Ryan Alford, Brian Ludden & Brandon Steiner Talk What’s Wrong With Sports Coverage Today
SUMMARY
In this episode of the "Trading Cards and Collectibles" podcast, hosts Ryan Alford and Brian Ludden welcome industry veteran Brandon Steiner. Together, they discuss the current sports landscape, the entertainment value of NFL broadcasts, and the impact of authentic commentary. Brandon shares insights on autograph quality and market trends, while Brian highlights rising stars in the collectibles market. The episode also explores collaboration within the industry, announces a giveaway winner, and previews upcoming projects. The conversation blends sports analysis, hobby advice, and personal stories, offering listeners a lively and informative look at the intersection of sports and collecting.
TAKEAWAYS
Current state of various sports seasons, particularly football and baseball
NFL's business strategies and entertainment value
Importance of quality commentary and storytelling in sports broadcasting
Discussion on the collectibles hobby, focusing on autograph quality
Market trends in trading cards and rising player values
Collaborative spirit within the collectibles industry
Personal anecdotes related to sports engagement and collectibles
The significance of winning and success in sports beyond championships
Community engagement through giveaways and upcoming projects
Emphasis on authenticity and integrity in both sports and collectibles
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34:57
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34:57
Sports Card Investing Tips That Actually Work
SUMMARY
In this episode of "Trading Cards and Collectibles," host Ryan Alford welcomes Kunal Ahuja, founder of Sports Card Invest. They discuss the evolution of the sports card market, from the pandemic boom to recent, more sustainable growth. Kunal shares insights on balancing high-end and accessible products, the unique appeal of Pokémon cards, and smart investing strategies like buying undervalued players. The conversation highlights the importance of passion, market trends, and community in the collectibles hobby. Listeners also learn where to follow Kunal and Ryan for more tips and updates.
TAKEAWAYS
Kunal Ahuja's background in sports card collecting and investing.
The impact of the pandemic on the sports card market.
The evolution of the sports card market over the past 18 months.
The shift from speculative buying to more calculated investments in high-end cards.
The role of international markets in the growth of sports card collecting.
The importance of balancing scarcity and accessibility in card products.
The differences between the sports card and Pokémon collecting communities.
The challenges faced by companies like Topps in creating popular card inserts.
Investment strategies for collectors, including the importance of market trends.
The significance of patience and strategic buying in card investing.
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39:59
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39:59
Why Digital Collectibles Are The New Sports Card Boom (NBA Top Shot + Ludex)
SUMMARY
In this episode of the Trading Cards and Collectibles Podcast, host Ryan Alford welcomes Jacob Eisenberg from NBA Top Shot to discuss the latest digital rookie drops, including highly anticipated one-of-one moments and exclusive player partnerships. They explore the synergy between physical and digital collecting, highlight market growth, and share insights on recent sports events like the Dodgers’ World Series win. Co-host Brian Ludden joins to analyze trends and app data, while listeners are invited to participate in a giveaway and share their favorite collectibles. The episode blends hobby news, market analysis, and community engagement.
TAKEAWAYS
The evolving landscape of collectibles, both physical and digital.
The upcoming NBA Top Shot release featuring rookie digital collectibles.
The significance of scarcity in digital collectibles and its impact on value.
Market trends in the collectibles industry, including sales growth statistics.
The role of technology in tracking collector behavior and market trends.
The impact of major sports events, like the World Series, on collector engagement.
The relationship between digital and physical trading cards and their coexistence.
Insights into specific rookie players and their collectible moments.
The importance of community and engagement in the collectibles space.
A listener giveaway related to collectibles and engagement with the audience.
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38:34
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38:34
Mike Baker's "Card Fact" Exposed: The Secret Data Big Graders WON'T Show You
SUMMARY
In this episode of the "Trading Cards and Collectibles" podcast, host Ryan Alford interviews Mike Baker, a pioneer in card grading and founder of MBA Diamond. Baker discusses his early days at PSA, the challenges of building trust in third-party grading, and how MBA Diamond is innovating with features like heat maps and grader notes for greater transparency. The conversation covers the evolution of the hobby, the importance of transparency, and MBA Diamond’s focus on vintage cards, as well as advice for collectors and graders.
TAKEAWAYS
Mike Baker's early experiences at PSA and the transition from coin grading to trading card grading.
The evolution of the grading process and its impact on the collectibles market.
Challenges in building trust with collectors regarding the grading of their cards.
The founding and launch of MBA Diamond as a new grading service.
The introduction of tiered certification stickers to differentiate card quality.
The emphasis on transparency in grading through features like grader notes and heat maps.
The current state of MBA Diamond and its partnerships with various platforms.
Future plans for MBA Diamond, including scaling operations and enhancing transparency.
The types of cards being graded, focusing primarily on vintage cards.
The potential for collaboration and innovation within the grading industry.
Plus — exciting news! Brian’s company, Ludex, is nominated for Innovation of the Year at The Hobby Awards. Show your support by voting here 👇🗳️ Vote for Ludex: https://thehobbyawards.onmantel.com/innovation-of-the-year
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37:14
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37:14
Is Whatnot’s $12B Valuation Real or Hype? Ryan and Brian Break It Down
SUMMARY
In this episode of the "Trading Cards and Collectibles" podcast, hosts Ryan Alford and Brian Ludden discuss the latest trends in the hobby, including rising football card values, new basketball releases, and the impact of live streaming platform Whatnot’s $225 million funding round. They recap recent sports events like the World Series, share a live card rip session, and debate industry sustainability. The hosts also highlight their podcast’s award nomination and encourage listener participation by sharing favorite card pulls. The episode wraps up with updates on upcoming card shop visits and ways to connect with the show.
Plus — exciting news! Brian’s company, Ludex, is nominated for Innovation of the Year at The Hobby Awards. Show your support by voting here 👇🗳️ Vote for Ludex: https://thehobbyawards.onmantel.com/nominees/ludex
TAKEAWAYS
Recent market trends in trading cards and collectibles
Player card values and notable increases in specific cards
Overview of recent sports events, including the World Series
Discussion on the performance of players like Ohtani and Ja'Marr Chase
Updates on trending football and basketball card releases
The impact of live streaming platforms like Whatnot on the collectibles market
Comparison of Whatnot's live streaming capabilities to eBay's efforts
Insights on industry speculation and sustainability of card prices
The significance of innovation and technology in the collectibles hobby
Community engagement through sharing personal card stories and experiences
Trading Cards & Collectibles Podcast is your front-row seat to the stories, strategy, and live action across the entire collectibles universe as the home for the hobby on the Radcast Network. Cards, kicks, vintage, digital collectibles - if it has a story or a market, we cover it. Hosted by marketing disruptor and creator Ryan Alford, each episode blends real market news, on-air pack rips, honest product reviews, and conversations with athletes, investors, creators, and hobby influencers. We even take it live on eBay, selling what we pull so you can follow the journey from pack to purchase.
New episodes drop Tuesday and Friday.
Rate and review to help more collectors find the show, and tag us with your hits and hot takes so we can feature you on our Hits of the Week!
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