Podcasts about sports cards live

We kick off Episode 300 of Sports Cards Live with a milestone check-in, a quick run through key updates, and a hobby conversation that goes deeper than most collectors ever think to look. We share progress on POPs & COMPs, a behind-the-scenes update on Hobby Spectrum, and a real discussion about the “invisible layer” behind many online auction houses: third-party platforms, data access, and why understanding the rules and infrastructure matters. Then the night takes a turn when Joe recounts his Fanatics Collect Premier Auction moment, dropping a record bid to land a serious Steph Curry grail. The best part is the card is actually nasty. If you've taken the Hobby Spectrum assessment, send feedback on any questions that didn't fit. That's how we tighten it before wider rollout. Drop a comment: do you care whether an auction house uses proprietary software vs a leased platform? Why or why not? If you're listening on audio, make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss Parts 2–5 from Episode 300. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We finish the public vs private collector debate with real, grounded examples. Jeremy frames the personal side of it: imposter syndrome, introvert vs extrovert energy, security paranoia, social anxiety, and even simple friction like not wanting to be around crowds. Joe explains what changed once he stopped collecting in “incognito mode” and went more public: better conversations, better information, and smarter decision making, even if it occasionally pulls you into rabbit holes before you find your North Star again. Josh adds the collector's version of the same point: he avoids most hobby news, but social media has been a net positive for building real friendships and getting access to major cards through the network, as long as you curate your feed. Then the show widens out into community updates and current hobby signals. Joe makes a push for the West Coast Card Show, and Jeremy shares a major milestone: the Hobby Spectrum directory hits 500 opt ins, with Louis from Hockey Cards Gong Show landing as the 500th entry. Jeremy previews the next directory upgrades, including standardized player, team, and sport tags to make discovery far more powerful. The panel then reacts to a surprising on the ground report from the Dallas Card Show: Beckett's Rock Hard Review price jump and a 2.5 to 3 hour line. That spirals into bigger questions about grading market power, pricing, guarantees, and whether collectors ever hit a breaking point. We close with upcoming show reminders and a quick look ahead to episode 300 of Sports Cards Live. In this part, we cover: The real reasons collectors stay private: confidence, security, and social friction Why going public can improve your collecting, even if it creates rabbit holes Curating your feed and avoiding news while still building real relationships West Coast Card Show momentum and meeting collectors in real life Hobby Spectrum directory hits 500 and what standardized tags unlock next Beckett RCR price jump and the “why are people still lining up?” question Grading market power, guarantees, and where collectors draw the line Episode 300 coming up and the week ahead schedule Subscribe to Sports Cards Live on YouTube and turn on notifications for the live show Follow @jlee_sportscardslive on Instagram for clips and updates Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to support the show Comment on YouTube: are you a public collector or a private collector, and why? Visit TheHobbySpectrum.com to request an access code, take the assessment, and opt into the directory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We keep digging into Chris HOJ's MJ 1 of 1 dilemma, but with a new angle: why talk about it publicly at all? Chris explains he's not trying to broadcast to the whole world, he's thinking out loud in a tight community, building clarity through dialogue, and inviting outside lenses that can change how he sees the problem. Joe pushes the biggest question of all: after the maneuver is done, do you actually love the card, or do you love the concept? Chris admits the Jordan 90s 1 of 1 project is new since June 2025, and this card was not something he was hunting. The auction forced the decision. He also drops a key distinction: this is “rare and obscure” more than “rare and iconic,” which makes it feel risky from a market standpoint even if it matters deeply to him. We run through chat questions that cut right to the psychology: happiness vs regret, “best” vs “rarest,” the autograph angle, and whether the joy gap matches the value gap. The community also debates prudence and optionality, with the clearest takeaway being that you can “afford” something in card capital while still wondering if you can mentally afford the consequences. Then we pivot to the hobby experience itself: Chris recaps the San Diego Front Row Card Show, including the sports vs TCG mix and a smart “zag” on why those tables can actually speed up the walk. Josh checks in from the Dallas Card Show with pickups and consignments. Finally, Chris introduces a new topic that came directly from Jonathan's presence on the show: the tradeoff between being a public collector and a private collector. Does visibility help you build a network, buy cards, and sell cards? Does it also expose you, influence what you collect, and create “flex points” that shape your decisions? We start unpacking what you gain, what you lose, and how discovery changes if you are lurking versus not participating at all. In this part, we cover: Why Chris goes public with the dilemma and how dialogue changes decisions “Do you love the card or the concept?” and the risk of a new collecting lane Rare and obscure vs rare and iconic, and why that matters Optionality: 100 cards vs 1 card and the tradeoffs of going all in San Diego Front Row Card Show recap and sports vs TCG reality Josh's Dallas Card Show notes and consignments New topic: public collector vs private collector and what it changes Subscribe to Sports Cards Live on YouTube so you catch the live show every week Follow @jlee_sportscardslive on Instagram for clips, updates, and behind the scenes If you're watching on YouTube, hit like and drop a comment: would you go public with a hobby dilemma like this? Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, it helps more collectors find the show Visit TheHobbySpectrum.com to explore the Hobby Spectrum and connect with like minded collectors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We wrap Jonathan's debut, run through some of the best chat comments from the “house of slabs” discussion, and one line stops the show: “A PSA 10 transforms a sports card into a financial instrument.” From there, the conversation sharpens into what grading really does, how speed impacts accuracy, and why some collectors are starting to sober up from slab worship. Jonathan gets a proper community welcome and we bring on Chris HOJ, followed by Josh Adams. Then the episode pivots hard into a collector dilemma that hits every nerve in the hobby: a major Michael Jordan 90s 1 of 1 is headed to auction, and Chris is considering a seismic consolidation to chase it. We debate what you gain, what you lose, and whether “nuking” a carefully curated collection is ever worth one apex card. Jeremy argues the memories, stories, and future content pipeline matter more than the trophy. Josh says do it and never look back. Joe lands in the middle: the 1 of 1 stamp matters, it's probably financially defensible, but you still need a number and a plan because deeper pockets exist. Chris explains the real point of talking it out: dialogue changes how you see everything, and collectors make versions of this decision every day, including the decision to do nothing. In this part, we cover: The chat's best lines on grading, consistency, and “too big to fail” thinking “PSA 10 as a financial instrument” and why that framing is so accurate Jonathan's official welcome into the community Chris HOJ and Josh Adams join, and the MJ 1 of 1 auction dilemma kicks off One card vs a whole collection, and what “replaceable” really means Consolidation as sacrifice, strategy, and identity, not just money Why talking it out changes decisions, and why inaction is still a decision Follow Sports Cards Live on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen Subscribe to Sports Cards Live on YouTube for full episodes and live shows Leave a rating and review to help more collectors find the show Drop a comment: would you consolidate your collection for one apex grail, or never? Follow @jlee_sportscardslive on Instagram for clips and updates Take the Hobby Spectrum assessment and request your access code at TheHobbySpectrum.