The Talking Shop Podcast

Week 1 of the NFL season has collectors making big calls on Caleb Williams, Jaxson Dart, Christian Watson, Ashton Jeanty and Josh Allen. Michael and Josh decide which performances might last and which card markets are running ahead of the players.

Then they dig into Bowman Red Rookie cards featuring players who cannot qualify for the redemption program, PSA’s new $59.99 Standard grading tier and its massive backlog, and the first Tom Brady card in the NFL Living Set.

Josh also shares what happened when Pokémon’s 30th-anniversary product arrived at Grand Slam Cards: the shop’s longest opening line, a one-per-item limit and a same-day sellout. Plus, the guys track the Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper and Kon Knueppel NBA debut patch auctions and debate whether Flagg can clear $5 million.

In this episode:

• Week 1 NFL overreactions and their effect on card prices
• Bowman Red Rookie cards for players ineligible for Rookie of the Year
• Grand Slam’s Pokémon 30th-anniversary release day
• The Cooper Flagg debut patch auction
• PSA’s $59.99 Standard tier and 9.9 million-item backlog
• Tom Brady as card No. 1 in the NFL Living Set

Links discussed:

• Topps’ Red Rookie program and eligibility checklist
• PSA’s Standard service announcement
• PSA’s backlog tracker
• Tom Brady NFL Living Set card No. 1
• Meet NFL Living Set artist Josh Trout

Question for collectors: Would you grade a $150 raw card for $59.99, or leave it raw?

Because every card has a story.

Football is back, fantasy drafts are underway, and apparently raccoons have rookie cards worth more than most professional athletes.

Michael and Josh kick things off talking fantasy football, including how AI helped Michael win his league last season, before getting into one of the strangest card sales we've seen all year: the Jimothy Gold 1/1 rookie card sold for $21,100 after starting at just 99 cents.

Then things somehow get even stranger.

Vault X has created numbered chase versions of its binders. Panini is putting autographs and 1/1s into Score-A-Treat packs you're supposed to hand out on Halloween. Karl-Anthony Towns revealed that he spent $900,000 on an Aaron Judge redemption that hasn't even been produced yet. Mike Tyson, Dennis Rodman and Jeff Goldblum are fighting Martians in a Christmas card set. And Topps Vault Marvel is putting pieces of production-used Marvel props, including Captain America's shield, into cards.

Plus, Josh breaks down what's new at Grand Slam Cards, what's coming next week, and closes the show with a wild Pete Crow-Armstrong stat.

In this episode:

• Fantasy football, AI drafts and the connection between fantasy performance and card values
• Jimothy's $21,100 Gold 1/1 rookie card
• What's new at Grand Slam Cards
• Vault X numbered Chase Edition binders
• Panini Score-A-Treat adding autos and 1/1s
• Karl-Anthony Towns' $900,000 Aaron Judge purchase
• Aaron Judge vs. Shohei Ohtani hobby value
• Topps Mars Attacks Christmas
• Topps Vault Marvel and production-used Marvel relics
• Pete Crow-Armstrong's crazy stat of the week

Because every card has a story.

#TalkingShopPodcast #SportsCards #CardCollecting

Note: Final timestamps should be nudged against the finished video export before publishing.

00:00 Fantasy Football Is Back
11:04 Welcome to Talking Shop
12:35 The $21,100 Jimothy Rookie Card
17:46 What's New at Grand Slam Cards
23:32 Your Binder Has a Chase Parallel
27:30 Would You Give Away a Halloween 1/1?
31:31 Karl-Anthony Towns Spends $900K on Aaron Judge
39:11 Mike Tyson vs. Martians at Christmas
42:36 Topps Is Cutting Up Captain America's Shield
46:48 Pete Crow-Armstrong's Crazy Stat

Jimothy Rookie Card
https://www.mlb.com/mariners/video/mariners-booth-unveils-jimothy-baseball-card
https://mynorthwest.com/local/jimothy-rookie-card-auction/4271045

Vault X 30th Anniversary Chase Binder
https://blog.vaultx.com/2026/09/01/celebrating-30-years-the-anniversary-edition-collection/

Panini Score-A-Treat
https://www.paniniamerica.net/2026-panini-score-a-treat-bundle

Karl-Anthony Towns / Aaron Judge
https://www.fanaticscollect.com/premier/2233bea4-9677-11f1-b56d-0a58a9feac02

Mars Attacks Christmas
https://www.topps.com/pages/topps-mars-attacks-christmas

Topps Vault Marvel
https://www.topps.com/pages/topps-vault-marvel

CHAPTERSSTORY LINKS

The Cooper Flagg 1/1 Rookie Debut Patch Autograph has finally been pulled — and somehow finding the card may only be the beginning of the story.

