Is PSA intentionally controlling card populations? And does Fanatics have a conflict of interest when it manufactures the biggest chase cards in the hobby AND operates a marketplace that can sell them?

On this episode of the Collector Investor Podcast, we dive into two major sports card hobby debates.

First, we discuss Fanatics and the massive Cooper Flagg chase card. When a huge card is pulled as a redemption, Fanatics is involved in getting that card to the collector — but it also has its own selling platform. Does that give Fanatics an unfair advantage when it comes to landing some of the biggest cards in the hobby?

Then we get into PSA grading.

Has PSA become significantly tougher on cards from the 1980s and 1990s? Are newer graders judging older card stock against modern and ultra-modern standards? And the biggest question of all: could PSA be intentionally controlling populations on valuable cards?

We also discuss:

🔥 Fanatics and the Cooper Flagg chase card

🔥 Fanatics Collect and potential conflicts of interest

🔥 Why PSA seems tougher on 1980s & 1990s cards

🔥 PSA grading consistency

🔥 The theory of PSA "pop control"

🔥 Why high-value cards may receive more scrutiny

🔥 The lack of transparency in card grading

🔥 Old-label PSA slabs vs. newer PSA slabs

🔥 How we evaluate vintage cards in older PSA holders

🔥 Whether a new grading company could challenge PSA

🔥 Affordable cards of some of the greatest athletes of all time

PLUS — we pick affordable or undervalued cards for hobby GOATs including:

⚾ Mickey Mantle

🏀 Michael Jordan

⚾ Babe Ruth

⚾ Ken Griffey Jr.

⚾ Jackie Robinson

🏈 Tom Brady

🏀 Kobe Bryant

⚾ Ty Cobb

⚾ Shohei Ohtani

Which debate are you more concerned about: Fanatics' growing influence over the sports card hobby or PSA's grading standards?

And do YOU believe PSA population control is real?

TouTube Chapters

4:21 Chris’ “International YouTube Star” Moment

6:15 Fanatics Conflict of Interest?

14:31 Is PSA Too Strict on Older Cards?

24:11 Is PSA Controlling Populations?

28:24 Could a New Grading Company Compete?

35:48 Buying Old-Label PSA Vintage Cards

41:23 Affordable Cards of Hobby GOATs

42:28 Mickey Mantle

44:29 Michael Jordan

46:30 Babe Ruth

48:18 Ken Griffey Jr.

49:42 Jackie Robinson

51:00 Tom Brady

53:05 Kobe Bryant

55:00 Ty Cobb

58:24 Shohei Ohtani

1:00:25 Who Had the Best Card Picks?

Drop your opinion in the comments!

👍 LIKE the video if you enjoy sports card hobby discussions

💬 COMMENT with your take

🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more sports card collecting, grading, buying, selling, and hobby news

If you're interested in reaching out to Chris and Jeremy to sell your collection, you can email them directly at Chrisandtexassnowman@gmail.com

If you would like to consign your collection or bid in the next CIA auction, you can visit- https://collectorinvestorauctions.com

Check out Chris YouTube Channel- @collectorinvestordealer

VCP for 2 Weeks FREE- http://thevcp.com/?promo=CIACARDS

Disclaimer: This channel is for entertainment and hobby discussion purposes only. Nothing discussed should be considered financial or investment advice.

#SportsCards #PSAGrading #PSA #Fanatics #CardCollecting #BaseballCards #SportsCardHobby #VintageCards #TradingCards #MichaelJordan #MickeyMantle #TomBrady #ShoheiOhtani

In this episode of the Collector Investor Podcast, we dive into some of the biggest conversations happening in the sports card hobby right now!

Can one social media post completely change the value of a sports card? We look at the sudden explosion of the 1992 Stadium Club Members Choice Ken Griffey Jr., a card that went from just a few dollars raw to around $25 in a matter of days. We also discuss Gary Vee’s influence on Marvel cards, rising prices on ’90s inserts, and whether influencers have too much power over the sports card market.

Then we get into PSA.

Turnaround times are getting longer, grading is getting more expensive, and Jeremy shares one of the WORST PSA submissions of his career — nearly 190 cards with ZERO PSA 10s!

