What if the biggest “rookie cards” in collecting aren’t athletes at all? In this episode of SportsCards & A Cup of Joe, Joe Davis takes listeners into a world most collectors never realize exists- vintage non-sports cards featuring legendary cartoon and entertainment characters. Inspired by a record-setting sale of a rare Luke Skywalker card, Joe explores the hidden market behind early appearances of icons like Fred Flintstone, Scooby-Doo, and Bugs Bunny.

From obscure international releases and ultra-low population reports to the thrill of uncovering forgotten cardboard treasures decades later, this episode blends nostalgia, collecting strategy, and a fresh way to think about long-term demand. Whether you collect sports, vintage, or simply grew up with Saturday morning cartoons, you may never look at “rookie cards” the same way again. And this is only Part 1.

This episode peels back the curtain on one of the hobby’s most talked-about new ideas. Joe Davis and Taylor Pruitt return to answer the flood of collector questions surrounding Got Pregrade - what it is, who it’s for, and why now may be the perfect time for a service like this. From turnaround times and condition transparency to vintage cards, modern pulls, show prep, and the future of buying and selling raw cards, this conversation tackles the questions collectors are already asking. Plus, Joe shares where this fits alongside traditional grading and why this isn’t about replacing the hobby… it’s about helping collectors make smarter decisions. And don’t miss the teaser at the end for an upcoming episode collectors have been requesting for over a year.

Big news is shaking up the grading world and this episode of Sports Cards & A Cup of Joe has a new alternative. Joe Davis shares the personal story that sparked decades of passion for authentication and collector protection, reveals the challenges facing the grading industry today, and announces a brand-new service designed to help collectors move faster, make smarter decisions, and know exactly what they’ve got before sending cards off.

From a memorable vintage Hank Aaron lesson to behind-the-scenes insight on how thousands of cards are evaluated, this episode dives into affordability, transparency, and turnaround times in a way collectors won’t want to miss. If you grade, buy, sell, or simply love cards, this conversation could change how you approach your collection.

Know what you’ve got. Hear why now is the time.

PSA just hit pause… now what? In this episode of Sports Cards & A Cup of Joe, Joe takes you inside one of the wildest weeks the hobby has seen- massive submission volume, industry-wide ripple effects, and the scramble to adapt after PSA’s lower-tier shutdown.

From behind-the-scenes stories of getting submissions in under the wire to practical grading strategies for the months ahead, Joe breaks down what collectors, investors, and submitters should actually do next. Should you wait? Pivot to BGS, CGC, or SGC? Start stockpiling inventory? There may be more opportunity in this moment than most people realize.

Plus: a teaser for a major announcement coming next episode that could change how collectors navigate grading moving forward.

If you collect, grade, flip, or simply want to stay ahead of where the hobby is heading—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

PSA just dropped a bombshell on the hobby...and the entire sports card industry may feel the impact for months to come.

In this episode of Sports Cards & A Cup of Joe, Joe Davis breaks down PSA’s shocking decision to suspend all lower-level grading services as their backlog approaches a staggering 10 million cards. What does this mean for collectors, investors, flippers, and the future of grading?

Joe dives into the ripple effects across the hobby, from rising demand for existing slabs to the potential impact on wax ripping, Pokémon and TCG submissions, and competing grading companies like SGC, BGS, and CGC. Plus, hear insider perspective from the front lines as submission teams scramble to beat the cutoff deadline.

Is this a disaster for collectors… or a hidden opportunity?

Whether you’re sitting on a stack of raw cards, waiting on PSA orders, or wondering what happens next for the hobby, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Step into the future of the hobby in this thought-provoking 35th anniversary episode of Sports Cards & A Cup of Joe. Host Joe Davis flips the script as co-host Taylor Pruitt puts him in the hot seat for a candid conversation about where sports cards,  and collecting itself, are headed next. From the rise of live selling and entertainment cards to the future of card shops, grading, technology, and the changing mindset of collectors, Joe shares bold predictions, personal dreams, and hard-earned wisdom from more than three decades in the hobby.

Along the way, you’ll hear rapid-fire takes on underrated players, future trends, hobby concerns, and the one thing Joe hopes never changes about collecting. Whether you’re a longtime collector, a modern breaker, or just love the culture surrounding sports cards, this episode is packed with insight, nostalgia, humor, and passion for the hobby’s future.

Will card shops still exist in 2061? What collectibles are flying under the radar today? And what hobby trends could collectors regret chasing years from now? Tune in to find out.

PSA just dropped a bombshell on the hobby world and the ripple effects could change card grading forever. In this episode of Sports Cards & A Cup of Joe, Joe Davis breaks down the massive $200 million investment PSA is making into its future, what it means for collectors, dealers, and submitters, and why hobby insiders are paying very close attention.

From skyrocketing demand and longer turnaround times to major changes affecting bulk submissions, Joe unpacks the headlines, the frustrations, and the hidden opportunities behind one of the biggest grading announcements in years. Plus, he shares real-world insight from decades in the hobby, stories from the show floor, and his honest take on where the industry is headed next.

If you grade cards, collect cards, flip cards, or simply care about the future of the hobby - this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

35 years in the hobby. Countless stories. A lifetime of lessons.

In this special episode of Sports Cards And A Cup of Joe, Joe Davis sits down with co-host Taylor Pruitt for an honest, unscripted conversation celebrating 35 years in the sports card industry. From opening a tiny 500-square-foot shop with no guarantee, to navigating industry booms, crushing setbacks, once-in-a-lifetime deals, and the cards that still haunt him today. 

You’ll hear untold stories, hard-earned business wisdom, rapid-fire hobby opinions, and a few moments that might completely change how you see the world of collecting. Whether you’re a lifelong collector, an entrepreneur, or just love hearing the stories behind the grind, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Some cards change hands. Some moments change everything.

In this episode of Sports Cards & A Cup of Joe, Joe gets more personal than ever, revealing exactly where he’s putting his own money in today’s hobby. From legendary names like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Ken Griffey Jr., and Shohei Ohtani to unexpected plays in pop culture collectibles, Joe shares the mindset behind the cards he believes in long term, and the hype he refuses to chase.

This isn’t a “buy this, sell that” episode. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at how decades in the hobby have shaped Joe’s strategy, what he’s grading, what he’s passing on, and where he sees opportunity others might be missing.

If you collect, grade, invest or simply love the stories behind the hobby this is one episode you’ll want to hear all the way through.

Episode 100: Inside the Booming World of Sports Cards

Fresh off one of the biggest industry gatherings of the year, Joe Davis returns with a milestone episode packed with insight, energy, and behind-the-scenes perspective. From reconnecting with hobby veterans to uncovering the pulse of today’s fast-moving card market, this episode offers a rare look at what’s really driving the industry forward.

With demand surging, opportunities everywhere, and major product announcements on the horizon, something big is happening, and those closest to it can feel the shift. But it’s not just about the headlines. It’s about the people, the passion, and the shared experiences that continue to shape the hobby after decades of change.

Whether you’re a seasoned collector, a dealer, or just getting started, this episode captures a moment of momentum you won’t want to miss.