Alt has already opened a public bounty auction for a card it doesn't even have yet, allowing verified buyers to establish what they're willing to pay if the owner eventually consigns it. Michael and Josh break down whether that's brilliant price discovery or walking dangerously close to the line, how long the owner should hold, and why Josh thinks this card could ultimately command $5–6 million or more.

Then we get into the rest of a very weird week in collecting:

Pokémon is using facial recognition in Japan to enforce purchase limits — and Josh explains why, from a card-shop owner's perspective, limits matter more than collectors may realize.

Disney turned a Mickey Mouse stadium giveaway into a real-life pack rip by randomly making 1 out of every 10 bobbleheads a gold chase variant.

Topps is putting actual 24-karat gold into its Premier League chase cards.

And Magic: The Gathering | The Hobbit gives us an excuse to talk Middle-earth, release-day demand, Collector Boosters and what actually makes Magic cards valuable.

Plus: what's new at Grand Slam, the return of licensed Topps Flagship Football, and Josh tries to stump Michael with this week's Crazy Stat.

Because every card has a story.

#CooperFlagg #SportsCards #TalkingShop

Josh is back from the 2026 National Sports Collectors Convention, and his experience inside the building looked a little different from the version of The National that took over social media.Was this really an unprecedented, overcrowded National? Were the lines as bad as they looked online? What were collectors actually buying? And is paying extra for early entry the single best National hack?Josh breaks down five days at the show, his 2008 Upper Deck Tom Brady autograph pickup, meeting AEW’s Kyle Fletcher in the wild, the Panini VIP experience, National-exclusive packs and what the hobby’s biggest card show actually felt like from the floor.Then we get into a few massive hobby conversations:• Shohei Ohtani’s one-of-one Back-to-Back Gold Logoman reportedly selling for $11 million• Whether an $11 million modern card can really establish a market• Why Pokémon, Lorcana, One Piece, Magic and other TCGs continue to explode• Whether Pokémon needs separate products for players and high-end collectors• PSA’s staggering 12.4 million-item backlog• Why another grading company may have an opportunity while PSA remains overwhelmedPlus Josh runs through what’s new at Grand Slam Cards, including Topps Chrome Update Basketball, the Cooper Flagg debut-patch chase, upcoming baseball and racing releases, and more.And we finish with a baseball stat involving Shohei Ohtani and Pete Crow-Armstrong that had never happened before.Because every card has a story.#SportsCards #TheNational #CardCollecting #TalkingShopPodcast #ShoheiOhtani

The countdown to The National Sports Collectors Convention is officially on!In Episode 201 of Talking Shop, Josh and Michael share everything they've learned from attending the biggest sports card show in the world—from budgeting and buying strategy to grading decisions and navigating the massive show floor.We also discuss whether PSA's grading slowdown could impact the raw card market, what products are hitting hobby shop shelves this week, and which cards we'd be chasing if we had a $1,000 budget heading into Chicago.Whether it's your first National or your fifth, this episode is packed with practical advice and collector stories to help you make the most of hobby week.

In this episode:

🏟️ Preparing for The National 2026

💰 Budgeting before the biggest card show of the year

📦 What cards are actually worth grading?

🧳 National survival tips for first-time attendees

🏈 What we'd buy with a $1,000 budget

📈 Does PSA's grading pause affect raw card prices?

🛍️ New releases: Topps Finest Baseball & Topps Chrome Black Football

🤝 Trade nights, dealer strategy, and collector etiquette

Story LinksPSA Discussionhttps://www.instagram.com/reel/DaT5g79GI--/National Sports Collectors Conventionhttps://nsccshow.com/National Floor Planhttps://nsccshow.com/floorplan/

om Brady finally explains why his autograph has changed over the years... and collectors may look at his signatures differently after hearing it.Then we dive into what might be Panini's biggest hobby win in years. With the FIFA World Cup taking over the United States, 2026 Panini Prizm FIFA World Cup has arrived at exactly the right time, and the product absolutely delivers.We also discuss:⚽ The 8-year-old who pulled a Lionel Messi 1/1 Superfractor📈 Are PSA 9s becoming more valuable after PSA paused bulk submissions?🏀 Why did a Gold Victor Wembanyama autograph outsell an Orange version?✍️ A top MLB prospect explains why he now takes autograph signing much more seriously.Plus:• New releases• Shop updates• Crazy Stat of the WeekBecause Every Card Has a Story.

