🎙 Fanatics Fest 2025 is coming—Game Changer or Just Another Card Show?

Fanatics is making major moves in the hobby, but is Fanatics Fest the next Comic-Con for Sports Cards or just another trade show? In this episode, I break down:

⏱ Timestamps:

• 0:00 – Intro: What is Fanatics Fest?
• 2:30 – Celebs & Athletes Attending (Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, more!)
• 6:00 – How Fanatics Fest Compares to The National
• 10:30 – Will Fanatics Take Over the Hobby?
• 15:00 – Does This Event Actually Help Collectors?
• 18:00 – Final Take: Should You Go?

👉 Will you be attending Fanatics Fest 2025? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

🔗 Subscribe & Listen: Sports Cards Are Dope

Did Fanatics fake the Paul Skenes 1/1 MLB Debut Patch pull from an 11-year-old? The internet loves a conspiracy, and this one has gained major traction. Dr. Tyler Tarver breaks down the controversy, explains why Fanatics wouldn't risk their entire brand for a single card, and discusses why people love to doubt big pulls. Plus, a deep dive into sports card conspiracies and what this means for collectors.

⏱️ Episode Breakdown:

0:00 - Intro & Topic Overview

• Did Fanatics fake the Paul Skenes 1/1 Debut Patch pull?
• Why do collectors think it's a hoax?

2:30 - The Conspiracy Theory Explained 🕵️‍♂️

• Why some people believe Fanatics made up the kid who pulled the card
• Lack of video proof fuels speculation
• Paul Skenes’ interview on Seth Meyers—more marketing or more evidence?

6:00 - Why Would Fanatics Risk It? 🤯

• Would Fanatics commit fraud over one card?
• Why this theory doesn’t make sense for a billion-dollar company
• What would happen if they did get caught?

10:00 - The Internet Loves Conspiracies 🌎

• Why people want to believe wild theories
• The echo chamber effect: find proof of anything you want online
• Past hobby scandals that make people skeptical

15:00 - Classic Sports Conspiracies 🏆

• Michael Jordan’s secret NBA suspension
• The MLB "Juiced Baseball" theory
• The rigged 1985 NBA Draft

19:00 - Final Take: Enjoy the Hobby & Don’t Overthink It 🎉

• What really matters for collectors?
• Why conspiracies shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the game
• Predictions for the final sale price of the Skenes card

💬 Join the Discussion!
Do you think Fanatics faked this pull? What’s your favorite sports conspiracy theory? Drop your thoughts in the comments on YouTube or SportsCardsAreDope.com.

📢 Support the Podcast:

• 👍 Like & Subscribe on YouTube
• ⭐ Rate & Review on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
• 🔗 Share this episode with fellow collectors

🎤 Sports Cards Are Dope. So are you. Never stop collecting. 🚀

 The biggest trade in NBA history just went down—Luka Dončić is now a Laker! Did the Mavericks make a massive mistake, or is there some hidden genius behind the move? Dr. Tyler Tarver breaks down the trade from every angle, including what it means for Luka’s sports card market and the future of the NBA.

⏱️ Time Stamps & Key Topics:

0:00 - Welcome, Chicken Nuggets! 🍗

• Intro to the episode
• Why this trade might be the biggest in NBA history

1:00 - The Luka Dončić Trade Breakdown 🔥

• Who got traded? Luka Dončić → Lakers, Anthony Davis + assets → Mavericks
• Why this is a historic mid-season trade
• Comparing this trade to past NBA blockbusters

4:00 - Why Did the Mavericks Do This? 🤔

• GM Nico Harrison’s mindset
• The three key reasons Dallas made this move

5:30 - Luka’s Fitness Concerns 🏋️‍♂️

• Did Luka’s weight and conditioning play a role in the trade?
• Why not being in shape hasn’t stopped him from dominating
• Will playing alongside LeBron James change Luka’s work ethic?

10:00 - Defensive Issues & Complaining to Refs 🚨

• Luka’s defense—or lack thereof—frustrating the Mavs
• Every great player (including LeBron & Jordan) complains to the refs
• Why Dallas may have overreacted

14:30 - Did Dallas Undervalue Luka? 😬

• Trading a generational talent for short-term success
• The risk of trading for Anthony Davis, given his injury history
• What happens if this trade backfires for Dallas?