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe Poirot joins the conversation and we go deep on vintage slab transitions, grading risk, and the psychology of the “slab premium.” Jonathan explains how he moved major cards out of BVG holders without mailing them, including an in person handoff to SGC at Fenway, and why a newer holder can feel like a safer asset even with a downgrade. Then we zoom out to the bigger question sparked by a High Pop Professor video: is the hobby becoming a “house of slabs,” and are we still trapped in cult like grading behavior? We also hit the uncomfortable part: older high grade cards that might not hold up to today's standards. If collectors pay today's money for “imposter” high grades and later feel burned, that can shake confidence, push people out of the market, and create downstream damage. Joe breaks down why this risk depends heavily on the lane, with real differences between ultra modern gem rates, 90s inserts, and classic 80s cardboard where PSA 9 to PSA 10 gaps can feel irrational. In this part, we cover: BVG to SGC and PSA crossovers, and how to do it without mailing grails Downgrades, security, and why a newly graded holder can feel safer PSA owning SGC and Beckett and what that does to collector psychology The “same card” thought experiment and whether the holder is the product Older “imposter” high grades and how changing standards create hidden risk Why buyers getting burned could ripple downstream across the market Gradeflation, resubmission incentives, and who ends up holding the bag Why 10s matter in some lanes, and barely matter in others Follow Sports Cards Live on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen Subscribe to Sports Cards Live on YouTube for full episodes and live shows Leave a rating and review to help more collectors find the show Share this episode with a collector who's chasing old 10s or debating a crossover Follow @jlee_sportscardslive on Instagram for clips and updates Take the Hobby Spectrum assessment and request your access code at TheHobbySpectrum.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonathan Epstein (IG: @RexCards24) joins Sports Cards Live for his first ever hobby appearance after years of consuming content quietly from the sidelines. We talk about finally stepping into the community, taking the Hobby Spectrum assessment, and landing in the Nostalgic range. Jonathan shares key pieces from his vintage collection including a 1952 Topps Mantle, and we dig into the psychology of price ceilings, emotional attachment to “your copies,” and why upgrading often feels harder than it should. This is a collector conversation about identity, memory, and the invisible rules we all carry into the hobby. In this episode, we cover: Moving from hobby lurker to active community member The Hobby Spectrum result and why it hit so hard Psychological price ceilings and the trap of old prices “My copies” vs upgrading and downgrading decisions Why storytelling matters more than flexing How community actually forms in the hobby Follow Sports Cards Live on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen Subscribe to Sports Cards Live on YouTube for full episodes and live shows Leave a rating and review to help more collectors find the show Share this episode with a collector who still watches from the sidelines Follow @jlee_sportscardslive on Instagram for clips and updates Request your access code and take the Hobby Spectrum assessment at TheHobbySpectrum.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This final segment brings the week to a close with one of the most raw and honest conversations of the episode. The panel wrestles with the idea of “entertainment value” in wax and breaks, pushes back on how people rationalize losses, and digs into why regret, risk, and expected value matter more than most collectors want to admit. It's blunt, reflective, occasionally uncomfortable, and very much grounded in lived experience rather than theory. The discussion also highlights the difference between nostalgia-driven exceptions and modern price reality, why moderation keeps the hobby sustainable for most people, and how personal thresholds shape collecting behavior far more than hype ever will. Layered throughout is classic Sports Cards Live back-and-forth, humor, chat interaction, and a late-night energy that only comes when people stop posturing and start being honest. Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and join us Saturday nights on YouTube for Sports Cards Live. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The conversation shifts from player legacy into a bigger question that sits under everything in modern collecting: is this a hobby, an industry, or both? The panel reacts to ideas raised from Brett McGrath's Stacking Slabs and uses it as a launch point to talk about the ecosystem that keeps cards moving, including dealers, flippers, LCS owners, breakers, repackers, and every type of market participant in between. Jeremy lays out a blunt argument: even collectors who never sell a card still depend on selling, and many of the things people complain about are not going away, especially breaking. From there, the chat gets into real pushback, including whether breakers are truly necessary for cards to reach collectors, whether breaking is “good” for the hobby or just the industry, and how wax pricing and distribution models changed post-Covid. In this segment: Loyalty to one-team careers and how that impacts rookie card identity Hobby vs industry and why the market behaves like an ecosystem Breakers, repackers, and what actually puts singles into circulation Flippers vs dealers and where the overlap really lives Wax value, expected value, and why opening product is still a gamble A collector-first take on why “industry talk” turns some people off A practical idea for newcomers: open one box, track every card, sell everything, learn fast This discussion lives right at the intersection of hobby identity and market reality, where emotion, nostalgia, economics, and behavior all collide. It's candid, sometimes uncomfortable, and very much rooted in real collector experience, with the chat actively shaping where the conversation goes. There's no attempt to settle the debate, just to understand it more clearly. Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and join us Saturday nights on YouTube for Sports Cards Live. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris HOJ and Josh Adams join Jeremy for a loose but surprisingly revealing roundtable that starts with NFL playoff energy and quickly turns into real hobby discussion. The group digs into what actually makes a card show worth attending, how many tables matter, and why inventory quality almost always beats raw table count. They also talk honestly about travel costs, expectations, and how card shows have shifted from pure buying trips into social and relationship driven hobby experiences. From there, the conversation pivots into one of the most relatable collector debates out there: when a player changes teams, which uniform do they truly belong to? Using examples like Christian McCaffrey, Reggie Jackson, Michael Jordan, Ohtani, Gretzky, Nolan Ryan, and more, the panel explores how moments, championships, market size, hometown ties, and personal collecting boundaries shape how each collector answers that question differently. The discussion naturally spills into collecting behavior itself, including team collecting versus player collecting, why some collectors restrict uniforms to stay focused, when exceptions make sense, and how iconic moments often outweigh years played. The chat explodes with examples, disagreements, and edge cases, proving just how personal and subjective this topic really is. This segment is equal parts hobby philosophy, collector psychology, and pure Sports Cards Live banter, with strong audience participation and no single “right” answer, just thoughtful perspectives from every angle. Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and join us live Saturday nights on YouTube for Sports Cards Live. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Hill, founder and CEO of MyCardPost, joins Jeremy (with Joe Poirot jumping in from the sick bay in Santa Cruz) for a hobby-wide conversation that starts light with recent pickups, then turns into the stuff that actually matters right now: comps, trust, shill bidding, platform incentives, and the new wave of buyer scams powered by AI. Mark breaks down how MyCardPost thinks about comps differently in a no seller-fee environment, why net proceeds matter more than headline price, and how the archive makes research possible across single card and multi card deals. He also gives a quick peek behind the curtain on Crown Auctions, what the Hobby Awards bump meant for awareness, and the platform ideas he is exploring to reduce bad actors, including post auction bid history visibility and bidder trust signals. Later, they get into the growing tension around card show mapping apps, plus the reality of scams on eBay and what sellers can do right now to protect themselves. In this episode: Joe's latest pickup: a Steph Curry 1 of 1 Platinum and why “off brand” can be the play Mark's recent pickup: Bryson DeChambeau Exquisite Rookie Auto out of 49 How MyCardPost comps compare to eBay and why net proceeds change the conversation Multi card deals, why they complicate traditional comp tools, and how auctions shift that Card show mapping apps: efficiency vs discovery, and who should get dibs on show inventory Shill bidding: what can realistically be done, plus ideas like bid history transparency and bidder trust scores Vetting buyers and sellers, verification signals, and how unpaid bidders get restricted The new AI damage scam on eBay and practical ways to push back (video requests, multiple angles, community verification) POPs & COMPs update: Chapter 72 and the “it's only worth what someone will pay” fallacy Quick hits from the chat, plus a Bears comeback win that derails the moment