Victor Wembanyama didn't make the Finals.Again.So what does that mean for basketball cards?This week on Talking Shop, Josh and Michael discuss the health of the basketball card market, whether Wemby can truly become the face of the hobby, and who could be next if collectors start looking elsewhere.Plus:🏈 Brady & Gronk's game-used Super Bowl touchdown football heads to auction🇺🇸 One of the earliest printed copies of the Declaration of Independence hits Goldin🚀 A Buzz Lightyear card shocks collectors with a massive sale price📈 PSA's reported submission backlog explodes after its grading changes📦 New releases including:2026 Topps Series 2 BaseballLeaf Vivid BaseballTopps Merlin Premier League SoccerTopps Chrome FriendsSelect NASCARTopps Chrome DisneyCosmic Chrome FootballTopps Chrome Cactus Jack BasketballBecause every card has a story.

Has grading become the hobby? And which basketball company actually owns the future: Topps or Panini?PSA says it has a 10 million card backlog and is suspending several submission levels. At the same time, a Victor Wembanyama Black Prizm 1/1 sells for $5.11 million, a LeBron James Topps Chrome Superfractor Auto sells for $1.26 million, and the hobby's most famous missing redemption card finally resurfaces.This week the guys debate whether grading has become more important than collecting, whether Panini is really losing relevance, and what collectors are actually paying for when million-dollar cards change hands.Plus, Topps and Panini both launch new basketball products in the same week, leading to a bigger question: are collectors chasing cards, or chasing outcomes?In This EpisodePSA pauses multiple grading tiers10 million card backlog discussionTopps Signature Class BasketballPanini Signature Series BasketballBlind Ranking: Hobby AccomplishmentsWembanyama Black Prizm 1/1 sells for $5.11MLeBron Chrome Superfractor Auto sells for $1.26MThe Mantle redemption has finally been foundBiggest grading fee in Grand Slam historyJosh's Crazy Stat of the WeekFeatured Stories & LinksPSA Suspends Submission Levelshttps://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1606829914782841&id=100063675425060Victor Wembanyama Black Prizm 1/1 Sells for $5.11 Millionhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/sportscardsnonsense/permalink/1932782434373082/LeBron James Topps Chrome Superfractor Auto Sells for $1.26 Millionhttps://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1441067771395889The Mantle Redemption Has Been Foundhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/sportscardsnonsense/permalink/1934653164186009/Topps Signature Class Basketballhttps://www.topps.com/pages/topps-signature-class-basketballPanini Signature Series Basketballhttps://www.paniniamerica.net/2025-26-panini-signatures-series-basketball-trading-card-box-hobby.htmlBecause every card has a story.#talkingshoppodcast #SportsCards#CardCollecting#VictorWembanyama#LeBronJames#PSA#PaniniPrizm#ToppsChrome#SportsCardInvesting#BasketballCards

Did Aaron Judge just enter all-time territory? And are collectors too early… or already too late on Wembanyama?Aaron Judge's 2013 Bowman Chrome Superfractor resurfaced after 13 years and sold for nearly $840,000. That sparks a bigger question: where does Judge actually rank among Yankee legends and baseball's all-time greats?Then the guys dive into Victor Wembanyama's latest hobby headline as a game-used net from his historic 41-point, 24-rebound performance is turned into a 1/1 autograph card. Is this the future of memorabilia cards, or are manufacturers getting carried away?Plus, Grand Slam Cards is loaded with new releases this week, including Bowman Best Basketball, Topps Finest Football, FIFA Prizm Soccer, NBA Hoops Basketball, Leaf Baseball Nation, and more.And somehow the episode starts with a debate about Deadpool, Miles Morales, Harley Quinn, Mickey Mouse, and whether sports collectors forget stars faster than non-sports collectors.Because of course it does.This Episode:🏆 Aaron Judge's $838,800 Superfractor sale⚾ Where Judge ranks among Yankees legends🏀 Wembanyama game-used net 1/1 auto🤔 Are modern athletes protected by the leagues?🎭 Sports cards vs. non-sports collectibles debate⚽ FIFA Prizm Soccer & Donruss Soccer🏈 Topps Finest Football🏈 Leaf Optichrome Football🏈 Wild Card Aluminations Football🏀 Bowman Best University Basketball🏀 NBA Hoops Basketball⚾ Leaf Pro Set Metal Baseball⚾ Leaf Baseball Nation🎁 Cooper Flagg & Kon Knueppel giveawayWelcome to Grand Slam Cards, located in the heart of Rock Hill, South Carolina! If you found something to enjoy in this video, we'd really appreciate it if you could hit that SUBSCRIBE and LIKE button. Also, drop a comment below to let us know what you're interested in seeing next!Visit us at our store at:952 Mt Gallant Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29730Our doors are open during the following hours:Monday-Friday: 11am-7pmSaturday: 11am-5pmIf you can't make it to our store? You can visit our website by clicking on the link below:https://grandslamcardsrockhill.square.site/And for those of you who are all about card breaks:https://www.grandslambreaksrockhill.com

Would you rather own a $700K Luke Skywalker card or modern sports grails? Plus: wrestling fork relics, Toy Story autos, and GameStop trying to buy eBay.The hobby officially got weird this week.We debate whether a PSA 10 1977 Luke Skywalker card selling for nearly $700,000 says more about nostalgia than modern sports cards, react to an AEW match-used fork relic that somehow became real, and try to figure out why a Pokémon card ended up sewn into a baseball glove.Plus:Mike Trout signs his first Eagles cardPanini’s new Manga inserts are absolute chaosToy Story autograph cards are coming for millennial walletsGameStop and eBay somehow become hobby newsJosh gets fired up about GameStop carrying hobby boxesNew releases hitting Grand Slam this weekBig shop pulls including a Wemby auto /5Because every card has a story.🧾 In This Episode$687,500 Luke Skywalker PSA 10 saleAEW match-used fork relic debatePokémon card inside MLB gloveToy Story dual autograph cardsMike Trout Eagles autograph cardPanini FIFA Manga insertsGameStop CEO suspended from eBayCould GameStop actually buy eBay?Bowman Basketball release reactionsLorcana “Reign of Jafar” artwork discussionWemby auto /5 pulled at Grand Slam⏱ Suggested Chapters00:00 Cold Open — $700K Collectibles Debate03:25 Welcome to Talking Shop05:10 AEW Match-Used Fork Relic14:40 Pokémon Card Inside Baseball Glove22:18 New In The Shop35:12 Lorcana Artwork Discussion46:55 Giveaway Segment49:20 Grading Promo50:45 Toy Story Autograph Cards57:02 $687K Luke Skywalker Card1:07:50 Panini Manga Inserts1:12:40 Mike Trout Eagles Card1:16:25 GameStop vs eBay Discussion1:31:18 Big Pulls From The Shop1:38:45 Crazy Stat of the WeekStory LinksAEW Fork Relic: https://www.facebook.com/reel/4468513053468450Pokémon Glove: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1658690798710583Toy Story Autos: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1261408429531545Luke Skywalker Sale: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1426675886168411FIFA Manga Inserts: https://www.instagram.com/p/DYAylecjcgA/Mike Trout Eagles Card: https://www.instagram.com/p/DXzU1ILDthB/Ryan Cohen/eBay: https://www.instagram.com/p/DYCnOEkkWTo/GameStop/eBay Story: https://www.morningbrew.com/stories/gamestop-offers-buy-ebayHashtags#TalkingShopPodcast#SportsCards#PokemonCards#StarWarsCards#AEWCards#Lorcana#CardCollecting#GameStop#PaniniPrizm#ToppsWelcome to Grand Slam Cards, located in the heart of Rock Hill, South Carolina! If you found something to enjoy in this video, we'd really appreciate it if you could hit that SUBSCRIBE and LIKE button. Also, drop a comment below to let us know what you're interested in seeing next!Visit us at our store at:952 Mt Gallant Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29730Our doors are open during the following hours:Monday-Friday: 11am-7pmSaturday: 11am-5pmIf you can't make it to our store? You can visit our website by clicking on the link below:https://grandslamcardsrockhill.square.site/And for those of you who are all about card breaks:https://www.grandslambreaksrockhill.com