19:00 - How the Trade Affects Luka’s Sports Card Market 📈

• Immediate spikes in Luka’s card prices post-trade
• Luka’s Prism PSA 10 Silver jumped from $1,000 to $1,900 overnight
• What Luka cards should collectors buy right now?
• Should you sell Luka cards or hold for long-term gains?

23:00 - What This Trade Means for the NBA 🏆

• Will Luka extend LeBron’s career?
• Are the Lakers now championship favorites?
• The future of Anthony Davis & Kyrie in Dallas

26:00 - Personal Card Trade Regrets 😭

• A bad Brady trade at the Dallas Card Show
• Why you should trust long-term value over temporary market dips
• The Mavericks may have made the same mistake…

29:00 - Final Thoughts: Who Really Wins This Trade? 🏆

• The winner will be determined by championships
• If Luka wins multiple rings in LA, this will haunt the Mavericks forever
• Does Dallas regret this move already?

Here's a set of show notes with timestamps for your podcast episode:

Sports Cards Are Dope - Episode: "Setting the Standard in the Hobby"

🎙️ Hosted by Tyler Tarver

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Tyler dives into a major controversy in the sports card hobby involving Grant from Backyard Breaks. He breaks down the impact of toxic culture in companies, how organizations set the tone by what they allow, and what collectors can do in response. Tyler also shares his personal philosophy on protecting his own community and where he stands on this issue.

Timestamps & Topics:

🟢 [00:00] - Intro & Podcast Name Confusion

• Tyler kicks off the episode with his signature humor and a quick stumble on the podcast name.

🟢 [00:16] - The Backyard Breaks Controversy

• Overview of the situation involving Grant from Backyard Breaks and his inappropriate comments.
• The response from the sports card community.

🟢 [02:06] - Setting the Standard: Lessons from School Administration

• Tyler shares a personal story from his time as a school principal.
• How different schools handle discipline and what that says about their culture.

🟢 [05:19] - What You Allow Becomes Your Culture

• Comparing how companies, schools, and organizations set the tone by what they allow.
• How businesses like Whatnot, PSA, and Fanatics should respond.

🟢 [07:01] - The Power of the Card Community Response

• How collectors and hobbyists are setting the standard for acceptable behavior.
• The importance of using influence and social platforms to push back.

🟢 [10:47] - Companies’ Responsibilities & Who They Promote

• What companies communicate by choosing who to work with.
• Examples of partnerships Tyler has had and the ethics behind selecting collaborators.

🟢 [15:01] - Content Creators & Protecting Your Own Community

• Tyler’s personal approach to moderating comments and keeping his content family-friendly.
• Why it’s essential to cultivate a positive space for collectors of all ages.

🟢 [19:08] - How to Respond as an Individual

1. Don’t support people whose voice doesn’t align with your values.
2. Recognize that cancel culture doesn’t exist like it used to—platforms now allow voices to shift and thrive elsewhere.

🟢 [23:47] - The Bigger Picture: Culture & Accountability

• Tyler reflects on how Logan Paul’s controversy reshaped his career.
• Why accountability in the digital age isn’t about cancellation—it’s about choice.

🟢 [26:21] - Final Thoughts & Call to Action

• Tyler shares his personal stance and invites listeners to think about where they draw the line.
• Encourages listeners to check out Kayla Collects (@kayla.collects) and Candice Martino (@candacemartinoTV) for their takes on the controversy.
• “Be kind, be good, and never stop collecting.”

Podcast Show Notes with Timestamps

• 0:00 – “What’s up, chicken nuggets?”: Intro and why eBay needs fixing.
• 1:00 – “eBay: The MJ and the Thanos of sports cards.”: An honest take on eBay’s pros and cons.
• 1:50 – Fix #1: Auto-payment: Why ghost buyers are ruining the hobby.
• 4:30 – Fix #2: Better search filters: From TikTok’s algorithm to swipe-able commons.
• 7:00 – Fix #3: Customer service overhaul: Missing cards and a plea for a collectibles app.
• 10:50 – “What’s your alternative?”: Encouraging listeners to share their go-to platforms.

