Sports Cards are Dope

Fanatics is experimenting with a completely different way to buy hobby packs—and I spent $100 of my own money to see what it’s actually like.

The cards are physical, the pack opening happens digitally, and collectors can immediately ship, vault, or sell what they pull. That convenience could make hobby products dramatically more accessible—but it also raises some interesting questions about how easy ripping should become.

Timestamps

00:00 Why this could change hobby collecting
03:23 How the digital hobby pack actually works
04:05 I turned $100 into about $7
09:06 The biggest advantages for collec...

PSA grading has a problem most companies would LOVE to have: too many customers.

After shutting down its Value grading tiers to attack a massive backlog, PSA has now extended turnaround estimates on cards already in the system.

So is PSA failing collectors — or is this actually the ultimate proof of how dominant PSA has become?

We break down the backlog, the frustration collectors are feeling, why people keep submitting anyway, and the one question that matters: How bad would PSA have to get before collectors actually leave?

ALT is taking bids on the massive Cooper Flagg 1/1 Rookie Debut Patch Auto — without actually having the card consigned. And that raises a fascinating question for the sports card hobby: should every major auction house do this?

We break down why this model could give sellers more power, why auction houses might hate the transparency, and whether this could become the sports-card version of free agency for the hobby’s biggest grails.

or it didn't. i dunno. but also i recorded this BEFORE the Cooper was hit. that's on me. 

I spent about $9,000 at The National.

But the craziest part?

Prices were HIGH. Deals on the most desirable players were tough to find, the aisles were packed, and I searched the entire show for one specific card without finding it.

I broke down everything I noticed—and how the trip changed the way I’m thinking about my collection.

New episode is live.

holla @ me if you're there AND DO NOT BUY ANY JORDAN POOLE CARDS THEY ARE MINE pretty please jk but fr 

If you're heading to Fanatics Fest for the first time, don't make the mistake of treating it like a normal card show.

Fanatics Fest is part sports convention, part fan experience, and part hobby event—and approaching it the right way can completely change your weekend. In this episode, I share the biggest mistakes attendees make, how to avoid wasting time, and the strategies that will help you get the most out of the event whether you're there for cards, autographs, networking, or the overall experience.

We'll cover:

* Why Fanatics Fest is different fr...

I spent an entire NBA season as a season ticket holder and learned things you simply can't see on TV.

From player interactions and autograph stories to what NBA warmups reveal about elite talent, here's everything that surprised me after attending more than 20 games.

Timestamps

The 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card isn't just another rookie card—it's arguably the most iconic modern baseball card ever made. But why?

In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope (SCAD), we take a deep dive into the history of the legendary 1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. We explore how Upper Deck revolutionized the sports card industry, why they made Griffey card #1 in their very first baseball set, and how this card became the face of the Junk Wax Era.

We also break down PSA population reports, raw and graded va...

http://tarvercards.com
Fanatics just made a move that most collectors are overlooking.
Collect Originals isn't just another content platform—it's the missing piece in a much bigger strategy to keep collectors engaged long after they buy their first pack.

College sports cards used to be an afterthought.

Now one of the most successful tech investors in sports has acquired a company built around college athletes—and that could signal a major shift in where sports fandom and collecting begin.

In this episode, we break down what the acquisition means for NIL, athlete branding, college fandom, and the future of sports cards.

Cards HQ just announced a major expansion backed by serious investment money—and collectors are divided.

Is this the future of the hobby, or the beginning of something collectors may regret?

Timestamps

00:00 – Are hobby shops becoming too corporate?
 01:03 – The Cards HQ expansion announcement explained
 05:42 – The local card shop experience collectors love
 08:32 – The biggest benefits of large-scale hobby stores
 13:04 – The risks and downsides collectors should consider
 16:39 – The four stages of hobby shop evolution
 18:07 – Why influence, trust, and collector behavior matter

Whether you're a longtime collector or just getting into spor...

The NBA Finals have become more than a championship series—they've turned into a battle between two completely different sports card philosophies.

Should collectors chase generational potential, or should they reward proven winners? Using Victor Wembanyama and Jalen Brunson as examples, this episode explores one of the biggest questions in the hobby today.

Timestamps

0:00 Potential vs Winning in Sports Cards
3:00 The Wembanyama Collector vs Brunson Collector
6:30 Wembanyama's Record-Breaking Card Sales
12:15 Why Brunson Represents Everything Collectors Claim They Want
19:20 Will the Hobby Reprice Winning?

PSA just paused its most popular grading tiers, and the hobby is divided.

Is this a warning sign for collectors, or proof that grading demand has reached an entirely new level? Let's break down what happened, who wins, who loses, and what this could mean for the future of card collecting.

When is the deal lockdown? Legitimately asking. Also the app that I'm trying to see if is good is called "Card Trade" so you can just search down on the App Store and if you use promo code TARVER they say it will give you half off or something. No pressure. That's not what this episode is mainly about. It's about how much I love you.

Everyone’s rushing into this release… but most people are making the same mistakes.

Before you spend a dollar, here are three simple rules that could save you money—and make you a smarter collector long-term.

Timestamps:

i love adam gray @thereal27guy more than i love rudy golbert

A vintage sports magazine just sold for nearly $230,000, and it might signal a surprising shift in the collectibles world.

In this episode, we break down why this particular issue became so valuable—and whether graded magazines could become the next big trend for collectors.

If you collect sports cards, comics, or vintage memorabilia, this conversation might change how you look at your collection.

Timestamps
00:00 The $230K Michael Jordan magazine sale
00:40 Why this copy sold for so much
02:00 What grading really represents to collectors
05:30 Why most magazines are still cheap

just a lil chat about grading commons from the 90s

A buyer tried to negotiate a sports card using comps.

The dealer didn’t want to look at them.

In this video, I break down the interaction line by line — and explain what it teaches about sports card pricing, negotiation psychology, and how to prepare before walking into a card show! 

In this episode, we break down one of the wildest grading experiments in hobby history. The same 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card was submitted to major grading companies nine different times — and the results were all over the place.

From PSA 6 to BGS 9.5… to altered… to trimmed… what does this really say about grading consistency?

Is the hobby overvaluing the slab instead of the card?

We discuss what this experiment reveals about grading standards, transparency, AI grading, and why “cards over cases” might be the mindset...

Topps Hobby Rip Night isn’t just another event—it’s the smartest “give back” move Topps makes for collectors.
 Here’s why celebrating the hobby from the inside matters more than chasing new fans from the outside.

Timestamps
0:00 Topps Rip Night vs Fanatics Fest why it matters
1:18 Growing the hobby vs celebrating the hobby
5:03 The real Rip Night experience and why it feels different
7:20 The Tom Brady story and what happened in the crowd
15:10 Creators with athletes the perfect on ramp for new collectors
19:01 Giving kudos when companies actually do it right<...

What’s the most expensive lesson you’ve paid for in the hobby?
I once traded $1,000 in liquid autos for a sealed promo pack… and ignored every warning sign.

In this episode, we break down the real red flags collectors miss — from subtle pressure tactics to “vibes” that feel off to help you protect your collection without becoming paranoid.

Logan Paul just sold his PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator for $16.5 million — the most expensive Pokémon card ever sold. But this isn’t just a record-breaking flip. This is the full evolution of modern collectibles.

In this episode of SCAD, we break down the history of the Pikachu Illustrator, how Logan turned it into a cultural artifact, and what this sale means for the future of the hobby.

Panini lost the license… but does that kill the value?

In this episode, we break down the real debate collectors are facing:
 Does the league logo matter — or does great design win?

From Kabooms to Photoshop disasters to long-term value plays, here’s what could actually happen next.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Panini Loses the License
01:40 – What Licensed vs Unlicensed Actually Means
03:55 – Do Collectors Really Care?
06:16 – The Tyson Beck Example
09:53 – Proof Unlicensed Can Still Hold Value
11:37 – What Happens to Kabooms Long-Term

PSA bumped prices again—and the worst part isn’t just the extra dollars per card.
Here’s what changed, why it keeps happening, and how I’m adjusting my grading strategy.

Timestamps
0:00 PSA raises prices (again) + quick price breakdown
1:58 What the price hike really means per submission
2:34 Why PSA can keep doing this (and they will)
8:05 Anti-PSA vs pro-PSA: the real debate
23:18 My new grading rules: modern, rare, and PC cards

Buying big collections isn’t just about money — it’s about people, emotions, and trust.
 Here’s the exact mindset and process I use to price collections quickly without pressuring sellers.

Timestamps
0:56 Why big collection deals are emotional
2:16 The #1 rule: don’t meet when you’re rushed
4:41 Quantity doesn’t equal value (the story I tell sellers)
14:01 Value vs liquidity (and why “comps” can mislead)
15:11 My pricing formula: 90% for strong stuff, 50–60% for the rest

no timestamps cause i'm tired and wanna go to bed 😂

Buying cards through DMs can feel like a gamble. In this episode, Tyler breaks down where scams happen most and the simple habits that protect you across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Discord, and eBay.