Are PSA graders becoming stricter? Are older cards being judged against modern-card standards? And what could PSA bulk grading cost when it finally returns?

We also answer viewer questions about grading Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson cards from 1996 SkyBox E-X2000, debate factory sets vs. sealed wax, and share lessons learned from buying and reselling thousands of sports card collections.

⏱️ Chapters

2:39 Collector Investor Auctions Selling at Card Shows

6:29 Social Media's Influence on Card Prices

18:10 PSA Turnaround Times Get Even Longer

29:07 Should You Grade Kobe, Jordan & Iverson?

37:47 Breaking News on PSA Bulk

41:36 Factory Sets vs. Sealed Wax

43:31 Producer's Corner: Tips for Buying Card Collections

If you collect, buy, sell, grade or invest in sports cards, let us know your take in the comments:

Are influencers having TOO MUCH impact on sports card prices?

And do you think PSA has become harder on grades?

Subscribe for more sports card hobby news, collecting discussions, grading talk, market analysis, card show coverage and vintage sports cards from the Collector Investor Podcast.

If you're interested in reaching out to Chris and Jeremy to sell your collection, you can email them directly at Chrisandtexassnowman@gmail.com

If you would like to consign your collection or bid in the next CIA auction, you can visit- https://collectorinvestorauctions.com

Check out Chris YouTube Channel- @collectorinvestordealer

VCP for 2 Weeks FREE- http://thevcp.com/?promo=CIACARDS Disclaimer:

This channel is for entertainment and hobby discussion purposes only. Nothing discussed should be considered financial or investment advice.

#SportsCards #SportsCardCollecting #psa #CardCollecting #SportsCardHobby #TheHobby #BaseballCards #BasketballCards #TradingCards #SportsCardPodcast #SportsCardNews #SportsCardMarket #SportsCardPrices #CardCollector #CardCollectors #CardInvesting #SportsCardInvesting #PSA #PSAGrading #PSACards #CardGrading #GradedCards #PSA10 #KenGriffeyJr #KenGriffeyJrCards #MichaelJordanCards #KobeBryantCards #AllenIversonCards #90sSportsCards #90sInserts #VintageCards #VintageSportsCards #ModernSportsCards #MarvelCards #NonSportsCards #GaryVee #CardMarket #CardPrices #TradingCardMarket #SportsCardCommunity #HobbyNews #CardShow #CardShows #BuyingCards #SellingCards #CardCollection #SportsCardCollection #CollectorInvestor #CollectorInvestorPodcast #SportsCardYouTube #BaseballCardCollector #influencer #bad #thehobby

The sports card market is moving FAST — and this week we’re breaking down some of the biggest stories happening in the hobby.

We start with an incredible vintage collection of roughly 1,000 cards originally opened in 1950 and 1951, including a beautiful raw 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle rookie card that survived all these years.

Then we celebrate a huge milestone as Collector Investor Auctions breaks the $1 MILLION mark for the first time!

But the market discussion gets even crazier when we look at Kobe Bryant card prices. His 1996 Topps Chrome rookie market has exploded, leading to some big questions: Is Kobe still going higher? Is a correction coming? And is now the time to buy, hold, or sell?

We also discuss Shohei Ohtani, Michael Jordan, the changing seasonality of the sports card market, vintage set building, the growing gambling-like nature of modern boxes and breaks, and whether The National has officially outgrown the Rosemont Convention Center.

Finally, we tackle one of the biggest questions collectors are asking right now: Is everything overpriced? We discuss areas that may still have room to grow, including vintage non-sports cards and soccer.

Whether you collect vintage baseball, basketball, modern cards, non-sports, or just enjoy following the sports card market, there’s plenty to debate in this episode.

Chapters

0:58 Incredible 1950–51 Vintage Collection

4:55 Collector Investor Auctions Breaks $1 MILLION

6:01 The 1952 Topps Mantle Auction Result

7:30 PSA vs SGC vs MBA vs Beckett vs CGC

9:09 The Kobe Bryant Card Market Is EXPLODING

15:16 Is Sports Card Seasonality Disappearing?

20:12 Best Way to Build a Vintage Card Set

26:50 Are Sports Cards Becoming Gambling?

29:20 Has The National Outgrown Chicago?

36:53 Is the Sports Card Hobby Overpriced?

41:05 What Cards Are Still Undervalued?

If you're interested in reaching out to Chris and Jeremy to sell your collection, you can email them directly at Chrisandtexassnowman@gmail.com

If you would like to consign your collection or bid in the next CIA auction, you can visit- https://collectorinvestorauctions.com

Check out Chris YouTube Channel- @collectorinvestordealer VCP for 2 Weeks FREE- http://thevcp.com/?promo=CIACARDS Disclaimer:

This channel is for entertainment and hobby discussion purposes only. Nothing discussed should be considered financial or investment advice.

👍 Like the video

💬 Tell us what YOU think is undervalued right now

🔔 Subscribe to Collector Investor for more sports card market talk, collecting stories, card shows and hobby news!

#SportsCards #CardCollecting #KobeBryant #MickeyMantle #VintageCards #SportsCardInvesting #BaseballCards #BasketballCards #TheHobby #CollectorInvestor

PSA’s backlog is getting BIGGER — not smaller. What does that mean for sports card collectors? And with Michael Jordan cards exploding in popularity, are Star Jordan cards a BUY or a SELL?

In this episode of the Collector Investor Podcast, Theo and Jeremy recap their experience as vendors at The National Sports Collectors Convention and break down some of the biggest stories coming out of the show.

PSA was absolutely slammed at The National, with collectors racing to get into submission lines before PSA ultimately stopped accepting submissions. We discuss PSA’s reported 12.4 MILLION card backlog, grading turnaround times, pricing, grading consistency, and what could happen when lower-priced submission tiers reopen.

Then we turn to Michael Jordan. Jordan cards were one of the hottest areas of The National, but should collectors be looking beyond the famous 1986 Fleer and toward his Star Company cards? We discuss rarity, population, the Star vs. Fleer debate, and which Jordan cards we personally prefer.

We also talk about the National venue, the YouTube community get-together, answer viewer questions, and preview some of the cards in the upcoming Collector Investor Auctions August Auction.

Card & Comics YT Channel: @cardsandcomics

Chapters

2:58 Jeremy’s Incredible T206 Drum Back Pickup

6:43 The National Recap

10:06 Has The National Outgrown the Venue?

18:19 PSA at The National 20:46 PSA’s Backlog Hits 12.4 MILLION Cards

28:12 Special Guest: Rabbit Hole Auctions

36:18 Star Jordan vs. 1986 Fleer — Which Would You Buy?

45:10 Viewer Questions

45:17 Sell Yordan Alvarez Cards or Hold?

50:26 Sports Card Lightning Round

55:21 Collector Investor Auctions August Preview

Check out Rabbit Hole Auctions- https://rabbitholeauctions.com/

Use code: CIA to get $50 off when you are a new register

Check out Card Colosseum: https://cardcolosseum.com/

Comment Below: Would you rather own a Michael Jordan Star card or an 1986 Fleer rookie? And what do you think PSA needs to do about its backlog? Let us know in the comments!

If you enjoy sports card collecting, vintage cards, grading, auctions and hobby discussion, LIKE the video and SUBSCRIBE to the Collector Investor Podcast.

If you're interested in reaching out to Chris and Jeremy to sell your collection, you can email them directly at Chrisandtexassnowman@gmail.com

If you would like to consign your collection or bid in the next CIA auction, you can visit- https://collectorinvestorauctions.com

Check out Chris YouTube Channel- @collectorinvestordealer

VCP for 2 Weeks FREE- http://thevcp.com/?promo=CIACARDS

Disclaimer: This channel is for entertainment and hobby discussion purposes only. Nothing discussed should be considered financial or investment advice.

#SportsCards #MichaelJordan #PSA #CardCollecting #TheNational #SportsCardInvesting #BaseballCards #BasketballCards #VintageCards #TradingCards #CardGrading #CollectorInvestor

The National Sports Collectors Convention is finally here, and we're breaking down everything collectors need to know before hitting the show floor!

In this episode of the Collector Investor Podcast, we discuss:

🔥 Why the Michael Jordan market is exploding again

🔥 Is the 1986 Fleer Jordan becoming impossible to own?

🔥 Fanatics buying The National...fact or fiction?

🔥 Could Fanatics eventually buy CGC?

🔥 Our favorite Questions of the Day from Junk Wax Rookie

🔥 How to negotiate with dealers when they are overpriced

🔥 Should you trade cards or just bring cash?

🔥 Booth 913 at The National—come say hello!

Whether you're attending The National or watching from home, this episode is packed with hobby insights, market analysis, and practical buying strategies.

📍 Visit Collector Investor Auctions at Booth 913!

✅ Drop Off Consignments

✅ Sell Your Cards

✅ Preview Upcoming Auctions

✅ Meet the Texas Snowman!

🎉 Thursday YouTube Meetup Shoeless Joe's 6:00 PM – Midnight Tell them you're there for the YouTube Gathering!

Chapters

00:00 Intro & National Week Begins

05:20 Michael Jordan Market Is Exploding

10:20 Why PSA 1 Jordans Are Skyrocketing

13:25 Could Fanatics Buy The National?

16:55 Could Fanatics Buy CGC?

18:15 Junk Wax Rookie Lightning Round

25:45 How To Negotiate With Dealers

32:45 Should You Trade Cards At Shows?

👇 Let us know in the comments: Do you think the Jordan market keeps climbing or is a correction coming?

👍 Like the video

🔔 Subscribe for weekly hobby discussions

💬 Leave your thoughts below!

If you're interested in reaching out to Chris and Jeremy to sell your collection, you can email them directly at Chrisandtexassnowman@gmail.com

If you would like to consign your collection or bid in the next CIA auction, you can visit- https://collectorinvestorauctions.com

Check out Chris YouTube Channel- @collectorinvestordealer

VCP for 2 Weeks FREE- http://thevcp.com/?promo=CIACARDS

#SportsCards #TheNational #MichaelJordan #CollectorInvestor #SportsCardPodcast #SportsCardCollecting #SportsCardInvesting #Fanatics #PSAGrading #VintageCards #CardShow #SportsCardMarket #T206 #BasketballCards #BaseballCards

Is the current grading slowdown actually GOOD for the sports card hobby?

In this episode of the Collector Investor Podcast, Chris and Jeremy (The Texas Snowman) dive into one of the hottest debates in the hobby.

We discuss:

✅ Why grading costs and turnaround times may actually help the hobby

✅ Dallas Card Show vs Fanatics Fest vs West Coast Card Show

✅ Will Fanatics Fest ever replace The National?

✅ Should collectors stop grading so many modern cards?

✅ Selling raw cards vs grading in today's market

✅ Tips for attending The National Sports Collectors Convention

✅ Listener Q&A about collecting a rare 1911 M116 Sporting Life set

Whether you're a vintage collector, modern investor, dealer, or hobby enthusiast, this episode covers some of the biggest topics heading into The National.

👇 Let us know in the comments: Is the grading slowdown GOOD or BAD for the hobby?

🔔 Subscribe for weekly sports card discussions, hobby news, grading talk, collecting strategies, auction insights, and interviews.

📍Visit us at The National Booth #913

#sportscards #psa #grading #thenational #fanaticsfest #dallascardshow #vintagecards #sportscardinvesting #collectorinvestorpodcast

⏱ Chapters

01:25 Three Major Card Shows on the Same Weekend

07:10 Fanatics Fest vs Traditional Card Shows

10:45 Chris' Hot Take: Grading Slowdown is GOOD?

21:15 Viewer Question: Finding 1911 M116 Sporting Life Cards

26:45 First-Time National Tips

If you're interested in reaching out to Chris and Jeremy to sell your collection, you can email them directly at Chrisandtexassnowman@gmail.com

If you would like to consign your collection or bid in the next CIA auction, you can visit- https://collectorinvestorauctions.com

Check out Chris YouTube Channel- @collectorinvestordealer

VCP for 2 Weeks FREE- http://thevcp.com/?promo=CIACARDS

The National is almost here! In this episode of the Collector Investor Podcast, Chris and Jeremy open discussing the National Sports Collectors Convention, including the Collector Investor Auctions booth and the Thursday Night YouTube Meet-Up.Then we tackle one of the biggest questions in today's hobby: Is the sports card hobby pricing out the middle-class collector?

Chapters

00:43 National Sports Collectors Convention Preview

02:49 Is the Sports Card Hobby Losing the Middle Class?

11:24 MBA Bronze Diamond Sticker Explained

17:26 Where Will the Hobby Be in 20 Years?

25:05 10-Year Non-Sports Card Investment Snake Draft

38:26 Final Thoughts & National Meet-Up Reminder

We also discuss:

Are card shows set up for the average collector or just the high-end collector? MBA's new Bronze Diamond designation—does it actually add value?

Where will the hobby be 20 years from now?

Draft of the Day- What are the best non-sport cards?

👇 We'd love to hear from you! Do you think the sports card hobby is becoming too expensive for the average collector? Leave your thoughts in the comments!

📍 Visit Collector Investor Auctions at Booth #913 during The National!

🍻 YouTube Meet-Up Thursday

• 6 PM Shoeless Joe's

👍 If you enjoy sports cards, investing, vintage cards, hobby news, grading discussions, auctions, and collector debates, be sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode.

If you're interested in reaching out to Chris and Jeremy to sell your collection, you can email them directly at Chrisandtexassnowman@gmail.com

If you would like to consign your collection or bid in the next CIA auction, you can visit- https://collectorinvestorauctions.com

Check out Chris YouTube Channel- @collectorinvestordealer

VCP for 2 Weeks FREE- http://thevcp.com/?promo=CIACARDS

Credit to Ballpark Alex on IG- @ballpark_alex

Just a heads up: We love talking sports cards, collecting, and the hobby—but we're not financial advisors. Everything discussed on this channel is simply our personal opinions and is intended for fun and conversation. Buy what you love, collect what makes you happy, and always do your own research.

#SportsCards #TheNational #Collector #Investor #CardCollecting #VintageCards #SportsCardInvesting #PSA #SGC #TradingCards #CardHobby #nonsport

Is PSA charging TOO MUCH at The National? Are we officially in Junk Wax Era 2.0?

In this episode of the Collector Investor Podcast, Jeremy (@Texas Snowman) and Chris Sewall break down PSA's shocking on-site grading prices for the National Sports Collectors Convention and debate whether collectors will actually pay them. They also discuss whether today's hobby has become Junk Wax Era 2.0, answer viewer questions, and share an incredible behind-the-scenes story about buying a legendary T206 collection that changed Jeremy's collecting journey forever.

If you collect vintage, modern, pre-war, or invest in sports cards, this episode is packed with hobby insights, market analysis, and collecting stories.

👇 Tell us in the comments: Would you pay $230+ (or even $12,000) for on-site grading? Is today's hobby really becoming Junk Wax Era 2.0?

⏱️ Chapters

00:26 Intro & National Updates

01:48 CIA Auction Highlights

06:05 PSA National Pricing Discussion Begins

18:53 Junk Wax Era 2.0?

26:20 Optimal way to consign cards- big lots vs small lots

32:26 What Would the Gretzky Wagner Sell For Today?

33:53 Producer's Corner: Buying a Legendary T206 Collection

If you're interested in reaching out to Chris and Jeremy to sell your collection, you can email them directly at Chrisandtexassnowman@gmail.com

If you would like to consign your collection or bid in the next CIA auction, you can visit- https://collectorinvestorauctions.com

Check out Chris YouTube Channel- @collectorinvestordealer

VCP for 2 Weeks FREE- http://thevcp.com/?promo=CIACARDS Showed a clip from- @NEO_Cards_Comics

👍 If you enjoyed this episode: Like the video Subscribe for weekly sports card discussions Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode

#SportsCards #PSA #TheNational #CollectorInvestor #TradingCards #CardCollector #VintageCards #SportsCardInvesting #T206 #BaseballCards #JunkWaxEra #CardGrading