Collector Nation
- Episodes
- 129
- Released
- several times a week
- Latest episode
- Nov 13, 2026
About the podcast
Collector Nation is where trading cards and collectibles evolve from a hobby into culture, media, and a modern asset class. Hosted by Ryan Alford and Bella Shafer, the show goes beyond box rips and price charts to explore why the hobby is exploding, who is shaping it, and where it’s headed next. From vintage grails to modern heat, grading, market cycles, storytelling, and fandom—Collector Nation sits at the intersection of collectibles, entertainment, and business. If you believe trading cards are more than cardboard—and collectibles are becoming media, community, and opportunity—this is your home. Welcome to Collector Nation. United in the chase.
Episodes 129
PSA’s Backlog Barely Moved: Did They Reopen Value Grading Too Soon?
Sportsbooks like FanDuel and Underdog are moving into digital card packs, Topps launched instant rips in BUNT, and OG.com is selling packs you have to ship or sell back within seven days. Ryan Alford and Bella …
Show notes
Sportsbooks like FanDuel and Underdog are moving into digital card packs, Topps launched instant rips in BUNT, and OG.com is selling packs you have to ship or sell back within seven days. Ryan Alford and Bella debate whether it’s good for the hobby, and Card Counsel attorney Jake Dippold explains why breaks are different from gambling. Download the Collector Nation app and visit thecollectornation.com for more.
They also cover PSA’s backlog barely moving, Fanatics Fest 2027 tickets, Tom Brady’s 21st CardVault store and what it means for small card shops, Bella vs. Ask Ryan, and Five Up, Five Down.
**Topics Covered:**
* PSA’s backlog drops only from 7.2M to 6.8M after value grading reopens
* Nick Jarman (CTCA) on the 2027 trusted seller certification
* Erik Myers on fake cards and resealed boxes
* The CTCA global registry for breakers, stores and sellers
* Fanatics Fest growth and 2027 presale dates
* How Fanatics is building a hobby ecosystem
* FanDuel, Underdog and sportsbooks entering digital card packs
* Topps instant rips in the BUNT app
* OG.com’s seven-day ship-or-sell-back digital rips
* Are digital rips gambling? Card Counsel weighs in
* Tom Brady’s CardVault hits 21 stores
* GameStop’s push into cards, and what it means for small card shops
* Bella vs. Ask Ryan: AJ Dybantsa’s card market, grading now vs. waiting, and digital packs
* Five Up, Five Down: Caleb Williams, Joe Burrow, Victor Wembanyama, Jayson Tatum, CJ Stroud, Patrick Mahomes, Christian Watson, Drake Maye, Stephon Castle
**🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode**
Collector Nation
Website: [https\://thecollectornation.com](https://thecollectornation.com)
Download the App (try Ask Ryan): [https\://apps.apple.com/us/app/collector-nation/id6795562084](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/collector-nation/id6795562084)
Instagram: [https\://www\.instagram.com/thecollectornation_](https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation_)
TikTok: [https\://www\.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation](https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation)
YouTube: [https\://www\.youtube.com/@thecollectornation](https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornation)
CTCA (Certified Trading Card Association)
Website: [https\://www\.thectca.org](https://www.thectca.org)
Instagram: [https\://www\.instagram.com/thectca](https://www.instagram.com/thectca)
Erik Myers
Instagram: [https\://www\.instagram.com/haole\_hustle](https://www.instagram.com/haole_hustle)
Secure Authentication LLC: [https\://www\.secureauthenticationllc.com/](https://www.secureauthenticationllc.com/)
Jake Dippold / Card Counsel
Website: https\://cardcounselors.com/
Collector Station
10 East Main Street, Easley, SC
Website: [https\://thecollectorstation.com](https://thecollectorstation.com)
Instagram: [https\://www\.instagram.com/thecollectorstation](https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstation)
Ryan Alford
Website: [https\://www\.ryanalford.com](https://www.ryanalford.com)
Instagram: [https\://www\.instagram.com/ryanalford](https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford)
⭐ Would you buy a card pack on a sportsbook app? Tell us in the comments. Subscribe for weekly hobby news, and download the Collector Nation app (iOS and Android) to try Ask Ryan, your AI hobby assistant.
\#sportscards \#thehobby \#collectornation
Topps Left 23 Supernovas Out of Cosmic Chrome. Now What?
Topps left 23 of 25 Supernova chase cards out of 2026 Cosmic Chrome Baseball. Ryan Alford and Bella break down the mistake, Topps’ Gold /50 make-good, and what it means for breakers and collectors. Download the …
Show notes
Topps left 23 of 25 Supernova chase cards out of 2026 Cosmic Chrome Baseball. Ryan Alford and Bella break down the mistake, Topps’ Gold /50 make-good, and what it means for breakers and collectors. Download the Collector Nation app and visit thecollectornation.com for more.
They also cover eBay’s new wallet that holds your sale money, Goldin’s deal with the Rams, the Fanatics Amex card, and two PSA 10 slabs sharing one cert number on Fanatics Collect. That’s followed by Erik Myers of Heritage Auctions on how AI is about to change counterfeiting.
Topics Covered:
- Topps left 23 of 25 Supernovas out of 2026 Cosmic Chrome Baseball
- Topps’ make-good: Gold /50 redemptions and the 10-Supernova 1/1 chase
- Why super short prints aren’t numbered
- eBay now holds your sale funds in a wallet: pros, cons and who earns the interest
- Goldin becomes the Los Angeles Rams’ official auction house partner
- The Fanatics American Express card: Topps-style design and rewards
- Surface Issues: two PSA 10 slabs with one cert number sold on Fanatics Collect
- Erik Myers on AI counterfeits and who’s responsible for stopping fakes
- Is PSA’s faster grading pace opening the door for fraud?
🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode
Collector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
Download the App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/collector-nation/id6795562084
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation_
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornationErik Myers
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haole_hustle
Secure Authentication LLC: https://www.secureauthenticationllc.com/
Heritage Auctions: https://www.ha.comCollector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstationRyan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford⭐ Did you rip Cosmic Chrome before the Supernova news? Tell us in the comments. Subscribe for more hobby news, and download the free Collector Nation app (iOS and Android) for real-time card alerts. Creators, DM us to get verified and start earning.
#sportscards #topps #collectornation
Tags:
topps cosmic chrome, cosmic chrome supernova, 2026 topps cosmic chrome baseball, topps mistake, topps supernova redemption, ebay wallet, ebay holding funds, ebay seller payouts, goldin rams, fanatics amex card, fanatics credit card, fake psa slab, psa cert number, fanatics collect, counterfeit cards, erik myers, sports card news, the hobby, collector nationThe Hobby Just Hit $1 BILLION in a Month… So Why Are New Cards DOWN?
The hobby just hit $1 billion in reported sales in a single month, up 65% from last October, and grading set a record with 3.87 million cards graded. So why are new-release cards down? On this episode of …
Show notes
The hobby just hit $1 billion in reported sales in a single month, up 65% from last October, and grading set a record with 3.87 million cards graded. So why are new-release cards down? On this episode of Collector Nation, Ryan Alford and Bella launch the Collector Nation Hobby Index, which tracks vintage, modern, new-release and Pokémon prices against a May baseline, and break down what the market is telling collectors. Download the Collector Nation app and see the full Hobby Index at thecollectornation.com under Analysis.
We also cover the Dylan Harper 1/1 Logoman pulled from a $25 PrizePicks pack just eight days after launch, Kapture’s free stolen-card alert system after the PSA FedEx theft, and Nick Jarman on the CTCA’s card registry and certified shop program. Collector Nation is now an official CTCA member. Plus: Dick’s getting Topps Flagship Basketball a day early, what that means for local card shops, and celebrities like Emma Roberts jumping into live breaking.