He shares real stories of getting burned, the red flags he watches for now, and why paying a little extra can be the cheapest insurance in the hobby.

Timestamps
0:00 How people get ripped off in the hobby
1:04 The hobby runs on trust and what happens when it breaks
2:40 Discords: great when accountability is real
9:00 Facebook and Twitter deals...

Collecting shouldn’t feel stressful or exhausting.
If you want to enjoy the hobby long term, these three collecting lanes make all the difference.

In this episode, I break down how to collect what you love without chasing hype, overspending, or burning out — whether you’re brand new or deep into the hobby.

Timestamps

Shill bidding is way more common than people want to admit.
 In this episode, we break down what it is, why people do it, and how it quietly destroys trust (and comps) in the hobby.

Timestamps
0:00 What “shill bidding” really means (and why it’s tempting)
2:20 The easiest red flags on auction sites (and what they signal)
6:35 Why “defensive bidding” is still shill bidding
10:10 How shill bidding wrecks comps and pushes collectors out
13:55 The buyer rule that saves you from getting played

 viral card show trade sparked “rip off” accusations fast — but the full story might be way more complicated.
 Let’s break down what people think they saw vs what could actually be true when liquidity, buyers, and context matter.

Timestamps
0:00 The trade clip that keeps showing up
1:07 What was traded and why it looks wild
4:10 The comment section meltdown and body language assumptions
6:10 The follow up explanation and “dad made the deal” context
12:18 The rule for trading with kids and the trade back safety net
18:20 How to handle rude comments and protect yo...

Sports card grading sparks more arguments than almost anything in the hobby — and PSA sits right at the center of it.
 Is PSA elevating collecting… or quietly hurting it?

In this episode, we break down the real pros and cons of PSA grading, why collectors feel so strongly about it, and what grading actually does to card value, trust, and collecting culture.

Timestamps:
00:00 – PSA vs the hobby: what’s the real debate?
02:15 – Why grading exists and what it actually solves
05:00 – How PSA impacts card value and price gaps
07:00 – Authenticity, fakes, and why grading...

Game used memorabilia is quietly becoming one of the most underrated assets in sports collecting.
 In this episode, I break down my recent purchases and explain why I believe this market is just getting started.

Timestamps:
0:00 – Why I started buying game used items
1:05 – My first two game used jerseys
3:00 – Finding undervalued game worn shoes
6:10 – Certified vs signed only items
9:15 – Championship ceremony gear and why it matters
11:40 – Why game used will outperform signed items long term

Big changes may be coming to the hobby.
PSA’s parent company is rolling out updates that could reshape Beckett and SGC—and collectors should be paying attention.

From new labels to imaging to vault integration, here’s what’s confirmed, what’s rumored, and why it all matters.

Timestamps
00:00 Why these updates matter
01:08 Beckett getting imaging and new labels
02:11 Label design and why slabs matter
04:30 SGC expansion and turnaround times
05:32 Beckett and SGC cards going to the PSA Vault
07:01 Why cross-company set registries should exist

Fanatics isn’t just making cards anymore. Now they want to control the stories that make those cards matter.
Here’s what Fanatics Studios could do for the hobby… and what collectors should be cautious about.

Timestamps
0:00 Fanatics launches a studio why this is a big deal
1:16 Why storytelling changes perception The Last Dance effect
2:24 What Fanatics Studios is making and who they’re partnering with
6:06 From selling cards to controlling the narrative
10:38 What it means for collectors growth moments and cultural relevance
13:16 The risks manufactured hype and who gets left out...

the 4 tiers of sports card comps

Where are collectors actually buying sports cards right now? In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope, I break down real December sales data showing over $381 million spent online, with eBay dominating nearly 80% of the market. We talk buyer trust, human behavior, scams, the adoption curve, and why Fanatics Collect could slowly gain ground over the next decade.

If you collect cards, sell cards, or are just getting into the hobby, this episode explains why the market looks the way it does and where it’s heading next.

Timestamps:

Dr. Tyler Tarver breaks the hobby into three collector archetypes (no judgment, just labels), explains what each group contributes to the ecosystem, and argues the hobby is more of a spectrum than a war. Plus, a quick Chicken Nugget Nation giveaway at the end.

Timestamps (based on transcript timing):

In this episode, Tyler interviews Mike Gioseffi from Sports Cards Nonsense about his biggest hobby whiff (selling Ohtani too early), then Tyler shares his own all-time mistake: pricing a 1997 Skybox Z-Force Super Rave like a normal card and watching it walk away for $5, later comping around $1,000 to $1,500.

Timestamps (approx.)