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!

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

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

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