Then it’s Five Up, Five Down with Anthony Edwards, Bucky Irving, Colston Loveland, Joe Burrow, Kirk Cousins, Justin Herbert, CeeDee Lamb and Victor Wembanyama. And a big announcement: Collector Station partnered with Murray Henderson Art on an original Cooper Flagg painting and 1/1 art cards, available only at Collector Station.
Topics Covered:
* The hobby hits $1 billion in reported October sales (up 65% year over year)
* Record grading month: 3.87 million cards graded
* PSA’s $39.99 value tier: when grading makes sense (raw vs. PSA 9 vs. PSA 10 after fees)
* Collector Nation Hobby Index launch: older Pokémon 117, vintage sports 106, newer sets 77.9, new releases 62.1
* Why the weak NFL rookie class is dragging down modern singles
* Celebrities in the hobby: Emma Roberts, the Jonas Brothers and Mckenna Grace
* Capture’s free stolen-card alert system and two recovered cards
* Nick Jarman on CTCA’s card registry and certified shop program
* Dylan Harper 1/1 Logoman pulled from a $25 PrizePicks pack
* Topps Flagship Basketball releases a day early at Dick’s: what it means for local card shops
* Five Up, Five Down: Anthony Edwards, Bucky Irving, Colston Loveland, Joe Burrow, Kirk Cousins, Justin Herbert, CeeDee Lamb, Victor Wembanyama
* Collector Station x Murray Henderson Art: original Cooper Flagg painting and 1/1 art cards
* Download the app and enter to win a hobby box or Pokémon ETB
🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode
Collector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
Hobby Index and Analysis: https://thecollectornation.com/analysis
Download the App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/collector-nation/id6795562084
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation_
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornation
Collector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstation
CTCA (Certified Trading Card Association)
Website: https://www.thectca.org
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thectca
Ryan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford
⭐ Is the hobby getting healthier, or are new releases a warning sign? Tell us in the comments. Subscribe for weekly hobby news and market data. Download the Collector Nation app (iOS and Android) and register through the website for a chance to win a hobby box or Pokémon ETB.
#sportscards #thehobby #collectornation
Fake Cards Are About to Be Impossible to Spot – Heritage VP Erik Myers
Ryan Alford sits down with Erik Myers, VP of Modern Sports at Heritage Auctions and former head of innovation and anti-counterfeiting at Topps, to talk about how AI is changing counterfeit cards, how resealed …
Show notes
Ryan Alford sits down with Erik Myers, VP of Modern Sports at Heritage Auctions and former head of innovation and anti-counterfeiting at Topps, to talk about how AI is changing counterfeit cards, how resealed boxes are being sold, and why you should only buy sealed product from card shops or manufacturers. Download the Collector Nation app and visit thecollectornation.com for more.
Erik shares how the hobby gave him a second chance, why he once owned 22 of the 26 Flawless Kobe PSA 10s, a $4–5 million card that just came into Heritage, and why he thinks Pokémon is bigger than most collectors realize. Plus, the National moment we captured when Erik was surprised with a painting.
Topics Covered:
- Erik Myers’ path: PWCC, Alt, Topps and now VP of Modern Sports at Heritage Auctions
- Why the card industry ignored counterfeiting for so long
- How AI will make counterfeit cards nearly undetectable in 18–36 months
- Resealed boxes: how case hits get pulled and boxes resold
- Why you should only buy sealed product from card shops or the manufacturer
- How the hobby gave Erik a second chance
- Erik’s surprise painting gift at the National
- Heritage Auctions’ cash advances for consignors
- Modern vs. vintage: where the 1984 cutoff comes from
- Michael Rubin’s impact on the hobby
- Cooper Flagg’s $8M card vs. a $12M Jordan Finals jersey
- Owning 22 of 26 Flawless Kobe patch auto PSA 10s
- When to sell: Flawless, Exquisite and buying low
- A $4–5 million 1997 basketball card pulled from a pack
- Why Pokémon may be bigger than sports cards
- Heritage’s 3 million bidders and 58 collecting categories
- Basketball pack rip: autos and numbered cards
- Raised vs. printed numbering: how to spot the difference
🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode
Collector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
Download the App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/collector-nation/id6795562084
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation_
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornationErik Myers
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haole_hustle
Secure Authentication LLC: https://www.secureauthenticationllc.com/Heritage Auctions
Website: https://www.ha.com
Sports Auctions: https://sports.ha.comCollector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstationRyan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford⭐ Would you still buy sealed boxes online after hearing this? Tell us in the comments. Subscribe for more interviews with the biggest names in the hobby, and download the Collector Nation app (iOS and Android) for real-time card alerts and market data.
#sportscards #counterfeitcards #collectornation
PSA Value Tier Is BACK at $39.99… Is It Worth It?
PSA just reopened its value tier at $39.99 per card. On this Halloween episode, Ryan Alford and Bella (dressed as Ryan) break down the 90–120 day turnaround, the $500 insurance cap, the 7.2 million card …
Show notes
PSA just reopened its value tier at $39.99 per card. On this Halloween episode, Ryan Alford and Bella (dressed as Ryan) break down the 90–120 day turnaround, the $500 insurance cap, the 7.2 million card backlog, and whether value bulk is coming back. Download the Collector Nation app and track every grading company’s prices at thecollectornation.com/grading.
They also look at the 1/1s and the Bronco Nagurski rookie stolen from a FedEx truck, sealed product rising while modern singles dip, NFL card market movers, and a Ryan vs. Ryan Donruss Football pack battle. They close with upcoming releases, including Topps Flagship Basketball and Bo Jackson Battle Arena.
Topics Covered:
• PSA reopens its $39.99 value tier: turnaround, $500 insurance cap and the 7.2M backlog
• Will PSA bring back value bulk? (next update November 3)
• Track grading prices at thecollectornation.com/grading
• PSA FedEx theft: the stolen 1/1s and the 1935 Bronco Nagurski rookie
• Why the $1M stolen-card estimate is questionable
• Nick Jarman (CTCA) on theft, counterfeits and card registries
• Sealed sports and Pokémon product up, modern singles down
• Why this NFL rookie class is cooling the market
• Josh Allen on the Topps Chrome Football cover
• Topps Holiday and Heritage Football Easter eggs
• NFL card market movers: Joe Burrow, Bo Nix, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Tetairoa McMillan
• Ryan vs. Ryan pack battle: Donruss Football blaster
• Upcoming releases: Topps Flagship Basketball, Bowman Sapphire, Bowman U Best, Topps Five Star, Bo Jackson Battle Arena
🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode
Collector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
Grading Price Tracker: https://thecollectornation.com/grading
Download the App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/collector-nation/id6795562084
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornation
Collector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstation
Ryan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford
Nick Jarman / CTCA (Certified Trading Card Association)
Website: https://www.thectca.org
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thectca
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thectca
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ctcachannel
X: https://x.com/thectca
⭐ Would you send cards in at $39.99 with a $500 insurance cap? Tell us in the comments. Subscribe for weekly hobby news, grading updates and pack battles, and download the Collector Nation app (iOS and Android) for real-time card alerts.
