Our longest podcast yet — and for good reason. I sat down with Sean, the 19-year-old behind OnCard Autographs, who has turned autograph consignments into a legit business. We talk about his start, how he organizes signings with legends like Barry Sanders and Jerry Rice, which athletes are the nicest, and the future of autographs in the age of Fanatics and exclusivity.

Timestamps:

• 0:00 – Intro & Sean’s background
• 2:00 – Starting out writing letters as a kid
• 5:00 – First shows, consignments, and snowballing growth
• 10:00 – The process of organizing signings (prep, pens, logistics)
• 13:00 – Barry Sanders stories & why he’s the GOAT off the field too
• 17:00 – Jerry Rice surprises & athlete interactions
• 20:00 – Future of autograph collecting (rookie cards, exclusives, Fanatics)
• 27:00 – Coolest inscriptions & nicknames
• 33:00 – Sean’s white whale: Ronaldo auto
• 40:00 – Storytelling and the value of the signature
• 47:00 – Advice for collectors entering the autograph side of the hobby
• 52:00 – Arkansas card shops I love visiting

Kevin O’Leary, aka Mr. Wonderful from Shark Tank, joined forces with investors to buy the Kobe Bryant & Michael Jordan Dual Logoman Auto for a staggering $12.93 million.
In this episode, I break down why this sale matters, what it means for collectors vs. investors, and how it could shift the future of the hobby.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Weird intro & authenticity in content

0:33 – The $12.93M Kobe/MJ Logoman sale

1:00 – Kevin O’Leary and the buyer group revealed

2:45 – Why auctions prove real demand

4:50 – Sports cards as part of investment portfolios

7:30 – Collector vs. flipper vs. investor mindset

10:00 – Real estate, 1031 talk, and how money moves into cards

15:00 – Building IP in the hobby (media, brands, creators)

In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope, Tyler breaks down the record-breaking sale of the 2007-08 Upper Deck Exquisite Dual Logoman Autograph featuring Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant — the most expensive sports card ever sold at $12.932 million.

We cover why it went so high, what makes it unique, and what it means for the future of the hobby.

Timestamps:

• 0:01 – Welcome + quick recap of the $13M sale
• 2:30 – Why this Jordan-Kobe card is different
• 5:20 – The power of combining two player bases
• 7:40 – The uniqueness of MJ’s 50th Anniversary gold patch
• 10:25 – Autograph scarcity: Kobe gone, MJ rare
• 14:00 – Real scarcity vs manufactured scarcity
• 17:00 – How this sale shapes the hobby
• 20:00 – Top 5 most expensive cards ever sold

Learn how the power of silence can change your negotiations at card shows, shops, or even buying a car. Inspired by Chris Voss’ Never Split the Difference, we explore why silence is uncomfortable, how to use it strategically, and real-world examples of it working in the hobby.

Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro & Chris Voss inspiration
0:42 – Why humans hate silence
2:30 – Strategic silence in card deals
4:45 – The text message “read but not replied” analogy
6:15 – Counting to seven in your head
7:40 – Using silence after counteroffers
9:10 – Real-life example at The National
11:30 – Silence as your best negotiation weapon

In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope, Tyler dives into the psychology of negotiations at card shows. Inspired by Chris Voss’ Never Split the Difference, he shares practical tactics like mirroring, labeling, and tactical empathy that help you build better relationships with dealers and get the cards you want—without burning bridges.

Timestamps:

• 0:00 – Intro: Deals Start with Conversations
• 1:30 – Why Reading the Room Matters
• 5:00 – Mirroring Technique (Chris Voss Method)
• 8:00 – Labeling Emotions in Negotiations
• 12:00 – Tactical Empathy with Dealers
• 16:00 – How to Position Yourself “With” the Seller
• 19:00 – Recap & Closing Thoughts

A collector scored autographs from Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, Babe Ruth, Lionel Messi, and Wayne Gretzky—on one item. But are those really the greatest of all time, or just his GOATs? Tyler breaks down the story, debates the GOATs across every sport, and shares his own personal dream collectible.

Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro: The 5-GOAT Autograph Story
1:15 – The Babe Ruth Starting Point
2:40 – How Brady, Gretzky, Messi, and MJ Signed On
4:55 – What’s Your GOAT List?
7:20 – My Picks Across Sports
12:15 – GOATs Outside the Big Leagues
15:05 – Final Takeaways & Community Shoutout

In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope, I share 5 game-changing tips I learned from completing the legendary 1996 EX Credentials basketball set—the first-ever numbered basketball card set in history. Whether you’re chasing a vintage set or the latest parallel rainbow, these strategies will save you money, speed up your hunt, and keep your collecting fun.

Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro & backstory on the set
1:12 – Tip 1: The Buy-It-Now Blitz
3:25 – Tip 2: Big Seller Bulk Deal
5:26 – Tip 3: Tracking Your Progress
7:58 – Tip 4: Hit the Bigger Shows
10:15 – Tip 5: Milestone Motivation
13:40 – Recap of all 5 tips

Ever hit a wall at a card show negotiation? Tyler shares his go-to hack for bridging the final gap in deals—and how it scored him a Steph Curry rookie card (basically for free). This is one of those simple negotiation moves that can turn a "maybe" into a "done deal." Tune in, learn the method, and start winning more tableside talks!

Timestamps:

• 0:17 — Setting the scene: The National card show
• 0:56 — The offer gap: $1,100 vs $900
• 1:42 — Spotting the Curry rookie
• 2:25 — The “Throw-In” technique explained
• 3:40 — How to scout tables smartly
• 5:00 — The Caitlin Clark example
• 6:38 — Why this trick works psychologically
• 7:30 — Why both sides win
• 8:30 — The used car analogy meets cardboard
• 9:12 — Negotiation stories from the community

Description:
In this episode, Tyler spills the tea on a wild experiment: buying up nearly 40 Jared McCain Silver Prizm rookies—and watching the market follow his lead. If you’ve ever asked, “Can one collector really move prices?”... this is the playbook.

Timestamps:
0:00 - Welcome Chicken Nuggets 🐔
0:30 - Why McCain caught my eye
1:45 - Card strategy: buying low & holding
3:00 - Flipping comps on eBay
6:45 - Setting the tone with Ron Gant nostalgia
9:15 - Niche collectors, niche power
11:50 - Controlling your own market (96 Credentials set)
14:30 - The line between smart buying and fake hype
15:45 - Can YOU do this too?

Tyler Tarver here — and just because I can’t attend The National this year (RIP, my early access ticket), doesn’t mean I’m not going to equip YOU with the best tips in the game. Whether it’s your first time or your fifth, these 15 card show tips — from packing a “grind kit” to trade night tactics — could be the difference between a legendary haul and hobby regret.

👟 Bonus: I even include weird tricks like how a Jordan Poole jersey got me more deals.

Timestamps:
0:00 – What’s Up Chicken Nuggets?
1:03 – Tip #1: Set a Clear Budget
2:34 – Tip #2: Bring Cash & Prep Your Apps
3:36 – Tip #3: Build a Focused Want List
4:38 – Tip #4: Don’t Waste Day 1
5:40 – Tip #5: Pack Snacks, Not Excuses
6:12 – Tip #6: Wear Comfortable Shoes & Deodorant
7:09 – Tip #7: Bring the Right Backpack or Case
8:04 – Tip #8: Scout Instagram at Night
9:24 – Tip #9: Ask Dealers for Hidden Cards
10:50 – Tip #10: Strap Your Case to You
12:26 – Tip #11: Daily Buying Themes
13:53 – Tip #12: Make a “Grind Kit”
14:48 – Tip #13: Crush It at Trade Nights
16:31 – Tip #14: Wear Player Jerseys to Get Offers
18:31 – Tip #15: Visualize the Deal Before You Commit

📩 Drop your National pickups in the comments — I want to see what y’all score!