My “Offer vs Net” checklist (use this!) 6:40 Is this good for the hobby? 7:35 Top 5 times I’d take PSA’s offer 8:30 Final takeaways + next steps Thanks to our monthly supporters Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Cody Bushell Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

A sweaty truck confessional about hobby humility. Tyler breaks down why your taste isn’t truth, how nostalgia drives bids, what the $13K Walt Disney pull actually signals, and how to set your show table so more people stop and buy. Quick, honest, useful.00:00 Cold open: “opinion vs. fact” rant00:31 Why a $13K Disney Superfractor triggers people02:45 Nostalgia > logic: Batman Forever, boxing, and value05:58 Sports vs. TCG: collect what hits you08:01 Dealer mindset: why walk-bys aren’t personal10:04 Creatives, feedback, and identity in the hobby11:41 PSA/GemRate stat shocker on non-sports12:54 Be kinder in comments + final update/clarifier Thanks to our monthly supporters Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Cody Bushell Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

Grading isn’t just about chasing 10s. In this episode, I break down five real reasons I grade cards—and the #1 reason has nothing to do with money. We talk PSA offers, “nines are fine,” how grading reframes comps on rare cards, and why the story inside the slab matters most.Timestamps0:00 Cold open: “It’s not the money”0:32 Reason #1: Value bump (when 10s matter, why 9s still work)3:39 Rare cards & comps: changing the conversation7:39 Reason #2: Trackable value (Card Ladder, clarity)9:00 Reason #3: Protection (locking the card’s condition)10:00 Reason #4: The flex (why slabs signal)10:36 Reason #5 (The Big One): Story inside the slab14:45 Case studies: Kobe EX, Steph RC /999 (PSA 1!), Dominique auto17:56 Where I’m grading next (PSA, SGC, Beckett checklists)18:40 Wrap: Why do YOU grade? Thanks to our monthly supporters Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Cody Bushell Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

Topps (Fanatics) is officially rolling out NBA-licensed cards for 2025–26. I break down what this means for Panini, Cooper Flagg, “First Cards,” potential LeBron/MJ autograph implications, overproduction fears, and how to play the market without getting wrecked. Drop your take below and let’s build smarter as a community.Timestamps0:00 – Welcome, what’s dropping, why it matters0:42 – How Fanatics/Topps got here (and Panini’s run since 2009)1:32 – First product: Topps Basketball (First Cards, All-Kings, Cooper Flagg autos)2:49 – Could LeBron/MJ autos be possible down the line?4:56 – Why licensed photography/design matters (nostalgia + cleaner look)6:58 – Three big takeaways (nostalgia stakes, competition, first-edition impact)10:56 – How Panini can still compete (case hits, design)13:32 – Overproduction fears, allocation, and smart supply16:42 – Why this could grow the hobby (onboarding with nostalgia)18:40 – Community call: educate new collectors, avoid bad beats Thanks to our monthly supporters Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Cody Bushell Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

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? Thanks to our monthly supporters Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Cody Bushell Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

cmon PSA, do better Thanks to our monthly supporters Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Cody Bushell Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

fun lil livestream Thanks to our monthly supporters Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Cody Bushell Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain

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 Thanks to our monthly supporters Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Cody Bushell Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain