In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope, I break down why Beckett is getting flooded with cards, why they’re still behind PSA, and the 5 concrete moves they could make to actually turn it around. We talk grading scale tweaks, tech upgrades, transparency, turnaround times, and why creators might be the secret weapon. Drop your Beckett hot takes in the comments.

Timestamps

• 0:00 – What up chicken nuggets + why Beckett is at a crossroads
• 0:42 – PC Sports Cards stops taking Beckett subs: what that really means
• 2:55 – Who’s grading what: PSA, CGC, SGC, Beckett by the numbers
• 7:14 – Fix #1: No more BGS 9.5s and how to convert them to 10s
• 9:29 – Fix #2: Modernize the app, site, and slabs
• 10:52 – Fix #3: Go all in on transparency with scans, AI, and QR codes
• 14:01 – Fix #4: Turnaround times and why speed is Beckett’s biggest opportunity
• 15:34 – Fix #5: Partner with trusted creators, not just flippers
• 21:10 – Message to Beckett and shoutout to Chicken Nugget Nation

• Evan Hastie
• Cody Bushell
• Josh Stewart
• Zach LaFountain

Shill bidding, “defensive bidding,” fake comps, all that icky stuff has been flying around the hobby. In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope, I break down what actually happened, what shill bidding is in plain language, how to spot it on eBay, and why it hurts every honest collector, not just the buyer and seller in that one auction.

I wrap with three big takeaways for the hobby and my personal opinion on how we handle auctions without nuking trust.

Timestamps:

• 0:00 What up chicken nuggets + where I’ve been
• 0:36 Quick life update, dad’s surgery and coaching the kids
• 1:04 What kicked off the “defensive bidding” drama
• 1:37 What they meant by “defensive bidding” in that convo
• 2:54 OK, so what actually is shill bidding?
• 3:44 Real hobby examples of obvious shill bidding
• 4:21 How to spot shill bids on eBay in the wild
• 5:02 Is it illegal or just gross? The nuance
• 5:25 Why fake comps wreck the entire market, not just one auction
• 7:14 The risk you take when you list on auction
• 8:43 Why canceling low auctions is also trash behavior
• 9:44 Thought #1, shill bidding breaks the number one rule, trust
• 10:11 Thought #2, transparency is the new currency in the hobby
• 11:10 Thought #3, how auctions might have to evolve
• 11:45 My personal experience, temptations, and why I don’t do it
• 13:02 Advice if you hate watching your card tank at auction
• 13:45 Closing thoughts, Disney, Chicken Nugget Nation, and giveaways

CTA line you can add at the bottom:

• Josh Stewart
• Zach LaFountain

The 1914 Babe Ruth Baltimore News just sold for $4.02M—about $3M less than last year’s $7.2M result. Is the hobby crashing? Nope. I walk through two-bidder auction dynamics, liquidity, macro vibes, why rarity + narrative still matter, and how this compares to modern grails (MJ/LeBron/Kobe). Quick story, four takeaways, and what it might mean for vintage vs. modern over the next decade.

Timestamps
0:00 Cold open — what sold, where, and the $3M gap
0:45 Quick story: 1914 Baltimore News Ruth (19-year-old minor-leaguer)
1:20 Why auctions drop: the two-bidder reality (not 100k voters)
3:40 Takeaway #1: Auction competition drives big swings
4:45 Takeaway #2: Liquidity & macro conditions matter
6:35 Takeaway #3: Narrative + rarity still rule (Ruth’s historical weight)
8:50 Takeaway #4: This isn’t hobby doom — one sale ≠ the market
10:40 Modern heat check: MJ/Kobe/LeBron/Ohtani vs vintage over time
12:30 Wrap + what I’m watching next (and Chicken Nugget Nation)

• Zach LaFountain

In the final part of our 3-part Hobby Awards breakdown, we dive into the last—and spiciest—categories including Best Sold Memorabilia, Grading Company of the Year, and Creator of the Year. There’s drama, there’s emotion, and there’s Paul Skenes catching strays. Buckle up, nuggets.