in the best way Sponsor shoutout: CIA Auctions (January auction live now at CollectorInvestorAuctions.com) Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Leave a rating and review if you get value from the show, it helps more collectors find it. And join us live for Sports Cards Live on Saturday nights on YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Hill, founder and CEO of MyCardPost, joins Jeremy for a wide-ranging conversation about what it looks like when the hobby stops behaving like a casual pastime and starts operating like a full-blown industry. They dig into the mental side of building something from scratch, including how impostor syndrome can either stall you out or become real fuel, and what the grind of bootstrapping actually feels like when you are building in public. Along the way, Mark shares perspective from launching new initiatives like Crown Auctions and how moments like the recent Hobby Awards recognition can create meaningful momentum without changing the day-to-day work. They also hit bigger hobby psychology and culture: imposter syndrome, community support for builders, and a lively debate on rookie cards vs early-career non-rookies, plus where “vintage” actually starts and ends. Jeremy also shares updates on the Hobby Spectrum snapshot and the status of POPs & COMPs as it moves closer to release. In this episode: Why “the hobby is an industry” is more than a talking point Impostor syndrome as a motivator, not a weakness The real grind of bootstrapping a hobby business Crown Auctions and what event-style auctions add to the hobby experience The impact of Hobby Awards recognition and organic awareness Rookie cards vs second-year cards, and why early-career cards still matter The ongoing debate around vintage definitions Golf cards, Bruins collecting, and niche community building Updates on the Hobby Spectrum and POPs & COMPs Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, leave a rating and review. It helps more collectors find the show. Join us live for Sports Cards Live on Saturday nights on YouTube, and bring your questions to the chat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The discussion turns inward as the panel explores how collectors actually decide what matters in their collection. Is value something you discover after the fact, or does price itself shape what you end up wanting? From year end pickup lists to war chests and oddball discoveries, this segment digs into how taste, memory, scarcity, and market signals quietly influence collecting behavior. The conversation also examines whether price is just opinion or a real source of power, why some cards only enter our consciousness once they sell for big money, and how story, provenance, and rarity create lasting interest in both vintage cards and on card autographs. In this episode: Whether seeing a big sale can change how desirable a card feels Ranking cards by personal meaning vs ranking them by market value Year end pickup lists as reflection, obligation, or performance The difference between mainstream comps and niche or oddball demand Why vintage cards retain relevance even without generational connection Price as a unit of exchange and why it still matters, even for purists Vintage on card autographs: durability, unknown supply, and rarity within rarity How story and provenance can outweigh condition and grade You can explore the Hobby Spectrum assessment and opt into the Spectrum Directory at HobbySpectrum.com. Sports Cards Live streams every Saturday night on YouTube, with the full audio released here on podcast platforms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this segment, the conversation shifts from results and strategy into something more fundamental: what “value” even means in the sports card hobby. The group digs into how price gets formed, why comps can both help and mislead, and whether the hobby can ever be considered an efficient market in any real sense. From vintage collectors who do not care about the money, to precision-minded hobbyists who do, the discussion lands on a core truth: this market runs on signals, stories, and human behavior. In this episode, we get into: The case for an all vintage show, and why vintage collectors often feel quieter online “I do not care about the money” vs “I enjoy the money part too” and how both can be true Price as the opinion of two people, and why that can be hard to anchor to Why comps and data tools can improve decision-making while also distorting it Grading as “better than nothing” and the problem of false precision What market efficiency actually means, and why sports cards break the rules The story of the card as a valuation lens, and why narratives keep engagement alive The evolution of pricing: dealer era → price guide era → big data era A quick detour into the “nice card” compliment, what it really means, and what it reveals about collectors Explore the Hobby Spectrum assessment and add yourself to the Spectrum Directory at HobbySpectrum.com. Want to catch the full show live? We stream Sports Cards Live on YouTube every Saturday night. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(As there was no livestrewam on Saturday December 27, this weeks podcasts will be from the previously unreleased emergency episode we recorded on December 15, the day the Beckett acquisition was announced, before the letter was written from congressman Patrick Ryan to the FTC to look into the competitive power of Collectors Holdings.) In this emergency episode of Sports Cards Live, we react in real time to one of the biggest hobby developments of the year: PSA has acquired Beckett. Joined by Graig Miller (Midlife Cards), Ari, Josh Adams, and Mike Petty, the conversation quickly turns intense as we break down what this acquisition could actually mean for collectors, graders, and the future of the hobby. Topics covered in Part 1 include: Why almost nobody wanted PSA to be the buyer Whether this was about grading, talent, or pure market control The Fanatics factor and why keeping Beckett away mattered Lessons learned from the SGC acquisition Monopoly concerns and antitrust realities IPO speculation and why investor optics may matter more than collectors Who this deal actually helps, and who it doesn't This is raw, unfiltered reaction from people who have lived through multiple hobby cycles and aren't buying the corporate spin. Part 1 sets the table. The temperature only rises from here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 295 of Sports Cards Live closes out with a blunt, necessary conversation about responsibility in the hobby. We finish unpacking the Wilt Chamberlain PSA downgrade and move past the shock value into the real issues: PSA's grade guarantee limits, insurance caps, NDAs, and why the buyer likely absorbed the majority of the loss. We debate why a buyer would request a review on a card that sold as a PSA 10, what PSA is and is not obligated to do under its own terms, and whether exceptions behind closed doors create fairness issues for the broader hobby. The conversation also tackles a key question raised in the chat: should auction houses like Heritage bear responsibility for selling overgraded cards? From contract law to hobby ethics, we draw a clear line between counterfeit liability and misgrading reality. We explain why auction houses are middlemen, not graders, and why shifting that responsibility would create even bigger conflicts of interest. This segment also touches on reslabbing policies, reholdering versus regrading, contingent liabilities, and why older slabs represent a structural challenge no grading company wants to fully reopen. The episode winds down with broader end-of-year reflections: grading trust, accountability, collector responsibility, and why “buyer beware” still matters even in a slabbed world. We close by looking ahead to 2026, upcoming shows, the Sport Card Expo in Toronto, and continued development of the Hobby Spectrum and Spectrum Directory. In this episode: Why PSA cannot simply erase past sales or comps Grade guarantee caps and why $800K losses are not getting reimbursed NDAs, discretionary payouts, and fairness concerns Reholdering vs regrading and why that distinction matters Why auction houses are not liable for grading outcomes Counterfeit cards vs overgraded cards: a critical legal difference Buyer responsibility at the ultra-high end of the hobby Why reopening decades of grading would be chaos End-of-year reflections and what to expect in 2026 Sports Cards Live streams live every Saturday night on YouTube. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss breaking hobby news, deep dives, and guest-driven conversations. You can also listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms. If you haven't yet, visit TheHobbySpectrum.com to join the waitlist, discover your collector identity, and add your social and hobby links to the Spectrum Directory. It's free to use and built for discoverability. Thank you for an incredible year. We'll see you in 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We tackle one of the biggest hobby moments of the year: Shohei Ohtani's 1-of-1 Gold MLB Logoman autograph selling for $3 million on Fanatics Collect, followed days later by a $3.1 million Jordan Kobe dual Logoman sale at Heritage. From there, the conversation widens into something much bigger than one card. Is modern ultra high-end moving too fast? Does a card need “time to breathe,” or does Ohtani's career, global reach, and historical context override that idea entirely? We compare the sale to Paul Skenes' $1.1 million debut patch, debate opportunity cost versus singular grail ownership, and question whether one or two buyers can drag an entire market upward. The discussion then pivots into a deep dive on the comp economy. How much judgment are collectors outsourcing to strangers? Are comps guidance or control? When do comps work, when do they break, and how do concepts like triangulation, opportunity cost, and buyer intent actually play out in real hobby behavior? The segment closes with a heavy PSA conversation following the downgrade of a Wilt Chamberlain rookie from PSA 10 to PSA 9, wiping out roughly $800,000 in market value. We discuss whether that sale should remain in public comp databases, if it deserves an asterisk, and what “descriptive vs prescriptive” data really means when trust, grading, and market memory collide. Join us live every Saturday night on YouTube for Sports Cards Live and be part of the conversation in real time. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss breaking hobby news, emergency streams, and guest-driven discussions. You can also listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms. And if you're exploring collector identity, head to TheHobbySpectrum.com to join the waitlist, get an access code, and add your hobby and social links to the Spectrum Directory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We pivot from PSA market power into something more personal: how public identity labels change behavior. If Spectrum results are visible, do people “answer toward who they want to be” instead of who they are? Does the hobby stigmatize flippers and dealers in a way that creates bias and self-reporting issues? Leighton joins briefly to share holiday wishes, show a few personal pickups, and then drops a surprise giveaway for the Sports Cards Live community. From there, the show bounces into a fun but legit vintage debate: 1948 Leaf Jackie vs 1949 Bowman Jackie, why the price gap exists, and why true oddball scarcity like Bond Bread still gets ignored by many collectors. We finish with some classic end-of-year stream energy, including a Bears comeback story and a quick WAR trivia segment. In this segment: Spectrum Directory updates: add your links, build discoverability, help people find you across social and hobby platforms The “assessment vs quiz vs test” framing, and why self-reporting can get messy when results are public Stigma in the hobby: flippers, dealers, and why some sellers feel better when they learn a card is going to a PC Transparency talk: leading by example as a creator, and why “hiding” can create its own assumptions Leighton joins, shares PC pickups (including a T206 and a modern 1/1 story), then gives away a 1958 Topps Ted Williams Live giveaway draw and winner announcement 1948 Leaf vs 1949 Bowman Jackie: aesthetics, demand, set prestige, and the “PSA decides reality” joke The curveball: Bond Bread Jackie scarcity and why mainstream collectors still treat it like an oddball footnote Bears vs Packers: the onside kick swing and overtime finish WAR trivia: which player led MLB in WAR the most seasons (answer revealed in the segment) Reminder: The Spectrum Directory is currently visible only to members inside the system, and retakes will be limited to once every 30 days so the profile stays meaningful over time. Join us live every Saturday night on YouTube for Sports Cards Live. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss breaking hobby news, emergency streams, and guest-heavy episodes. If you prefer audio, you can listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. And if you're checking out the Hobby Spectrum, head to TheHobbySpectrum.com to join the waitlist and get an access code as we onboard new users. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We close out Ep 293 with a full walkthrough of HobbySpectrum.com and what's coming next. Jeremy explains the core idea: discovering your collector identity by taking the Collector Investor Spectrum assessment and finding your placement across seven archetypes, from Purist to Tycoon. He also explains why the site is currently gated, why onboarding is gradual, and what listeners can do right now: join the waitlist and get ready to set aside 20 to 25 minutes for the assessment. Jeremy then shares a live look at the Spectrum Directory, including a new feature that lets you filter by score or archetype, see who matches your exact number, and quickly find like minded collectors. He also highlights a major update: members can now add their social links so the directory becomes a practical bridge to the platforms people already use, not a replacement for them. From there, the conversation shifts into a candid moment about the idea of transparency in the hobby. If we demand transparency from grading, auction houses, and platforms, what does it look like when collectors turn some of that transparency inward? Jeremy makes the point that opting into the directory is optional and privacy matters, but that the directory can help build real community if people choose to participate. The episode finishes with rapid fire comments and a fun closer: hobbyists share their favorite pickups and best hobby memories of 2025, from Ice Bowl history to Kobe refractors, Brady autos, vintage baseball, hockey heat, and everything in between. Jeremy and Josh also touch on the ongoing reality of grading inconsistency, why authentication still matters, and why buying the card, not the label, remains the best long term approach. Sports Cards Live streams every Saturday night on YouTube, with the chat driving the show. Subscribe so you do not miss an episode. If you are listening on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, follow the show and leave a rating and review. And if you want early access to the Collector Investor Spectrum assessment and directory, join the waitlist at HobbySpectrum.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The conversation continues with a wide ranging conversation that starts in Los Angeles and ends at the core of what the hobby really looks like. Ryan Veres shares his view on the Lakers market, LeBron's long term place in LA after retirement, and why Luka in a Lakers uniform has instantly reshaped demand. The discussion highlights how superstar legacies evolve locally and why LeBron's appeal goes far beyond one franchise. From there, the show pivots into a deeper conversation about hobby perception versus reality. Jeremy, Josh Adams, Joe Poirot, and Leighton Sheldon unpack the idea that “everyone is a flipper” and why that narrative simply does not hold up. Real world examples from card shows, shops, and personal collections point to a much quieter majority of collectors who buy for nostalgia, personal meaning, and long term enjoyment, often spending modest amounts and never posting online. The group digs into how social media distorts what we think the hobby is, why big money cards dominate feeds while everyday collectors stay invisible, and how platforms like Instagram and YouTube shape different versions of reality. They also discuss consolidation trends, why the same handful of vintage cards appear everywhere, and how many collectors are deliberately moving off the beaten path into second year cards, oddballs, sets, and under the radar material. The episode closes with reflections on collecting purely for joy. Stories of collectors building stacks from $5 to $50 boxes, discovering new personal collecting lanes late in life, and even shopping your own inventory underline a simple truth: there are endless ways to collect, and most of them have nothing to do with flipping, flexing, or chasing approval. Sports Cards Live streams every Saturday night on YouTube, and the chat is part of the show. Jump in live with your questions, takes, and debates. If you are watching on YouTube, subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss a stream. If you are listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, follow the show and leave a rating and review. It helps more than you think. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a hobby friend who will appreciate the conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeremy Lee, Joe Poirot, Ryan Veres of Burbank Sports Cards, and later Leighton Sheldon of Just Collect, moving from shop philosophy into what the market feels like right now in real time. Ryan explains why Southern California is, in his view, the best sports card market in the world, how Burbank became what it is through family roots that go back generations, and why the West Coast Card Show matters beyond revenue: it gives the region a true destination event that pulls collectors and dealers from all over. From there, we get into how a massive operation stays tight. Ryan talks checks and balances, logging purchases, accounting flow, and a core principle that sellers should get paid instantly. He also shares a behind-the-scenes experiment he's building: real time wax pricing using electronic signage that can update like a gas station, with the goal of transparency and keeping prices fair as markets move. The conversation also tackles the “priced out of the hobby” narrative. Ryan breaks down how Rob constantly builds value sections like vintage boxes, $10-and-under, and $100-and-under showcases so collectors can still walk out happy without needing big money. Then the guys get into dealer reality: how “percentage” buying questions miss the point, when a dealer might pay what looks like full market on the right card, and why having a small, controlled high end vault can help facilitate major trade ups for customers. We close with what's hot right now. Leighton shares what he's seeing at the Philly Show, from the usual heavy hitters like Mantle, Jackie, Old Judge, and Jordan, to the truth that even seven copies of the same card still might not be the right copy for one buyer. Ryan talks modern demand for rare, high eye appeal cards that do not surface often, some hockey pickup momentum with Cup season, and what actually sells fast in a shop like Burbank. And one more collector nuance that matters: faded autos. Ryan explains why shops treat them as damaged, Leighton explains why he often avoids them entirely, and Joe adds the collector perspective on curating out anything that does not hold up visually. Sports Cards Live streams every Saturday night on YouTube, and the chat is part of the show. Jump in live with your questions, takes, and debates. If you're watching on YouTube, subscribe and hit the notification bell so you don't miss a stream. If you're listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, follow the show and leave a rating and review, it helps a ton. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a hobby friend who'd be into the conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 293 continues with Jeremy Lee, Joe Poirot, and Ryan Veres of Burbank Sports Cards, digging into how Ryan values cards when speed matters: gut feel versus comp tools, why blanket “percentage” buying is a broken way to think, and how eye appeal can completely change the number even when the grade is the same. We also get an update on Burbank's eBay status and the ongoing transition toward Fanatics Collect, why offers sometimes went unanswered in the past and what's changed operationally, plus the real on-the-ground reality of TCG taking up more table space at local shows and what promoters can do about it. Ryan also shares practical advice for anyone opening a shop: build relationships with other store owners, create a strong local network, and do not rely on straight distribution if you want to survive. From there, the conversation touches on what it's like running a bucket list store, whether Burbank worries about copycats, and the competitive mindset that keeps the team sharp. We also get Ryan's perspective on PSA Offers and how Burbank participates as an approved buyer, along with a sober look at shipping theft risks this time of year and why insurance matters when you're moving higher-end cards. We close with talk about the West Coast Card Show and how it feeds the Burbank brand, even if the economics of running a big show can be brutal. Sports Cards Live streams every Saturday night on YouTube, and the chat is part of the show. Jump in live with your questions, takes, and debates. If you're watching on YouTube, subscribe and hit the notification bell so you don't miss a stream. If you're listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, follow the show and leave a rating and review, it helps a ton. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a hobby friend who'd be into the conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We kick off Episode 293 with Jeremy Lee and Joe Poirot, starting with a new pickup for Joe's collection: a 2008 Upper Deck Premier Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant Remnants quad jersey card numbered to 50. From there, we open up a fun chat-wide debate about dual player cards, what makes a pairing work, and which athlete combinations would be the ultimate hobby matchup. Then Ryan Veres of Burbank Sports Cards joins the show for a behind-the-scenes look at how Burbank has scaled, why the shop feels like “a show every day,” and how they think about liquidity, inventory turnover, dealer activity, and using clean data to track demand and guide smarter buying decisions. Sports Cards Live streams every Saturday night on YouTube, and the chat is part of the show, so jump in live and bring your takes, questions, and hot card debates. If you're watching on YouTube, make sure you subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss a Saturday stream. If you're listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please follow the show and leave a rating and review, it helps more than you think. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a hobby friend who'd appreciate the discussion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Attention turns to Upper Deck and Jeremy does not hold back. He walks through the story behind the 2003 Exquisite Tribute Wayne Gretzky 1/1 from the new Cup release, comparing the slick solicitation image to the actual card that surfaced: a different patch and a badly smudged, weak gold autograph on what should be one of the key cards in the entire product. Jeremy explains why he thinks this is a failure at multiple levels. He questions why the mockup used a fantasy level patch that does not exist in the production run, why the autograph pen was not tested properly, and why the card was allowed to be packed out instead of being pulled and replaced with a redemption and a remade version. He is clear that he respects the people at Upper Deck but argues that this specific card makes the brand look careless at the top end of the market and that it crosses the line from acceptable variation into something that feels like bait and switch for a product that costs thousands per tin. From there, the conversation shifts into something Jeremy has been hinting at for months. He finally reveals the project he has been working on behind the scenes alongside his book: a collector identity assessment that maps hobbyists on a 0 to 100 collector–investor spectrum. He introduces the seven archetypes that live along that spectrum, from Purist and Nostalgic through Precisionist, Hybrid, Builder, Operator, and Tycoon, and explains how your answers place you into both a score range and a detailed written profile. Jeremy and Joe talk through why this spectrum exists, how it grew out of years of conversation about “collector vs investor,” and why most people live somewhere in between. They discuss how a shared set of archetypes can give the hobby clearer language, help collectors better understand their own motivations, and make conversations at shows and online more grounded in where people are actually coming from. Jeremy shares that the tool is in early beta with only a handful of people tested so far, that the core assessment is intended to be free, and that future layers will add modifiers, maturity progression within each archetype, and deeper optional insights. Sports Cards Live is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. Follow or subscribe, leave a rating and review if you are getting value from these conversations, and join us live on YouTube Saturday nights to be part of the chat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeremy Lee and Joe Poirot kick off this four-part run from Sports Cards Live episode 292 with a big vintage mailday and a tough ethical question for the hobby. Joe walks through his latest pickup, a T206 Cy Young “bare hand shows” in a PSA 1 slab with elite centering, color, and eye appeal that completes his three-card Cy Young T206 flight. That card opens a wider conversation about which Hall of Famers will actually stand the test of time and how storytelling keeps players like Cy Young, Larry Doby, Joe Jackson and others relevant for future generations. From there, Jeremy reads an email from a new listener and former prosecutor who worries that phrases like “essence of shill” risk normalizing shill bidding. Jeremy lays out his position on calling fraud what it is while still being honest about how much of it is already baked into comp data, and why pretending the market is clean does more harm than good for collectors trying to protect themselves. The segment wraps with a discussion on why hobby drama videos tend to out-perform thoughtful history content, how “evergreen” storytelling works on a different clock than breaking scandals, and why the community still needs both. Sports Cards Live is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. Follow or subscribe for free, leave a rating and review if you enjoy the show, and join us Saturday nights on YouTube for the live conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sports Cards Live 290 keeps rolling as hobby attorney Paul Lesko sticks around and is joined by Chris McGill and Josh Adams from Card Ladder to unpack more of the biggest legal battles shaping the hobby. In this segment they hit: Panini vs Fanatics antitrust Wild Card vs Panini antitrust BCW vs Ultra Pro over “penny sleeve” and “top loader” trademarks LeBron RPA / Goldin / Card Porn business disparagement dispute Messi Green Kaboom one of one broken contract case Collectable fractional fallout and investor information rights Shill bidding, specific performance, and how courts might treat unique grails Sponsor notes:  Go to ⁠hellofresh.com/cards10fm⁠ to get 10 free meals plus free breakfast for life, one per box.