#sportscards #psagrading #collectornationWhy Did EVERY Grading Company Shut Down Value Tiers?! Beckett and MBA
Why can’t you get cards graded at value prices anymore? In this Surface Issues episode, Ryan Alford talks with Colin Hudson, GM of Beckett Grading, and Nick Dolezal, Director of Grading at MBA, about why value …
Show notes
Why can’t you get cards graded at value prices anymore? In this Surface Issues episode, Ryan Alford talks with Colin Hudson, GM of Beckett Grading, and Nick Dolezal, Director of Grading at MBA, about why value tiers shut down across the hobby, how demand outpaced grading capacity, and what each company is doing about it. Download the Collector Nation app and visit thecollectornation.com for the latest on grading.
Colin explains Beckett’s website outage, when he hopes its services will be back, and in-person submissions at select shows. Nick breaks down the grader shortage, MBA’s approach to consistent grades and its $15 standard tier. Both answer the big one: are grading prices going up?
Topics Covered:
• Why PSA, Beckett and SGC paused value tier grading
• Grading demand vs. capacity: the backlog explained
• Beckett’s $18 base tier and Black Label chase
• Why Beckett’s website and services went offline
• Beckett’s timeline for restoring its price guide, autograph authentication and marketplace
• In-person Beckett submissions at select card shows
• MBA’s raw card grading and Diamond stickers
• The card grader shortage, hiring and training
• Grading consistency: why the same card can get different grades
• MBA’s $15 standard tier and value-based upcharge
• Will grading prices go up?
• The future of the Beckett magazine
Links:
Collector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
Download the App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/collector-nation/id6795562084
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation_
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornation
Beckett Grading
Website: https://www.beckett.com
MBA (Mike Baker Authenticated)
Website: https://grading.mba/
Collector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstation
Ryan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford
⭐ Enjoying the show? Follow Collector Nation and leave a 5-star rating. It helps us grow. Download the Collector Nation app for real-time card alerts and market data, and read more at thecollectornation.com.
Topps Is Shipping Boxes UNSEALED… Here’s the Problem 😬
Topps is shipping Chrome mega boxes without cellophane to fight scalpers. Ryan Alford, Brian Ludden and Bella debate whether that protects collectors or just shifts the risk to local card shops. Download the …
Show notes
Topps is shipping Chrome mega boxes without cellophane to fight scalpers. Ryan Alford, Brian Ludden and Bella debate whether that protects collectors or just shifts the risk to local card shops. Download the Collector Nation app and visit thecollectornation.com for more.
The crew also breaks down three record-setting Shohei Ohtani sales, PrizePicks putting top rookie 1/1s into $2,500 repacks, LeBron’s 24 jersey-patch 1/1s and the PSA cards stolen from a FedEx truck. They close with Five Up, Five Down for NFL Week 6 and this week’s Topps Heritage Football, Holiday and Vault Disney releases.
Topics Covered:
- Topps shipping Chrome mega boxes unsealed: what it means for collectors and card shops
- Searched and X-rayed boxes: Ryan’s suspicious rip
- Ohtani 2025 Tokyo Series game-worn jersey sells for $2M+
- Ohtani 2026 Topps Chrome Ultraviolet Superfractor 1/1 sells for $329K
- Ohtani 2018 Bowman Chrome PSA 9 rookie drops $26K
- Cards vs. game-worn memorabilia: which holds value long term?
- PrizePicks puts Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper and Kon Knueppel 1/1 Logomen into $2,500 repacks
- Gambling sites and repacks: what it means for the hobby
- Topps turns LeBron’s “24” jersey patches into 1/1 cards
- PSA cards stolen from a FedEx truck, and why you should insure your shipments
- Five Up, Five Down: NFL Week 6 card market movers
- Topps Heritage Football: Walter Payton PSA 10 chase
- Topps Holiday Baseball and Topps Vault Disney release
- Donruss Football returns unlicensed
- Topps vs. Panini: why brand matters without a license
🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode
Collector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
Download the App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/collector-nation/id6795562084
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation_
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornation
Collector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstation
Ryan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford
Brian Ludden / Ludex
Website: https://www.ludex.com
Download Ludex: https://www.ludex.com/download
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ludexapp
⭐ Would you buy an unsealed box? Tell us in the comments. Subscribe for weekly hobby news and card market breakdowns. Download the Collector Nation app (iOS and Android) for real-time card alerts. Creators, apply at thecollectornation.com to become a verified creator and start earning.
What Really Happens Behind the Scenes at a Card Show?! 😱
Ryan Alford sits down with Steve “Greenie” of Greenie Sports Cards and Jeremy Levine of the Big Play Collectibles Network, two lifelong friends who went from flipping baseball cards as kids to running dozens of …
Show notes
Ryan Alford sits down with Steve “Greenie” of Greenie Sports Cards and Jeremy Levine of the Big Play Collectibles Network, two lifelong friends who went from flipping baseball cards as kids to running dozens of card shows across multiple states every year.
Jeremy, who has been part of 16 Nationals and produced five, shares how the show changed after COVID and why the hobby’s growth hasn’t slowed. Greenie explains why there’s still something at every price point for every collector, and both make the case for why face-to-face card shows and local shops will keep growing alongside live selling.
They also break down the story behind the Great Lakes Collectors Convention and Greenie Sports Cards Live, the launch of the Big Play Collectibles Network as a home for hobby shows and creators, and what it meant to open and close the Mike Berkus Stage at the National.
Topics Covered
• The state of the hobby from the show floor
• How the National has evolved since 2000
• Something for every collector at every price point
• Why in-person shows still matter
• Collecting across generations
• Building the Great Lakes Collectors Convention
• Greenie Sports Cards Live
• The Big Play Collectibles Network
• The Mike Berkus Stage at the National
• What’s ahead for Greenie shows in 2027
SPONSORS – DraftKings
Download the DraftKings Sports app and use code COLLECTORNATION. New DraftKings customers can spend five and get two hundred in total bonuses paid within 21 days – includes all markets. That's code COLLECTORNATION. In Partnership with DraftKings. The Crown Is Yours.
🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode
Collector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/collector-nation/id6795562084
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation_
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornation
Greenie Sports Cards
Website: https://greeniesportscards.com
Big Play Collectibles Network
Website: https://www.bigplay.com/pages/collectibles
Collector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstation
Ryan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford
⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, follow Collector Nation, leave a 5-star review, download the free Collector Nation app, and share it with another collector.
This Kobe Card Went From $156K to $1.1M… Here’s What It Means for the Hobby
A Kobe Bryant gold /10 BGS 9.5 went from $156K in 2022 to $1.1M in 2026. Ryan Alford and Bella explain why rising Hall of Famer prices signal a healthy, more stable card market, and how that’s different from …
Show notes
A Kobe Bryant gold /10 BGS 9.5 went from $156K in 2022 to $1.1M in 2026. Ryan Alford and Bella explain why rising Hall of Famer prices signal a healthy, more stable card market, and how that’s different from chasing rookie 1/1s. Download the Collector Nation app and visit thecollectornation.com for more.
Ryan and Bella also break down the second MJ 1998 Finals jersey to sell for $14M (this one privately), Goldin’s Babe Ruth card vs. Ty Cobb photo result, and where things stand with grading and the PSA backlog. They close with Five Up, Five Down for NFL Week 5 and the latest Topps price hikes on Flagship Basketball and Cosmic Chrome.
Topics Covered:
- Kobe Bryant gold /10 BGS 9.5: $156K (2022) → $1.1M (2026)
- Why rising Hall of Famer prices mean market stability, not gambling
- Second MJ 1998 Finals jersey sells privately for $14M
- Private sales vs. open auctions: why “the last comp lies”
- Goldin Fall Vintage Elite: Babe Ruth card vs. Ty Cobb Type 1 photo
- Grading: the PSA backlog, the value tier, and cost per card
- Five Up, Five Down: NFL Week 5 card market movers
- Fernando Mendoza’s debut patch going into a Topps 1/1
- Topps Update Series markups over MSRP
- 2026 Topps Flagship Basketball (169.99)andCosmicChrome(489) price hikes
- Halloween special preview
SPONSORS
NordVPN: To get the best discount off your NordVPN plan - go to nordvpn.com/COLLECTORNATION- our link will also give you 4 extra months on the 2-year plan. There's no risk with Nord’s 30 day money-back guarantee!
🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode
Collector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
Download the App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/collector-nation/id6795562084
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation_
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornationCollector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstationRyan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford⭐ Would you have held that Kobe card from 2022 to now? Tell us in the comments. Subscribe for weekly hobby news and market breakdowns. Download the Collector Nation app (iOS and Android) for real-time card alerts, and if you’re a verified creator, you can start earning.
#sportscards #thehobby #collectornation
Forget Downtowns… THESE Are the Coolest Cards in the Hobby | Murray Henderson and Creator Collective
Ryan Alford sits down with Canadian artist Murray Henderson and Collector Creative founder Zach Nigut to explore one of the most overlooked corners of the hobby: real, hand-made sports art. Murray shares how an …
Show notes
Ryan Alford sits down with Canadian artist Murray Henderson and Collector Creative founder Zach Nigut to explore one of the most overlooked corners of the hobby: real, hand-made sports art. Murray shares how an accidental paint spill turned a photorealism painter into the creator of "exact abstract," and what it means to be named the 2026 Sport Artist of the Year, with his work going on display in a museum for a full year.
Zach explains how he and Murray met at the 2024 National and built a partnership turning Murray's large original paintings into small-run collectible art cards, each a 1-of-1 variation with its own holographic verification number. The two discuss why real art carries more meaning than AI-generated designs, the hidden details layered into every piece, and how they decide which players and pop-culture moments to bring to life.
Ryan also recounts the emotional Ted Williams painting reveal at the National, makes the case for Topps working with real artists again, and announces an exclusive Murray Henderson original and art card series coming to Collector Station.
Topics Covered
- Murray Henderson's 2026 Sport Artist of the Year honor
- From photorealism to "exact abstract"
- Why great art has to be seen in person
- The Collector Creative partnership
- Turning paintings into collectible art cards
- Real art vs. AI
- Verification and premium packaging
- The Ted Williams surprise
- Artists and the future of card design
- Exclusive art coming to Collector Station
🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode
Collector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/collector-nation/id6795562084
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation_
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornationMurray Henderson
Website: https://www.murrayhendersonart.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/murray_hendersonZach Nigut / Collector Creative
Website: https://www.collectorcreative.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collector_creativeCollector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstationRyan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, follow Collector Nation, leave a 5-star review, download the free Collector Nation app, and share it with another collector.
Why This ISN'T 2021: Our Honest Take on the Card Market Right Now
Ryan Alford, Brian Ludden and Bella are back as Coinbase joins the growing list of major companies moving into the collectibles space with Pokémon packs backed by real cards. The crew discusses what that much …
Show notes
Ryan Alford, Brian Ludden and Bella are back as Coinbase joins the growing list of major companies moving into the collectibles space with Pokémon packs backed by real cards. The crew discusses what that much new money means for sourcing, regulation and the future of digital pack ripping.
From there, they take on the bubble question head-on, explaining why today's market looks very different from the 2021 surge and why long-term demand is being driven by families, multiple generations and mainstream media attention. They also cover Topps moving EQL drops to a random draw and the nonstop demand for Pokémon at Collector Station and overseas.
The back half of the episode turns to the card market itself: vintage football rookies from Jim Brown, Jerry Rice and Walter Payton gaining ground, Tom Brady's market cooling, and hold-or-buy takes on Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy and Cam Ward. Ryan revisits his 2026 Bowman Football review after opening value boxes, and he and Bella close with a 2026 Allen & Ginter pack battle on release day.
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Topics Covered
- Coinbase's Pokémon pack launch
- Big money entering the hobby
- Is the card market a bubble?
- 2021 vs. today
- Topps EQL random draws
- Pokémon demand at home and abroad
- How media coverage moves card values
- Vintage football rookies on the rise
- Tom Brady's cooling market
- Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy and Cam Ward
- 2026 Bowman Football value boxes
- 2026 Allen & Ginter pack battle
🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode
Collector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/collector-nation/id6795562084
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation_
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornationCollector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstationRyan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalfordBrian Ludden / Ludex
Website: https://www.ludex.com
App: https://www.ludex.com/download🎁 Download the free Collector Nation app through any release page at thecollectornation.com to be entered to win a free hobby box or Pokémon Elite Trainer Box.
⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, follow Collector Nation, leave a 5-star review, and share it with another collector.
A $45K Car Inside a Trading Card Pack?! | Alladan Flinn, Based Trading Cards
Ryan Alford sits down with Alladan Flinn, founder and CEO of Based Trading Cards, to talk about what happens when a card maker puts transparency and the collector first. Every series of Based's Orange Pill in a …
Show notes
Ryan Alford sits down with Alladan Flinn, founder and CEO of Based Trading Cards, to talk about what happens when a card maker puts transparency and the collector first. Every series of Based's Orange Pill in a Pack has a finite run of 21,000 packs, a published hit list and a promise never to reprint.
They dig into how many packs Pokémon really prints each year and why the sports card parallel pyramid has grown too tall. They also get into what scarcity actually means for numbered cards, and why a card numbered /210 with no parallels can beat a /10 parallel.
The episode also covers the Series 1 box that went from $500 to more than $20,000 and the day one was traded for a Kubota tractor. Alladan explains the Experience Box and its Golden Key pack with a 1-in-420 shot at a Dodge Challenger, and he previews Cardboard Kings, his upcoming history of trading cards.
Topics Covered
- Alladan Flinn's path from collector to card maker
- Lessons from the '90s overproduction era
- How many packs Pokémon prints each year
- The parallel pyramid in modern sports cards
- Finite print runs and published hit lists
- Serialized cards and true scarcity
- Partnering with RRD
- Hobby shop distribution
- The $500 box now worth $20,000
- Bitcoin Tractor Day
- Why the secondary market matters to card makers
- Community as a marketing engine
- The Experience Box and Golden Key chase
- Cardboard Kings: The History of Trading Cards
🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode
Collector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/collector-nation/id6795562084
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation_
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornationAlladan Flinn / Based Trading Cards
Website: https://basedtradingcards.com
Socials: @BasedCardsCollector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstationRyan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, follow Collector Nation, leave a 5-star review, download the Collector Nation app, and share it with another collector.
J.J. McCarthy’s Trade Sent His Cards Up 500%… Is It Real or Just Hype?
Ryan Alford and Bella are back with this week's Collector Nation, starting with Michael Jordan's "Last Dance" Finals jersey selling for a record $12.26 million. They discuss what the price says about game-worn …
Show notes
Ryan Alford and Bella are back with this week's Collector Nation, starting with Michael Jordan's "Last Dance" Finals jersey selling for a record $12.26 million. They discuss what the price says about game-worn memorabilia versus trading cards, and why the chance to pull a 1/1 yourself adds so much value to cards.
The conversation turns to the grading crunch, as Beckett and PSA struggle to keep up with demand. Ryan shares how collectors should approach grading right now and introduces Collector Nation's new grading tracker, which compares pricing and turnaround across every major grader. They also discuss counterfeit concerns and why authentication matters more than ever.