Timestamps:
0:00 – What’s Up, Chicken Nuggets
1:10 – The Final 6 Hobby Award Categories
2:00 – Best Sold Memorabilia Debate
5:00 – Babe Ruth vs. Kobe’s Rookie Jersey vs. MJ/Kobe Logo Man
7:30 – Why I Can’t Vote for Paul Skenes 😬
10:10 – Collectibles Executive of the Year Pick
13:40 – Best Media Platform (SCN Shoutout!)
17:15 – Grading Company Drama: SGC, PSA, TAG
21:00 – Creator of the Year: Kyle vs. Josh vs. Mojo
25:00 – Final Thoughts + Chicken Nugget Nation Drop

• Zach LaFountain

Tyler dives into the next 5 categories of the 2025 Hobby Awards, including Best Auction House, Non-Sport Product, and Innovation of the Year. From Fanatics Collect to Gary Vee’s VeeFriends, we talk through what’s hot, what’s hype, and what’s just hilarious.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro & hobby reminder (“A compliment to one isn’t an insult to another”)

2:15 Best Auction House: Fanatics Collect vs. Golden vs. Heritage

5:00 Gary Vee & the rise of VeeFriends in the hobby

7:00 Innovation of the Year: Lux vs. ColleX showdown

9:40 Sneak peek at next episode & free giveaway for Chicken Nugget Nation

Join the drop: SportsCardsAreDope.com

Vote here: TheHobbyAwards.com

• Zach LaFountain

Tyler dives into the first-ever Hobby Awards hosted by Mantle and breaks down his votes across five key categories—from best breaking platform to best hobby shop. Expect hot takes, personal experiences, and why Tyson Beck and Card Vault might just be redefining the hobby.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro: Mantle & the Hobby Awards Explained
01:10 – Ghostrite trophies & genius branding
02:50 – Best Breaking Platform (eBay vs Whatnot vs Fanatics Live)
05:00 – Best Custom Art Card Artist (Why Tyson Beck wins my vote)
07:30 – Best Collectible Show (Fanatics Fest vs The National)
09:50 – Best Marketplace (eBay’s dominance and the rising contenders)
12:00 – Best Hobby Shop (Card Vault, Burbank, and the future of retail)
17:50 – Final thoughts & how to join Chicken Nugget Nation

• Zach LaFountain

http://sportscardsaredope.com
I bought four memorabilia pieces (MJ, Bulls, Team USA, and an Ali glove) for $650—knowing there’s an ~80% chance they’re fake. Here’s why I did it anyway, how I value uncertified items, and five red flags to spot forged autographs (even when a slab says “authentic”).

Timestamps
0:00 Welcome, context: why I bought likely-fake memorabilia
0:53 The haul: Ali glove; Bulls 3-Peat hat; Team USA practice jersey; MJ White Sox mesh
2:35 Seller backstory + pricing logic vs certified comps
4:45 Why certification isn’t bulletproof (PSA/JSA examples, human judgment)
7:40 My two reasons for buying anyway (aesthetics + vintage value)
9:45 Community poll results on “does it look legit?”
11:40 5 Red Flags: no COA; weak backstory; too much inventory; identical pen pressure; ignoring signature evolution
15:30 Two case studies: PSA-slabbed Kobe I don’t trust vs. a “bad” Brady auto I know is real
19:00 Final mindset: buy the story, not the sticker; price for the risk

• Zach LaFountain

https://www.sportscardsaredope.com
PSA upcharges are back in the spotlight after Geoff Wilson (Sports Card Investor) shared a $4k upcharge email. Is PSA “creating” value—or just charging more after the grade? I break down both sides (including Ballpark Cards Alex’s response), read PSA’s policy, and give my take on what’s fair, what isn’t, and how collectors should play it.

Timestamps
0:00 Cold open: why this PSA upcharge post exploded
0:44 The email: PSA re-tiering & $4,058.99 upcharge
1:56 Geoff’s stance: “I welcome these fees” (value created?)
3:05 The pushback: Ballpark Cards Alex’s counter-argument
4:28 Hooks vs. tone: why phrasing matters for the hobby
5:10 PSA policy in plain English (re-tiering, decline = raw return)
6:15 Pro-PSA arguments (liability, guarantee, pricing by value)
7:12 Anti-PSA arguments (service didn’t change, appraisal analogy)
9:10 My position: comps, trust, and market dominance vs. customer value
12:10 SGC’s momentum, acquisition headwinds, and the “race with rocks”
14:20 What collectors can do next (risk control & platform choices)

• Zach LaFountain