Sports Cards Live 290 continues with hobby attorney Paul Lesko joining Jeremy for a sharp follow up to the auction house discussion with Jeff Marren of Rockhurst Auctions. This second of four segments from the November 22, 2025 live stream digs into bidder privacy, collusion concerns, and a stack of current hobby lawsuits that every collector should understand. In this episode you will hear: Jeff answering viewer Skeppy's question about how important privacy and anonymity are in the auction world, and why most bidders and consignors do not actually want their identities shared. A hard look at the push for more transparency in bidding, what collectors really want to see, and why public bidder identities can open the door to collusion, harassment, and back-channel deal making. Jeremy's comparison to real estate offers and client lists, and Jeff's blunt take that bidder and consigner data is proprietary relationship capital for an auction house, not something the public has a “right” to. Chat reactions from vintage and “new school” hobbyists who were raised on eBay and mall card shows, why reserves and 150 year old rules feel archaic, and what it means to “vote with your wallet.” Discussion of fixed price and “buy it now” style listings on traditional auction platforms, private treaty sales, and how auction houses try to balance consignor risk with a functioning marketplace. Paul's legal lens on bidder anonymity, client lists, and why courts often treat that information as protected business property under protective orders. Then Paul kicks off a rapid fire legal update round, including: Upper Deck vs Ravensburger (Lorcana case) – How Upper Deck claimed Lorcana stole game mechanics from its unreleased Rush of Ichor TCG, why game mechanics are very hard to protect with copyright, and how a multi year fight led to Ravensburger being cleared and only a small settlement with the individual designer. Blank vs Beckett – A new case where a collector alleges Beckett lost 87 rare Stan Lee autograph cards that he values at around 250 thousand dollars, and why the terms you click on for grading companies matter when cards go missing. Lance Jackson vs Collectors Universe and PSA – The nightmare scenario of sending in a key Kobe Bryant Topps Chrome rookie, getting it back with a lower grade and visible damage, and what a live trial could mean for how grading companies handle damaged cards and declared values. The “lost” T206 Honus Wagner vs BGS – A wild allegation that a Wagner was submitted 12 years ago and never returned, what statutes of limitation really are, and why waiting a decade to sue is usually a fatal mistake no matter how strong the story feels. A bigger conversation about terms of service, arbitration clauses, class action waivers, and why collectors almost never read what they are agreeing to when they click “I accept.” Jeremy's question about whether anyone in the hobby will ever differentiate by surfacing key terms in plain language and forcing users to acknowledge the important parts, instead of burying everything in boilerplate. Sponsor notes:  Go to hellofresh.com/cards10fm to get 10 free meals plus free breakfast for life, one per box. If you enjoy these in depth hobby and legal breakdowns:

Sports Cards Live 290 kicks off with co host Joe Poirot and special guest Jeff Marin of Rockhurst Auctions for a deep dive into how traditional auction houses actually work, why reserves exist, and what the latest Snipe and COMC drama says about trust in the hobby. This is the first of four segments cut from the full live stream recorded on November 22, 2025. In this episode you will hear: Jeremy's Saturday night open, with updates on the Fanatics Collect Weekly Auction Ending Watch Party, the new “From the Front Row” series with Front Row Card Show, and his recent conversation with hobby OG Brandon Steiner. Recap of Jeremy, Joe and Chris McGill's appearances on Graig's Midlife Cards channel and how those conversations set up tonight's focus on auctions, reserves and hobby trust. Gretzky rookie talk, Topps versus O Pee Chee, what population reports really tell you, and why more collectors are demanding strong eye appeal instead of just an old grade on the flip. Reaction to Dr Beckett's appearance on Hobby Hotline, the Geoff Wilson interview, and the fatigue many collectors feel around apology tours and “can we move on yet” discourse. Breakdown of the Snype launch issues after Rick Probstein's move off eBay, the site going dark on its first big night, worries about data and screenshots circulating on social, and what all of that means for any new auction platform. Discussion of fresh COMC rumors, a long time employee exiting, a tweet suggesting the company might be “in trouble,” and why broken telephone and the hobby rumor mill can distort reality fast. A full segment with Jeff Marren of Rockhurst Auctions covering how traditional auction houses handle reserves, why “active reserves” exist, why most lots actually run without reserves, how opening bids create momentum, what consignors misunderstand, and how bidders should assess whether to stay in or step out. Jeff's take on how eBay trained the hobby to chase last second “wins,” why many collectors are addicted to the idea of scoring under market, and how old hobby scars from scams and bad deals make drama based content so magnetic. If you enjoy these in depth hobby conversations:

Sports Cards Live host Jeremy Lee sits down with hobby OG Brandon Steiner of CollectibleXchange for a blunt conversation about grading, gambling, and greed in today's sports card market. In this episode we tackle the uncomfortable questions. Are auctions broken for everyday collectors, how deep does shill bidding and market manipulation really go, and what happens when breaks, repacks, and live streams start to look a lot like gambling addiction instead of hobby fun. This episode also features:

Dan the Card Lawyer and Josh Adams from 90s Auctions join us to keep pulling back the curtain on shill bidding, reserves, and how auction houses really work behind the scenes. We look at where “accepted hobby practice” ends and fraud begins, why some newer hobby-first auction houses are drawing hard lines, and how much shill is quietly baked into the prices we all rely on. We also touch on eBay authentication horror stories, stolen mail, and whether it is even possible to collect without being touched by any of this. Highlights include: A criminal defense lawyer's perspective on shill bidding, fraud, and why some practices cross the line An auction owner explaining why 90s Auctions walked away from reserves and house bidding How guarantees, reserves, and “system bids” can warp prices long before you place your max bid The uncomfortable question of how much shill is baked into almost every COMP in the hobby Your comments drive the show, so bring your questions and experiences to the live chat. If you find value in this conversation, please hit like, subscribe to Sports Cards Live, and share the episode with another collector who needs to hear it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sports Cards Live 289 keeps the heat on the biggest issue in the hobby right now. Jeremy and Dan take a hard look at shill bidding, reserve games, and how bad data can quietly push every collector into paying more than they should. The conversation turns blunt, practical, and focused on what real solutions could look like and how collectors can protect themselves in the meantime. In this segment of Sports Cards Live 289, we cover: • Why shill bidding and reserve logic are more connected than most people realize • How inflated or faulty COMPs can affect your max bid without you noticing • Where the legal line sits between shady tactics and actual fraud • What a healthier, more transparent auction environment would require Your comments and questions drive the show, so jump in and tell us where you stand on bidding trust and what changes you want to see in the hobby. If you enjoy the content, please: • Subscribe to Sports Cards Live on YouTube • Follow on Spotify or Apple Podcasts • Leave a rating or review to help more collectors find the show Thank you for watching Sports Cards Live. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sports Cards Live 289 keeps rolling as Jeremy, Leighton, and Dan mix vintage story time with some uncomfortable questions about how our comp driven hobby really works. Leighton shares a new prewar pickup with a great family backstory, Jeremy shows off a low grade vintage grail that punches way above the label, and Dan comes in hot with ideas on what needs to change at the auction house level if collectors are going to trust comps again. In this segment of Sports Cards Live 289, we touch on: • A rare prewar pickup Leighton chased to Nashville, including why its regional roots and family history make it more than just another group of old cards • Jeremy's latest vintage hockey addition that tests how far you are willing to bend on grade when centering, color, and overall presence are all there • The challenge of valuing cards that almost never trade publicly, and what it looks like to price and buy in a world where the usual comp tools are not much help • Dan's case for stronger transparency from auction houses, from bidder vetting to what we should really be able to see when we place a bid • How secret reserves, house bidding, and inflated bid counts can quietly shape prices and collector behavior far beyond a single auction • The tension between fighting the good fight on shill bidding and still keeping enough joy in the hobby to enjoy shows, trades, and collecting with friends Your comments and questions drive the show, so jump in live or in the replay chat and let us know where you stand on rare regional issues, low grade stunners, and what you expect from auction houses going forward. If you enjoy the content, please: • Subscribe to Sports Cards Live on YouTube • Follow on your favorite podcast platform, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts • Leave a rating and review so more collectors can find the show Thank you for watching Sports Cards Live. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sports Cards Live 289 continues with a big reveal and a very different kind of hobby conversation. Jeremy officially announces his upcoming book, “POPs and COMPs: Truths, Insights and the psychology behind the numbers that drive the sports card market,” and walks through what it covers, how it is structured, and why it has consumed his time for the last several months. The discussion then turns to Appendix F and why a detailed breakdown of auction house reserves, house bidding, employee bidding, and shill bidding policies feels especially relevant right now. From there, the conversation shifts into collecting philosophy, the realities of hobby drama, and a fun vintage segment around 1953 Topps icons and the concept of “flight collecting.” In this episode of Sports Cards Live 289, we discuss: • The announcement of “POPs and COMPs” and how the book grew from a 22,000 word idea into an 80,000 plus word manuscript with 83 chapters and seven appendices • The six part structure of the book, including foundations, pops, comps, integration, demand drivers, and psychology, plus why the appendices are packed with practical tools • Appendix F and its focus on auction house reserve policies, employee bidding, house bidding, and shill bidding across more than thirty companies • How the book handles sensitive topics like population control without throwing reckless accusations while still asking hard questions collectors care about • Why Jeremy chose self publishing on Amazon to keep creative control and move faster rather than waiting a year or more for a traditional route • A first tease of the separate web based project being built with a software development team, what the MVP timeline looks like, and why it is designed to compete with nobody yet be useful to everybody • Leighton's perspective on ignoring daily hobby drama, focusing on family, store level reality, and why a clear educational resource is badly needed right now • Joe's 1953 Topps “flight” approach to collecting Mantle, Jackie, and Satchel Paige, along with a thought experiment about a hypothetical 1952 Topps high number Satchel and what that would mean for value and priority • A quick recap of the Jackie Robinson Museum event and how well run hobby experiences connect history, education, and collecting Your comments and questions drive the show, so share your thoughts on the book concept, Appendix F, auction house transparency, and how you approach building your own collection. If you enjoy the content, please: • Subscribe to Sports Cards Live on YouTube • Follow on your favorite podcast platform, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts • Leave a rating and review so more collectors can find the show Thank you for listening to Sports Cards Live. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sports Cards Live 289 kicks off with a heavy dose of real hobby talk. Jeremy and Joe open the show with collector shout outs, Expo reflections, and then dive into a powerful story driven pickup that has nothing to do with chasing comps and everything to do with history, scarcity, and meaning. From there, the conversation turns blunt as they walk through a rough SGC vintage submission, what the grades looked like, and what it might say about where grading is heading right now. Along the way, Jeremy starts to peel back the curtain on the long teased Appendix F project and how it fits into the broader auction and grading landscape. In this episode of Sports Cards Live 289, we discuss: • The story behind an 1888 Goodwin Champions Isaac Murphy card and why it instantly became a top twenty piece • How history, racial context, and true scarcity can make a “modest” card feel like a grail • The reality of shipping, authentication, and the fear of losing an irreplaceable vintage card in the mail • A frustrating SGC grading return on clean 1973 Topps cards and why the grades did not match collector expectations • What collectors are seeing from SGC lately, from stricter standards to fears that the brand is being left to die • Why PSA's guarantee and fee structure still shape the market and how secondary buyers benefit from that insurance • Early hints about Appendix F and how auction house policies and grading companies collide in today's hobby Your comments and questions drive the show, so share your thoughts on story driven collecting, grading changes, and the future of SGC. If you enjoy the content, please: • Subscribe to Sports Cards Live on YouTube • Follow on your favorite podcast platform, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts • Leave a rating and review so more collectors can find the show Thank you for listening to Sports Cards Live. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A lively roundtable on the big question: can curation be art? We compare collection-building to composing music—layers, sequencing, and narrative—plus mixtapes/DJ sampling, museum installation, and how display choices (binders, walls, set runs) create meaning. We draw a line between accumulation and authorship: intent, coherence, and communication turn a pile of cards into a personal statement. Along the way: eye appeal vs grade, why some sets read like albums, and how a collection can transparently reflect identity—even if you don't call yourself an “artist.” We finish with chat takes and a palate-cleanser lightning round: GOAT Halloween candy (Rockets/Smarties, Twix, Reese's, KitKat, Nerds Candy Corn, and more). Highlights Curation vs creation: When selection, sequencing, and presentation become authorship Music parallels: Layering, sampling, mixtapes, and “binder as album” storytelling Aesthetic judgment: Eye appeal over label; why some 9s beat 10s Display matters: Frames, binders, themed runs—the message is the medium Community voices: Chat pushes back and builds on the “art or acquisition?” spectrum Sign-off: Next streams, Expo schedule note, and the time-change reminder If you're into deep-dive hobby conversations, subscribe to Sports Cards Live and tap the

Programming note: This is a mid-week programming interruption so everyone can pre-game for The Expo. We're sliding these Wednesday/Thursday drops in, and Sports Cards Live resumes on Friday. There will be no episodes next week on Wednesday/Thursday/Friday. Part 2 dives into on-floor tactics, vendor best practices, and the week's community events. We talk why price tags on the front of the card convert, how payment actually works in Canada (cash is king, e-transfer is common; PayPal/credit accepted by many), and simple fraud prevention (check ID, be mindful of stolen cards/tap limits). We also cover which Expo days deliver what, a quick autograph stage update (one guest shifts off due to scheduling), and how to prep: comfy shoes, anti-fatigue mats, and a big refillable water bottle. Plus: where to find ultra high-end vintage hockey on the floor and our exact spot. Highlights Dealer tips that help buyers buy: price tags on the front, be present, keep conversations easy Payments 101 (Canada): cash, Interac e-Transfer, many vendors with Square/Stripe/Clover; ATMs on site get refilled Fraud prevention: verify ID on larger credit transactions; be cautious with tap limits Days & pace: why Thursday/Friday are prime hunting; how Saturday/Sunday feel different for deals and mobility Autograph stage update: one signer off due to schedule; others still on deck What's on display: ultra high-end vintage hockey in a major vintage booth; our own showcases priced, binders unpriced but deals are happening Events week at a glance: Wed: pre-show trade night (near Yorkdale) Thu: industry meet-up with giveaways/appies (minutes from the venue) Fri: VIP appreciation inside the building, a stand-up comedy show nearby, and a community rip party Sat: Mint Inc. trade night (proceeds to Mackenzie Health Foundation for mental health) Fun extras: eBay's on-site gaming zone; big-booth raffles and activations; giveaway for a Matthew Knies game-used signed stick Collector talk: when buying without COMPs actually works; IP autos vs. game-used signatures; why in-person hobby time beats pure screen time Find us: Booth 1707—come say hi, flip through the binders, bring your trade box, and let's make some deals. Subscribe/follow so you catch this mid-week pair before showtime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Support the show If you enjoy Sports Cards Live, follow and rate the podcast, share this episode with a hobby friend, and turn on notifications so you never miss a new segment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Support the show Subscribe, rate, and review Sports Cards Live. Share this episode with a hobby friend who buys and sells online. Turn on notifications so you never miss a new segment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Part 1 of Episode 283 of Sports Cards Live, Jeremy Lee is joined by co-host Joe Poirot for a wide-ranging hobby conversation. The guys kick things off with announcements about upcoming shows, bonus episodes, and community shoutouts before diving deep into one of the hottest topics in the hobby right now: vaults and grading. Jeremy and Joe discuss: How vaults like Fanatics Collect, PSA, COMC, and ShipMyCards are reshaping the collector experience The pros and cons of using vaults for security, liquidity, and convenience Jeremy's first-ever PSA submission through COMC and why the simplicity won him over Whether vaults are really for collectors or just fueling