Grading isn’t just about chasing 10s. In this episode, I break down five real reasons I grade cards—and the #1 reason has nothing to do with money. We talk PSA offers, “nines are fine,” how grading reframes comps on rare cards, and why the story inside the slab matters most.

Timestamps

• 0:00 Cold open: “It’s not the money”
• 0:32 Reason #1: Value bump (when 10s matter, why 9s still work)
• 3:39 Rare cards & comps: changing the conversation
• 7:39 Reason #2: Trackable value (Card Ladder, clarity)
• 9:00 Reason #3: Protection (locking the card’s condition)
• 10:00 Reason #4: The flex (why slabs signal)
• 10:36 Reason #5 (The Big One): Story inside the slab
• 14:45 Case studies: Kobe EX, Steph RC /999 (PSA 1!), Dominique auto
• 17:56 Where I’m grading next (PSA, SGC, Beckett checklists)
• 18:40 Wrap: Why do YOU grade?

Topps (Fanatics) is officially rolling out NBA-licensed cards for 2025–26. I break down what this means for Panini, Cooper Flagg, “First Cards,” potential LeBron/MJ autograph implications, overproduction fears, and how to play the market without getting wrecked. Drop your take below and let’s build smarter as a community.

Timestamps

• 0:00 – Welcome, what’s dropping, why it matters
• 0:42 – How Fanatics/Topps got here (and Panini’s run since 2009)
• 1:32 – First product: Topps Basketball (First Cards, All-Kings, Cooper Flagg autos)
• 2:49 – Could LeBron/MJ autos be possible down the line?
• 4:56 – Why licensed photography/design matters (nostalgia + cleaner look)
• 6:58 – Three big takeaways (nostalgia stakes, competition, first-edition impact)
• 10:56 – How Panini can still compete (case hits, design)
• 13:32 – Overproduction fears, allocation, and smart supply
• 16:42 – Why this could grow the hobby (onboarding with nostalgia)
• 18:40 – Community call: educate new collectors, avoid bad beats

In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope, Tyler breaks down Rick Probstein’s shocking departure from eBay after 20+ years and nearly a billion dollars in card sales. He’s launching a new auction platform, Snype, with lower fees and community features—but will it work, or repeat past failures like Bidtopia and YardSeller?

Timestamps:
0:52 – Who is Rick Probstein?
2:20 – What Snype promises (fees, shipping, chat)
4:05 – Lessons from failed eBay spinoffs
7:10 – Why sellers may come, but buyers may not
12:00 – The problem of market fragmentation
15:50 – Community + creators = key to success?
20:00 – The Yahoo Screen lesson: why experience matters
22:50 – Final thoughts: Can Snype survive?