On the football side, Ryan makes his buy calls on Brock Purdy and Kirk Cousins. He and Bella also cover the Bears' upset of the Eagles, Drake Maye's rough stretch, a QB trade that sent cards soaring, and Jaxson Dart's market after his injury. They close by ripping 2026 Bowman Football mega boxes and sharing an honest review.
Topics Covered
- Michael Jordan's record $12.26M jersey sale
- Cards vs. game-worn memorabilia
- Big sales across the hobby
- Beckett and PSA grading demand
- Collector Nation's grading tracker
- Counterfeits and authentication
- Brock Purdy and Kirk Cousins buy calls
- Bears upset the Eagles
- Drake Maye's slump
- QB trade sends cards up 500%
- Jaxson Dart after injury
- Hype vs. performance in the card market
- 2026 Bowman Football mega box rip and review
🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode
Collector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
Grading Tracker:
App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/collector-nation/id6795562084
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation_
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornationCollector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstationRyan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, follow Collector Nation, leave a 5-star review, download the free Collector Nation app, and share it with another collector.
Million-Dollar Sports Card Deals: Private Sales, Negotiation & Rarity
Nathan Howerton, founder of Nostalgix, joins Ryan Alford to go inside the high-end collectibles market and explain what he is seeing in private transactions that never reach the public auction block. Nathan …
Show notes
Nathan Howerton, founder of Nostalgix, joins Ryan Alford to go inside the high-end collectibles market and explain what he is seeing in private transactions that never reach the public auction block. Nathan discusses why buyers are increasingly focused on low-pop, high-grade and visually exceptional cards, and why collectors are sometimes willing to pay significant premiums for truly rare pieces.
Ryan and Nathan also examine the limitations of traditional card comps in a fast-moving market. Nathan explains why recent deals can move faster than available sales data, how private negotiation changes the buying process and why Nostalgix removes the identities of buyers and sellers to reduce outside influence and keep negotiations focused on the collectible itself.
They also discuss what makes collectibles endure, the role of nostalgia and scarcity, physical versus digital collecting and some of the unusual high-end transactions Nathan has handled across trading cards, video games, comics, books, coins and other collectibles.
Topics Covered
- The current high-end sports card market
- Low-pop cards and scarcity
- Why collectors pay premiums for rarity
- The limitations of last-sale comps
- Eye appeal and condition
- Private collectible transactions
- Auctions vs. private brokerage
- High-end negotiations
- Buyer and seller anonymity
- How Nostalgix works
- Using data and AI in collectible transactions
- What makes collectibles valuable long term
- Nostalgia and strong intellectual property
- Physical vs. digital collectibles
- Pokémon video games and trading cards
- Comics, coins and other high-end collectibles
- How a small number of serious buyers can move a market
🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode
Collector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation_
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornationCollector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstationNostalgix
Website: https://nostalgix.ioRyan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, follow Collector Nation, leave a 5-star review and share it with another collector.
Jackson Dart Is OUT for the Season… So Why BUY His Cards?!
Ryan Alford, Bella and Brian Ludden are back for another Collector Nation weekly episode covering everything moving through the hobby. They start with Pokémon’s 30th Celebration, the growing crossover between …
Show notes
Ryan Alford, Bella and Brian Ludden are back for another Collector Nation weekly episode covering everything moving through the hobby. They start with Pokémon’s 30th Celebration, the growing crossover between Pokémon and sports card collectors, the Cooper Flagg 1/1 patch auto auction and the continued growth of the collectibles market.
Then the conversation turns to football. The crew breaks down Jackson Dart’s season-ending injury, concerns surrounding Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams and how injuries can affect different levels of the sports card market. Ryan explains why he may actually be looking to buy Dart cards if collectors begin selling into the injury news.
Next up is Five Up, Five Down, including Josh Allen, Jackson Smith-Njigba, Kenneth Walker III, Bryce Young and Amon-Ra St. Brown on the rise, while Drake Maye, Cam Ward, Bo Nix, Cooper Kupp and Jameson Williams are among the names moving in the opposite direction. Ryan also highlights Chris Olave, Christian Watson and Dalton Kincaid as three under-the-radar football card names to watch.
The episode wraps with Ryan and Bella battling Pokémon 30th Celebration packs against a 1991 WCW wrestling pack before previewing 2026 Bowman Football, including Arch Manning, college prospects, NFL players and how the market could respond to the next quarterback class.
Topics Covered- Pokémon 30th Celebration and collector crossover
- Cooper Flagg 1/1 auction update
- Jackson Dart’s injury and card market
- Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams injury concerns
- How injuries impact football card prices
- Five Up, Five Down in the football card market
- Josh Allen, Bryce Young and Jackson Smith-Njigba on the rise
- Drake Maye, Cam Ward and Bo Nix trending down
- Chris Olave, Christian Watson and Dalton Kincaid under the radar
- Pokémon vs. WCW pack battle + 2026 Bowman Football and Arch Manning
Collector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation_
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornationCollector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstationLudex
Website: https://www.ludex.com
App: https://www.ludex.com/download
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ludexappRyan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, follow Collector Nation, leave a 5-star review and share it with another collector.
Whatnot Is Worth $20 BILLION… Are Sports Card Breaks Just Getting Started?!
Joe Hollywood joins Ryan Alford for a deep dive into the rapid evolution of sports card collecting, live selling and breaking, and how a hobby that once felt niche continues to push further into the …
Show notes
Joe Hollywood joins Ryan Alford for a deep dive into the rapid evolution of sports card collecting, live selling and breaking, and how a hobby that once felt niche continues to push further into the mainstream.
Joe shares how he went from selling cards out of his basement with virtually no audience to building the most-followed sports show on Whatnot. He explains why community has been the foundation of that growth, what new breakers get wrong, and why he believes live commerce could eventually extend far beyond mobile apps and become part of the way people watch and shop through traditional media.
Ryan and Joe also discuss the economics behind massive chase cards, the changing grading landscape, PSA backlogs, AI grading, a potential opportunity for Panini, growing demand for iconic names like Jordan, Kobe and Ohtani, vintage wax, missing grails and some of the biggest cards Joe has ever pulled live.
Topics Covered
- Joe Hollywood’s journey into live selling
- Building the #1 sports show on Whatnot
- Growing to roughly 500K followers
- The rise of sports card breaking
- Why community drives successful live shows
- The future of live commerce
- Whatnot’s growth
- Million-dollar sports card chases
- Cooper Flagg and modern chase cards
- PSA and grading backlogs
- The future of AI grading
- Panini’s potential opportunity in grading
- Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Shohei Ohtani
- Vintage wax and unopened product
- Why rare cards can’t always be valued by last comp
- High-end cards that have never surfaced
- Joe’s Kobe Bryant Essential Credentials pull
- Where the hobby goes next
🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode
Collector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornationCollector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstationRyan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalfordJoe Hollywood
Website: https://www.joehollywood.com
Whatnot: https://www.whatnot.com/user/joehollywood
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealjoehollywood/⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, follow Collector Nation, leave a 5-star review, and share it with another collector.
Inside a Massive Scottie Pippen Collection + Why 90s Inserts Are Heating Up
Ryan Alford and Bella are back with a packed Collector Nation weekly episode covering some of the biggest stories moving through the hobby, starting with the launch of Pokémon’s 30th Celebration. Demand is …
Show notes
Ryan Alford and Bella are back with a packed Collector Nation weekly episode covering some of the biggest stories moving through the hobby, starting with the launch of Pokémon’s 30th Celebration. Demand is already intense at Collector Station, and the conversation turns to the reported $20,000 Blue Mew sale and what the early frenzy says about the strength of Pokémon collecting.
They also break down a major shift in card grading as Beckett reopens with a $17.99 value option while PSA continues working through a 9.9 million-card backlog. Ryan and Bella discuss pricing, turnaround times, brand value and why this could be an important window for Beckett to regain ground in the grading market.
The episode also covers the early football card winners and losers, a major jump in a 1997 Metal Universe Michael Jordan, the huge Scottie Pippen insert collection that walked into Collector Station, a record-setting Mickey Mantle photograph, Ken Griffey Jr.’s massive graded population and the multimillion-dollar Cooper Flagg 1/1.
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Topics Covered
- Pokémon 30th Celebration
- The reported $20,000 Blue Mew
- Pokémon demand at Collector Station
- Beckett grading reopening
- Beckett’s value pricing
- PSA’s grading backlog
- The current state of card grading
- Jackson Dart and Caleb Williams cards
- Trevor Lawrence’s market
- Drake Maye, Bo Nix and Marvin Harrison Jr.
- 1990s basketball inserts
- Michael Jordan Metal Universe growth
- Scottie Pippen inserts
- The $3 million Mickey Mantle photograph
- 200,000 graded Ken Griffey Jr. rookies
- Cooper Flagg’s card shop
- The Cooper Flagg 1/1 auction
🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode
Collector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation_
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornationCollector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstationRyan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, follow Collector Nation, leave a 5-star review, and share it with another collector.
Are Game-Worn Jerseys the Most UNDERVALUED Assets in Sports?!
Rob Gough joins Ryan Alford to discuss one of the most significant pieces of Michael Jordan memorabilia to come to market: the white jersey Jordan wore during Game 3 of the 1998 NBA Finals.Rob shares how he …
Show notes
Rob Gough joins Ryan Alford to discuss one of the most significant pieces of Michael Jordan memorabilia to come to market: the white jersey Jordan wore during Game 3 of the 1998 NBA Finals.
Rob shares how he tracked the jersey down, why he eventually decided it was time to sell and why he believes the best game-worn pieces from iconic athletes remain undervalued compared with other alternative assets. He also reveals that the jersey already has a $10 million bid and explains why he believes it could ultimately reach $100 million.
Ryan and Rob also discuss Rob’s broader collection, including his former 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 9, a rare Kobe Bryant Credentials PSA 10 and Dennis Rodman’s jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals. The conversation then expands into Rob’s approach to collecting, alternative assets and his plans for the World Jai Alai League.
Topics Covered
- Michael Jordan’s 1998 Finals jersey
- Hunting down historically important memorabilia
- Why Rob Gough is selling the jersey
- The existing $10 million bid
- Could the jersey reach $100 million?
- Game-worn memorabilia vs. sports cards
- Why iconic jerseys may be undervalued
- Rob’s $5.2 million Mickey Mantle purchase
- Kobe Bryant Credentials PSA 10
- Dennis Rodman’s Finals jersey
- Collecting the best of the best
- Sports memorabilia as an alternative asset
- The future of high-end collecting
- Rob’s World Jai Alai League acquisition
- The future of Jai Alai
🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode
Collector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornationCollector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstationRyan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalfordWorld Jai Alai League
Website: https://jaialai.comRob Gough
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robg/⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, follow Collector Nation, leave a 5-star review, and share it with another collector.
Zero Rookie Quarterbacks Starting: What's Driving the Card Market Now?
Football season is officially underway, and Ryan Alford and Bella are breaking down what that means for the football card market. With an unusually strange rookie quarterback class and none of the rookie QBs …
Show notes
Football season is officially underway, and Ryan Alford and Bella are breaking down what that means for the football card market. With an unusually strange rookie quarterback class and none of the rookie QBs expected to start, they discuss which players collectors should actually be watching and where value could emerge as the season develops.
Ryan and Bella also react to Drake Maye’s three-interception fourth quarter and discuss whether his current card prices accurately reflect what he has proven on the field. Ryan still believes in Maye’s long-term potential, but the question becomes whether a dip is coming and, if it does, whether collectors should buy it.
The conversation also covers Arch Manning’s exclusive Topps deal, the impact of his family name on his card market and the latest installment of Collector Nation’s Iconic Cards series featuring the 1986 Fleer #57 Michael Jordan, including Ryan’s childhood connection to one of basketball collecting’s most recognizable cards.
Topics Covered
- The start of football card season
- The rookie quarterback market
- Why no rookie QBs are starting
- Football rookies to watch
- Drake Maye’s card prices
- Drake Maye’s three-interception fourth quarter
- Is Drake Maye a buy on a dip?
- Caleb Williams vs. Drake Maye
- Arch Manning’s exclusive Topps deal
- The Manning name and card-market hype
- Bowman Football prospects
- 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan #57
- What makes the Jordan card iconic
- Ryan’s childhood Jordan collecting story
- Collector Nation app and collection tools
🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode
Collector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation_
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornationCollector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstationRyan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, follow Collector Nation, leave a 5-star review, and share it with another collector.
The Future of the Local Card Shop with Burbank Sports Cards
Burbank Sports Cards owner Rob Veres joins Ryan Alford and Brian Ludden live from The National to discuss nearly four decades of building one of the hobby’s most recognizable card shops and how the collector …
Show notes
Burbank Sports Cards owner Rob Veres joins Ryan Alford and Brian Ludden live from The National to discuss nearly four decades of building one of the hobby’s most recognizable card shops and how the collector experience continues to evolve.
Rob explains why affordable singles remain at the heart of Burbank’s business, how the store can see as many as 1,700 customers in a single day, and how technology, social media and an inventory of roughly 2.4 million different cards have transformed the way collectors shop.
The conversation also explores the explosive growth of Pokémon and TCG, changing demographics within the hobby, Burbank’s approach to AI and retail technology, building a multigenerational family business and why Rob believes the future of collecting still comes down to creating an experience people want to be part of.
Topics Covered
- The history and growth of Burbank Sports Cards
- Affordable cards and the collector experience
- 1,700 customers in a single day
- 2.4 million different cards in inventory
- Pokémon and TCG growth
- Sports cards vs. TCG
- Technology and AI in card shops
- Digital pricing and in-store kiosks
- Social media’s impact on retail
- New demographics entering the hobby
- Building a family business
- The future of local card shops
- Why Burbank will remain one destination
🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode
Collector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornationCollector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstationBurbank Sports Cards
Website: https://burbankcards.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/burbankcardsRyan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalfordBrian Ludden / Ludex
Website: https://www.ludex.com
App: https://www.ludex.com/download
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ludexapp⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, follow Collector Nation, leave a 5-star review, and share it with another collector.
Are “Junk Wax” Cards About to EXPLODE?!
Ryan Alford, Brian Ludden and Bella are back with another Collector Nation hobby roundtable covering the latest shifts in sports cards, from new technology to overlooked vintage and junk-wax-era cards.The crew …
Show notes
Ryan Alford, Brian Ludden and Bella are back with another Collector Nation hobby roundtable covering the latest shifts in sports cards, from new technology to overlooked vintage and junk-wax-era cards.
The crew breaks down Topps Instant Packs after Ryan tries the new $100 format himself, debating what digital ripping of real physical cards could mean for collectors, hobby shops, breakers, vaulting and card resale. Ryan also explains why breakers may have an overlooked advantage when major cards are pulled and buyers want immediate liquidity.
They also talk about the massive card collection Ryan recently picked up, the unexpected Peyton Manning 1/1 hiding inside it, growing interest in older inserts and pop culture cards, the iconic Bo Jackson card, football season returning and what’s next for Collector Station and Collector Nation.
