Sports Cards are Dope

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut 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 Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut 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 Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut 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 Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut 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 Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut 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 Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut 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 Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut 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 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 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 Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut 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 Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart Zach LaFountain