Sports cards just had their BIGGEST month ever — $421M in sales! Tyler Tarver breaks down why August was such a record-setting month, from Kevin O’Leary’s $13M Kobe/Jordan grail to Caitlin Clark’s cultural impact. We’ll talk investors, the National, NFL kickoff, WNBA cards, and how community energy is reshaping the hobby.

⏱️ Timestamps

• 0:00 – $421M in one month!
• 1:17 – Why August sales exploded
• 3:56 – Investors, The National & NFL kickoff
• 6:32 – Sports cards as mini stock portfolios
• 7:08 – Caitlin Clark & WNBA cards go mainstream
• 9:53 – The “Matrix effect” on women’s sports
• 13:28 – Card creators & live streams fueling growth
• 17:53 – Communities forming around breaks & streams
• 19:56 – Top 5 takeaways from August’s record month
• 29:10 – Why mid-tier cards matter most
• 30:19 – Wrapping up + hobby outlook

Today on Sports Cards Are Dope, Tyler breaks down why he spent $1,800 on a Giannis Antetokounmpo auto jersey card from Tyson Beck. Was it a smart investment, a collector’s dream, or just plain crazy? Tyler shares his 5 big reasons — from the art to the long-term value — plus answers live audience questions.

⏱️ Timestamps

• 0:00 – Why I spent $1,800 on a Giannis card
• 4:14 – 5 reasons behind the purchase
• 8:02 – Collecting the NBA Top 75 autos
• 11:03 – Game-used vs. “player-worn”
• 15:21 – Long-term investment potential
• 19:42 – Licensed through the athlete vs. league
• 26:35 – Mailbag: Jordan Poole, grading, profitability
• 34:40 – Balancing passion, collecting, and life

What up, chicken nuggets. We debate NFL rookies and backup QB lottery tickets, why hype moves prices faster than performance, and exactly when to sell after a playoff pop. Names on the table: Jayden Daniels, Cam Ward, Malik Nabers, Jalen Milroe, Stetson Bennett, Joe Flacco, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen. Not financial advice—just cardboard calculus.

Timestamps:
00:00 Cold open + Homestar energy
01:41 Why rookie QBs move the market (Cam Ward talk)
03:02 Second‑year leap candidates (Jayden Daniels)
03:29 Malik Nabers heat check
04:14 Veteran attention & the Flacco factor
06:06 Stetson Bennett flip story ($150 → ~$260)
09:12 Playoff spikes: when to sell after a Wild Card win
10:01 Hype vs. reality (Dogecoin analogy)
12:06 Spotting the next pop: rookies & backups
12:40 Under‑the‑radar QB: Jalen Milroe
16:02 MVP chatter: Burrow vs. Allen
18:06 Flacco team confusion resolved
19:26 “Potties” award bit + wrap

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