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Topics Covered
- Topps Instant Packs
- The future of sports card ripping
- $100 four-card packs
- Fanatics Collect and vaulting
- Breaker buyback opportunities
- The Peyton Manning 1/1 discovery
- Buying massive card collections
- Junk-wax-era cards gaining value
- Shaq and Tim Duncan cards
- Entertainment and pop culture cards
- Collector Station’s Topps distribution
- Football Debut Patches
- Football season and Ludex scan data
- Bo Jackson’s iconic 1990 card
- Modern appreciation for junk-wax-era stars
🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode
Collector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornationArticles Mentioned
Topps Chrome Black: https://thecollectornation.com/analysis/buyback-offers-breaker-leverage
Time Duncan https://thecollectornation.com/analysis/the-shaq-spike-is-real-it-is-structural-and-the-sports-card-lessons
Shaq: https://thecollectornation.com/analysis/shaquille-oneals-card-market-has-doubled-since-mid-july-and-nobodyCollector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstationRyan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalfordBrian Ludden / Ludex
Website: https://www.ludex.com
App: https://www.ludex.com/download
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ludexapp⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, follow Collector Nation, leave a 5-star review, and share it with another collector.
Why Pristine Auction Is Betting Big on Live Selling | Jared Kavlie
Pristine Auction founder and CEO Jared Kavlie joins Ryan Alford live from The National to talk about the rapid evolution of auctions, live selling, and where he sees opportunity in today’s collectibles …
Show notes
Pristine Auction founder and CEO Jared Kavlie joins Ryan Alford live from The National to talk about the rapid evolution of auctions, live selling, and where he sees opportunity in today’s collectibles market.
Jared explains why live selling has already grown to roughly half of Pristine Auction’s sales, shares the story behind a Michael Jordan signed rookie that sold in the $40Ks, and breaks down why signed vintage cards and game-used jerseys continue to catch his attention.
They also discuss Pokémon, Trade Night at The National, Pristine’s original Days of Thunder car, faster auction formats, and what’s next for Pristine Auction as the hobby continues to evolve.
Topics Covered
- Michael Jordan signed rookie
- Growth of live selling
- Signed vintage cards
- Game-used jerseys
- Pokémon and TCG
- The original Days of Thunder car
- Trade Night at The National
- 10-second auctions
- Pristine Auction’s selling model
- What’s next for Pristine Auction
🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode
Collector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornationCollector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstationRyan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalfordJared Kavlie / Pristine Auction
Website: https://www.pristineauction.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pristineauction
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pristineauction⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, follow Collector Nation, leave a 5-star review, and share it with another collector.
Is Michael Jordan’s Game-Worn Finals Jersey Worth $15 MILLION?!
Could Michael Jordan’s 1998 Finals jersey really be worth over $15 million?Ryan Alford, Brian Ludden and Bella Shafer break down the upcoming sale, debate what the jersey is actually worth, and discuss whether …
Show notes
Could Michael Jordan’s 1998 Finals jersey really be worth over $15 million?
Ryan Alford, Brian Ludden and Bella Shafer break down the upcoming sale, debate what the jersey is actually worth, and discuss whether game-worn memorabilia is becoming an even bigger part of the collectibles market. Their predictions range from $25 million to more than $40 million.
They also take a hard look at the new Topps flagship football release, discuss whether affordable wax can still deliver an exciting ripping experience, revisit the iconic 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie, and talk modern chase cards, Frozen Fractors, Minions, SPs and SSPs.
Topics Covered- Michael Jordan’s 1998 Finals jersey
- The $100 million valuation debate
- Game-worn memorabilia vs. cards
- Topps flagship football
- Hit rates and affordable wax
- 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr.
- Kyrie Irving Frozen Fractor
- Modern inserts and chase cards
- SP/SSP scarcity
- Collector Station live selling
Check out Pristine Auction and use code NATION at PristineAuction.com and you'll knock $20 off your first win.
🔗 Links Mentioned in This EpisodeCollector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornationCollector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstationRyan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalfordBrian Ludden / Ludex
Website: https://www.ludex.com
App: https://www.ludex.com/download
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ludexapp⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, follow Collector Nation, leave a 5-star review, and share it with another collector.
How Do You Prove a Jersey Is Game-Worn? Photo Matching Explained
Barry Meisel has spent nearly three decades helping transform game-worn memorabilia into one of the most fascinating categories in collecting.Live from The National, Barry joins Ryan Alford and Brian Ludden to …
Show notes
Barry Meisel has spent nearly three decades helping transform game-worn memorabilia into one of the most fascinating categories in collecting.
Live from The National, Barry joins Ryan Alford and Brian Ludden to share how he built MeiGray around one fundamental idea: collectors needed a way to prove that the jersey they were buying was actually worn by the athlete. He explains the forensic process behind photo-matching and shares the stories behind a Michael Jordan Finals jersey that sold for $10.091 million and another game-worn relic that reached $24.12 million.
They also discuss counterfeit memorabilia, game-worn relics in trading cards, Steph Curry and Conor McDavid equipment, and why Barry believes authenticated sports memorabilia still has significant room to grow.
Topics Covered- The origin of MeiGray
- How photo-matching works
- Michael Jordan's $10.091M Finals jersey
- The $24.12M game-worn record
- Authentication and memorabilia values
- Fighting counterfeit memorabilia
- Game-worn relic cards
- Buying your first game-worn jersey
- Steph Curry and Conor McDavid equipment
- The future of game-worn collecting
Collector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornationCollector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstationRyan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalfordBrian Ludden / Ludex
Website: https://www.ludex.com
App: https://www.ludex.com/download
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ludexappBarry Meisel / MeiGray
Website: https://www.meigray.com
Auctions: https://www.meigrayauctions.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meigrayofficial⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, follow Collector Nation, leave a 5-star review, and share it with another collector.
Why Are Some Sports Cards Worth 30X More? The Reality of Today’s Card Market
The sports card market keeps climbing, but does the value of today's cards actually make sense?Ryan Alford, Brian Ludden, and Bella Shafer break down another big week in the hobby, from record-setting sales and …
Show notes
The sports card market keeps climbing, but does the value of today's cards actually make sense?
Ryan Alford, Brian Ludden, and Bella Shafer break down another big week in the hobby, from record-setting sales and the strength of high-end cards to the growing debate over modern cards versus cards that have already survived multiple market cycles. Ryan also shares a recent product comparison that revealed nearly a 30X difference in card value, despite pulling numbered cards and an autograph from the competing product.
The crew also discusses Justin Herbert and football players they're watching, the return of Topps flagship football, Cooper Flagg, buying collections, the explosion of parallels, Collector Station's first eBay Live streams, and new Ludex features.
Topics Covered
- Sports card market prices and record sales
- Can the current hobby boom last?
- Modern cards vs. proven cards
- The surprising 30X card value difference
- Cooper Flagg and Topps Chrome Update
- Topps Signature Class Basketball
- 2026 Topps flagship football
- Justin Herbert and football cards to watch
- Buying large sports card collections
- The problem with too many parallels
- Collector Station's first eBay Live streams
- What's new at Ludex
Collector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornationCollector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstationRyan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalfordBrian Ludden / Ludex
Website: https://www.ludex.com
App: https://www.ludex.com/download
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ludexapp⭐ If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe to Collector Nation, leave a comment, and share it with another collector.
From Storage Wars to a $50M Sports Card Business | Rene Nezhoda at The National
Storage Wars star Rene Nezhoda joins Ryan Alford live from The National to talk about his journey from reality television to sports cards and building Bargain Hunter Breaks.Rene shares the story of a vintage …
Show notes
Storage Wars star Rene Nezhoda joins Ryan Alford live from The National to talk about his journey from reality television to sports cards and building Bargain Hunter Breaks.
Rene shares the story of a vintage card-filled storage unit he bought for a few thousand dollars, sold for around $25,000, and now wishes he had kept. He also discusses the rapid growth of his breaking business, the $3 million Ohtani pull, rare sealed packs, collectors vs. investors, TCG, and why he believes the collectibles industry hasn't come close to reaching its potential.
Topics Covered
- Rene's journey from Storage Wars to sports cards
- The vintage collection he regrets selling
- Bargain Hunter Breaks
- The $3 million Ohtani pull
- Rare graded and sealed packs
- Live breaking and PYTs
- Collecting vs. investing
- TCG and the future of collectibles
Collector Nation
Website: thecollectornation.com
Instagram: @thecollectornation
TikTok: @thecollectornation
YouTube: @thecollectornationCollector Station
Website: thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: @thecollectorstationRyan Alford
Website: ryanalford.com
Instagram: @ryanalford⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, follow Collector Nation, leave a 5-star review, and share it with another collector.
What Would YOU Do With the Cooper Flagg Logoman? | The Biggest Card Pull of the Year
The biggest chase in sports cards is officially over.Ryan Alford and Bella Shafer react to the pull of the Cooper Flagg Logo Man Auto and discuss what happens next. They debate the competing offers from Golden …
Show notes
The biggest chase in sports cards is officially over.
Ryan Alford and Bella Shafer react to the pull of the Cooper Flagg Logo Man Auto and discuss what happens next. They debate the competing offers from Golden, ALT, Pristine, and the Dallas Mavericks, while exploring whether selling the card is actually the best long-term decision.
The conversation also covers the explosive demand for Topps Chrome Basketball, Collector Station’s upcoming eBay Live debut, the return of Topps Pristine Baseball, on-card autos versus sticker autos, and Ryan’s latest NFL quarterback investment picks, including Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Carson Beck, and Trevor Lawrence.
cam-bella-ryan-take-02.txt
Topics Covered- Cooper Flagg Logo Man
- Golden, ALT & Pristine offers
- The future value of the card
- Collector Station on eBay Live
- Topps Pristine Baseball
- On-card autos vs. sticker autos
- NFL quarterback market
- Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels & Carson Beck
Collector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation_
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornationCollector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstationRyan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalfordCollector Creative
Website: https://collectorcreative.com⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, follow Collector Nation on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode with another collector.
The Hobby Has Outgrown Its Name | An Audio Essay from The National 2026
The National was the biggest show the hobby has ever put on. The most important thing I saw there wasn't a card.This is not our usual episode — no guest, no Friday news rundown. It's a 23-minute audio essay …
Show notes
The National was the biggest show the hobby has ever put on. The most important thing I saw there wasn't a card.
This is not our usual episode — no guest, no Friday news rundown. It's a 23-minute audio essay about something I couldn't stop turning over on the flight home: I walked past a dozen different versions of this hobby in a single afternoon, and most of them barely acknowledged each other.
Somewhere in the last five years, without any announcement, the thing we all still call "the hobby" stopped being one thing. Nobody stopped to rename it.
In this episode:
• Why the collector-versus-investor argument is over — and what replaced it
• The two floors of The National, and why they barely speak to each other
• Trade night, and the difference between paper gains and profit
• How Michael Jordan became the hobby's language of certainty
• The quiet shift from accumulating to editing a collection
• Why the next decade belongs to whoever helps collectors make sense of it
Read the written version: https://thecollectornation.com/news/the-national-didnt-change-we-did
Collector Nation is built on one idea: the hobby doesn't need more recaps, it needs interpretation. Anyone can tell you what sold and for how much. What matters is whether it means anything, and what you should do about it.
More at https://thecollectornation.com
Ryan Alford — Instagram and LinkedIn: @ryanalford
Which hobby are you actually in? Tell me in the comments — I read them.
#sportscards #thehobby #TheNational2026 #cardcollecting #pokemontcg #tradingcards
```Should You Grade With Beckett Again? The Future of Beckett | Live at The National
Beckett helped shape the modern sports card hobby—but what’s next for one of the industry’s most recognizable brands?Recorded live at The National Sports Collectors Convention, Ryan Alford and Brian Ludden …
Show notes
Beckett helped shape the modern sports card hobby—but what’s next for one of the industry’s most recognizable brands?
Recorded live at The National Sports Collectors Convention, Ryan Alford and Brian Ludden welcome Colin Hudson, General Manager of Beckett, for an in-depth conversation about the company’s future. Colin discusses Beckett’s investments in grading capacity, redesigned slabs and labels, website and app improvements, authentication, and how the company is balancing innovation with the legacy collectors have trusted for decades.
The group also explores the value of the Black Label, how Beckett is approaching AI and counterfeit detection, the challenges of scaling grading operations, and why international expansion is an important part of the company’s long-term vision. Whether you’re grading your first card or have been chasing Black Labels for years, this episode offers valuable insight into where Beckett—and the grading industry as a whole—is headed next.
Topics Covered- Beckett’s comeback strategy
- Black Label vs. PSA
- New slab and label updates
- Grading capacity & turnaround times
- AI in card grading
- Authentication & counterfeit detection
- Website and app redesign
- International expansion
- Building the future of Beckett
- The state of the grading industry
Ryan Alford
https://www.ryanalford.com/Brian Ludden
https://www.ludex.com/Colin Hudson
https://x.com/BeckettGMColinBeckett
https://www.beckett.com/Collector Nation
https://thecollectornation.com/Collector Station
https://thecollectorstation.com/Ludex
https://www.ludex.com/⭐ Enjoying Collector Nation?
Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform, leave a 5-star rating and review, and share this episode with a fellow collector. Your support helps us continue bringing you conversations with the people, companies, and innovations shaping the future of sports cards and collectibles.
The Hobby Has Outgrown Its Name | What We Learned at The National
The National Sports Collectors Convention has become much more than a card show.After an unforgettable week in Chicago, Ryan Alford, Brian Ludden, and Bella Shafer sit down to share their biggest takeaways from …
Show notes
The National Sports Collectors Convention has become much more than a card show.
After an unforgettable week in Chicago, Ryan Alford, Brian Ludden, and Bella Shafer sit down to share their biggest takeaways from this year’s event. From the growth of live selling and corporate activations to trade nights, vintage cards, and the products everyone was chasing, this conversation captures what it actually felt like to experience the hobby’s biggest week from behind the scenes.
Ryan also shares the inspiration behind his editorial, The Hobby Has Outgrown Its Name, while Brian discusses what he learned meeting with manufacturers, marketplaces, and hobby leaders throughout the week. Bella shares her perspective after attending her first National and explains why the community left such a lasting impression.
Whether you attended The National or followed along from home, this episode offers a look at where the hobby is headed—and why the next few years could be the most exciting yet.
Topics Covered- The evolution of The National
- Live breaking & marketplaces
- Trade night insights
- Jordan’s market strength
- Favorite National pickups
- Bo Jackson Battle Arena
- Corporate activations
- Vintage vs. modern collecting
- Behind the scenes at the Ludex Lounge
- Predictions for next year’s National
Collector Nation
- Website: https://thecollectornation.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornation
Collector Station
- Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstation
Ryan Alford
- Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford
Brian Ludden / Ludex
- Website: https://www.ludex.com
- App: https://www.ludex.com/download
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ludexapp
Top 10 Cards of the Week
Sports Card Highlights
https://www.youtube.com/@SportsCardHighlights⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, follow Collector Nation, leave a 5-star review, and share it with another collector.
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