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 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