Welcome back to the dopest sports card podcast around! In this episode, Tyler dives into the impact of celebrities entering the sports card market. From Logan Paul’s flashy Charizard necklace to Drake chasing rare pulls, we discuss how influencers affect the hobby, its community, and your wallet. Are these celebrity endorsements good for the market, or are they driving up prices unfairly? Let’s explore the pros and cons.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Intro
1:00 – The polarizing impact of celebrities in sports cards
2:45 – Logan Paul and his Charizard necklace: A marketing stunt?
4:15 – Drake’s chase for the LeBron logo man card: Hype or help?
6:00 – The nostalgia of collecting cards in the ’90s
8:00 – Celebrity promotions: Raising awareness or just prices?
10:15 – The good, the bad, and the pump: Gary Vee and the influencer effect
12:30 – Building bridges for new collectors: Inclusivity in the hobby
14:00 – The future of celebrity involvement in sports cards
16:30 – Final thoughts: Positivity and community growth

Welcome to the Sports Cards Are Dope podcast with Dr. Tyler Tarver! Today, we explore why fewer people are sitting down to watch full NBA games and why basketball is more popular than ever. Dive into the rise of shadow viewership, the generational shift in how we consume content, and how this affects the sports card market. Are highlights the new frontier for fandom and card collecting? Let’s discuss!

Timestamps & Topics:

• 0:00 – Intro: Why full NBA game ratings are dropping and what that means for fans
• 1:12 – Shadow Viewership Explained: The rise of highlight consumption through TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube
• 3:50 – Generational Shift: How younger audiences consume basketball differently
• 7:00 – Instant Gratification: Skip intro buttons, fast passes, and social media’s impact on attention spans
• 9:54 – The Impact on Sports Cards: Why moments matter more than stats for collectors
• 12:45 – Iconic Moments in Cards: From Steph Curry’s "Night Night" to LeBron’s record-breaking dunk
• 15:12 – Future Trends: How collectors and fans are reshaping the sports card market
• 18:00 – Closing Thoughts: The power of positivity and embracing change in the hobby

Imagine being 11 years old and pulling a card worth half a million dollars. In this episode of the Sports Cards Are Dope Podcast, we dive into the story of the Paul Skenes MLB debut patch card—why it’s so significant, the jaw-dropping bounties being offered, and what this card says about the future of collecting. We also break down five hypothetical trades for this masterpiece. Don’t miss our hot takes, wild analogies, and a hefty dose of hobby drama.

Links and Shoutouts:

• Follow us for more card hobby insights.
• Have a pull that’s got a story? Hit us up in the comments or on social media.

Welcome to Sports Cards Are Dope with Dr. Tyler Tarver! This week, we dive into the controversy surrounding Victor Wembanyama’s viral jersey swap and break down the four tiers of collectibles. Should memorabilia be kept for the story, or is flipping it fair game? We’ll explore the ethics, value, and personal connection behind sports memorabilia.

Timestamps & Topics:

• 0:00 – Intro: Victor Wembanyama’s jersey swap and what this episode is about
• 1:30 – The Wembanyama Controversy: How a jersey swap went viral and ended up at auction
• 3:00 – Tier 1: Untouchables – Personal, irreplaceable items with deep emotional value
• 7:30 – Tier 2: Personal Signatures – When players take time to sign items outside paid events
• 10:15 – Tier 3: Paid Events (Mercenaries) – Collectibles obtained in structured, paid environments
• 13:30 – Tier 4: Click and Buy – Store-bought memorabilia and online purchases
• 18:00 – Ethics of Selling Memorabilia: Should kids make the decision, or should items be preserved?
• 20:30 – Listener Question: What’s the highest-tier collectible you own?

Welcome to the Sports Cards Are Dope Podcast! Dr. Tyler Tarver takes you on a wild ride through predictions for the sports card and collectibles world in 2025. From NFT comebacks to augmented reality cards, this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and hot takes curated from mantle.com and beyond. Whether you’re here for the cardboard nostalgia, cutting-edge trends, or just to hear Tyler talk about his Jordan Poole obsession, you’ll leave moderately okay with your experience. 

Topics & Timestamps

0:00 – Introduction: Why a doctorate and chicken nuggets are essential to podcasting.
2:00 – 2025 Predictions Begin: Licensed sports NFTs making a comeback—opportunity or another bust?
5:00 – Fanatics’ Future Moves: Price hikes, non-sports cards, and the looming 10x goal.
10:00 – Augmented Reality Cards: Bringing cardboard to life with 3D holograms and highlights.
15:30 – Pokemon’s Takeover: How Pokemon is quietly dominating card shows.
20:00 – Innovative Card Shows: Could culture-infused events redefine the traditional National?
25:00 – Personal Stories & Collecting Tips: Why Tyler’s obsessed with Jordan Poole and the lessons behind bad investments.
28:00 – Listener Submissions: Hot takes, predictions, and ideas from the audience.