flippers The heated question: Is card grading a scam… or just a sham? A fun thought experiment: what cards would Joe buy if his collection vanished and insurance made him start from scratch The live chat also jumps in with sharp insights, challenges, and hobby banter, making this a classic Sports Cards Live Saturday night discussion. Recorded Sept 20, 2025 Sponsor Note:  Go to ⁠⁠hellofresh.com/cards10fm⁠⁠ now to get 10 free meals plus a free item for life, one per box with active subscription free meals applied as a discount on the first box. New subscribers only, and it varies by plan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 282, Part 1 of Sports Cards Live kicks off with Joe Poirot from Santa Cruz as we dig into whether the hobby is frothy or in a full bubble, how injuries to Brock Purdy and Caitlin Clark ripple through prices, and why strong eye appeal in lower grades continues to command premiums. We also explore consolidation strategy, Fanatics and the 10x idea, record-setting sales bringing new attention to the market, and grading transparency with a visit from Graig Miller of Midlife Cards. Highlights Are we in a bubble or just a frothy upswing Brock Purdy and Caitlin Clark injuries and market impact Paying over comps for low grade, high eye appeal vintage Vault proceeds and the backdoor consolidation play What “10x the hobby” really means Record sales, attention, and demand The grading black box: standards, tech, and transparency Recorded: Saturday, September 13, 2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part 3 continues the “priced out” conversation with Jeremy and Mike Zier, joined midway by Karvin Cheung (creator of Exquisite, The Cup, National Treasures, and more) and later Chris McGill of Card Ladder. What starts as a collector's reality check on wax prices evolves into a roundtable on distribution, licensing, breakers, and the overall state of the hobby. From $12.9M grails to $800 wax boxes, this discussion spans both ends of the spectrum, and asks whether regular collectors can still find their lane. Highlights Collector angst: returns shrinking while wax prices soar Breaking then vs. breaking now, does it still offer value? Carvin on licensing, distribution, and why the ecosystem fuels high prices Chris McGill connects rising wax costs to broader inflation and everyday life Is “don't open it” the only way to push wax prices down? The tension between million-dollar grails and collectors just wanting affordable packs Discipline, budgets, and staying grounded in today's market If you want straight talk on wax costs, the breaking economy, and the state of the hobby from both collectors and industry insiders, this episode is for you. And don't forget, watch Sports Cards Live most Saturday nights on YouTube for live, interactive conversations with hobby voices at every level. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeremy and Leighton open Part 2 by tackling the “priced out” question head-on before Mike Zier jumps in with a candid collector's perspective from the trenches, selling down, shifting to singles, and finding peace without chasing every comp. We get real about wax FOMO vs. expected value, what “being in the hobby” actually means, how to cope when prices outpace budgets, and why it's okay to love cards without loving the market. Leighton bows out midway; Jeremy and Mike keep it rolling with practical strategies regular collectors can use right now. Highlights “Adapt or get out?” unpacked: what staying looks like when wax is $500–$800 Singles over wax: maximizing joy and minimizing regret The dopamine problem: ripping vs. actually getting the cards you want Feeling underappreciated as a long-timer, and moving forward anyway Tracking every cent vs. ignoring the ticker: two healthy mindsets Using eBay solds as simple comps (and when to skip comps entirely) If you enjoy honest talk about budgets, wax vs. singles, and collecting for joy (not just headlines), this episode is for you. And don't forget, watch Sports Cards Live most Saturday nights on YouTube for live, interactive conversations with collectors, dealers, and industry voices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One week after the record-setting $12.9M Jordan/Kobe Logoman sale, we ask: did it truly lift the hobby, or just the high-end yacht club? Jeremy and Joe Poirot break down the reactions, from skepticism to excitement, before Leighton Sheldon joins to share perspective from the vintage side. Together we tackle whether the sale is a real comp or an outlier, what it means for vintage vs modern, how scarcity is understood today, and whether collectors should be trimming, holding, or reallocating in a frothy market. Highlights One week later: comp vs outlier and how much weight the sale should carry PR, syndicates, and perception: does attention create “fractionalization 2.0”? Manufactured vs organic scarcity: why both now drive demand Vintage pride vs modern crown: what actually shifts for collectors Leighton's playbook: liquidity, risk management, and taking chips off the table Card allocation vs net worth: how deep is too deep? Next record-breaker candidates: '52 Topps Mantle, T206 Wagner, a Ruth rookie If you enjoy deep hobby conversations that go beyond headlines and comps, this episode is for you. And don't forget, watch Sports Cards Live every Saturday night on YouTube for live, interactive discussions with collectors, dealers, and industry leaders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part five of the Sports Cards Live stream from Saturday, August 23, 2025, history is made as the 2007 Exquisite Jordan–Kobe Dual Logoman Autograph 1/1 sells for $12.932 million, setting a new record for the most expensive publicly sold sports card of all time. Jeremy, Brent Weyer, and Chris McGill share live reactions with over 300 viewers as the auction closes, reflecting on what this moment means for the hobby. The panel dives deep into the implications: are PSA 10 vintage grails trustworthy, or are they overgraded time bombs? Does the true value of modern masterpieces come from auto quality, patch authenticity, and game use rather than technical grades? And how should collectors view concepts like “artificial rarity” versus organic scarcity? They also explore the ripple effects: how Kobe's legacy — heightened by his tragic passing — shaped demand, whether heritage auction fees influence seller behavior, and what this watershed moment could mean for the next wave of cards to hit the market. Highlights include: Live coverage of the record-breaking $12.9M Jordan–Kobe Logoman sale Grading skepticism and the power of PSA's brand vs. the card itself Why patch and autograph quality may matter more than grades Kobe's passing and its impact on his long-term hobby standing Pop reports vs. lived scarcity in today's market What record-setting sales might bring out of collections next This final segment captures the energy, controversy, and history of a night when the hobby's all-time record was shattered live on Sports Cards Live. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part four of the Sports Cards Live stream from Saturday, August 23, 2025, the Jordan–Kobe Dual Logoman Exquisite Autograph surges past the $10 million mark live on air, ultimately climbing toward its record-breaking $12M+ finish. Jeremy, Brent Weyer, and Chris McGill track the drama in real time, unpacking what the sale means for grading, rarity, and the psychology of high-stakes bidding. The discussion ranges from the legitimacy of “manufactured rarity” to whether grade even matters for a one-of-one grail. The panel also wrestles with a central hobby question: if Michael Jordan is clearly No. 1, who is No. 2? Names like Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Tom Brady are all debated as the community weighs legacy, market caps, and cultural impact. Highlights include: The Jordan–Kobe Logoman breaking into 8-figure territory live on Sports Cards Live Manufactured rarity vs. organic rarity in the hobby Does grade matter at all for one-of-ones? Ego, status, and trophy bidding in high-end auctions The debate over who ranks No. 2 after Michael Jordan — Mantle, Ruth, LeBron, Kobe, Brady, or someone else? Shaq's surprising hobby index strength and whether undervalued stars ever catch up This was one of the most electric hobby nights in recent memory — and Sports Cards Live was right there with the audience as history unfolded. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part three of the Sports Cards Live stream from Saturday, August 23, 2025, Jeremy welcomes Chris McGill (@chris_hoj) alongside Brent Weyer (@deepvalueinvestor) as the Heritage Auctions bidding drama heats up. The iconic Jordan–Kobe Dual Logoman Exquisite Autograph climbs past $9 million, sparking debate on whether it deserves to rank among the greatest cards in basketball history. The conversation expands into the role of grading, questioning whether graded scarcity creates real value or if condition scarcity and eye appeal are what truly matter. The panel also tackles the flaws in Michael Jordan's card catalog, why he doesn't have a “perfect” rookie-era grail like modern stars do, and how that shapes the chase for the ultimate Jordan card. Highlights include: The Jordan–Kobe Dual Logoman breaking into record territory Grading scarcity vs. condition scarcity — what collectors should really value The role of eye appeal and why not all 10s are created equal Why Michael Jordan doesn't have a single “perfect” rookie grail The debate: PMG Green, Logomans, or something else as Jordan's apex card This is a can't-miss segment for anyone fascinated by high-end sports cards, the psychology of grading, and the never-ending pursuit of defining hobby “greatness.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices