In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope , Tyler breaks down the record-breaking sale of the 2007-08 Upper Deck Exquisite Dual Logoman Autograph featuring Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant — the most expensive sports card ever sold at $12.932 million. We cover why it went so high, what makes it unique, and what it means for the future of the hobby. Timestamps: 0:01 – Welcome + quick recap of the $13M sale 2:30 – Why this Jordan-Kobe card is different 5:20 – The power of combining two player bases 7...
Aug 25, 2025•26 min•Ep. 65
Learn how the power of silence can change your negotiations at card shows, shops, or even buying a car. Inspired by Chris Voss’ Never Split the Difference , we explore why silence is uncomfortable, how to use it strategically, and real-world examples of it working in the hobby. Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro & Chris Voss inspiration 0:42 – Why humans hate silence 2:30 – Strategic silence in card deals 4:45 – The text message “read but not replied” analogy 6:15 – Counting to seven in your head 7:40...
Aug 20, 2025•10 min•Ep. 64
In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope , Tyler dives into the psychology of negotiations at card shows. Inspired by Chris Voss’ Never Split the Difference , he shares practical tactics like mirroring, labeling, and tactical empathy that help you build better relationships with dealers and get the cards you want—without burning bridges. Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro: Deals Start with Conversations 1:30 – Why Reading the Room Matters 5:00 – Mirroring Technique (Chris Voss Method) 8:00 – Labeling Emot...
Aug 18, 2025•21 min•Ep. 63
A collector scored autographs from Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, Babe Ruth, Lionel Messi, and Wayne Gretzky—on one item. But are those really the greatest of all time, or just his GOATs? Tyler breaks down the story, debates the GOATs across every sport, and shares his own personal dream collectible. Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro: The 5-GOAT Autograph Story 1:15 – The Babe Ruth Starting Point 2:40 – How Brady, Gretzky, Messi, and MJ Signed On 4:55 – What’s Your GOAT List? 7:20 – My Picks Across Sports 12...
Aug 15, 2025•18 min•Ep. 62
In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope , I share 5 game-changing tips I learned from completing the legendary 1996 EX Credentials basketball set—the first-ever numbered basketball card set in history. Whether you’re chasing a vintage set or the latest parallel rainbow, these strategies will save you money, speed up your hunt, and keep your collecting fun. Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro & backstory on the set 1:12 – Tip 1: The Buy-It-Now Blitz 3:25 – Tip 2: Big Seller Bulk Deal 5:26 – Tip 3: Trac...
Aug 13, 2025•16 min•Ep. 61
Ever hit a wall at a card show negotiation? Tyler shares his go-to hack for bridging the final gap in deals—and how it scored him a Steph Curry rookie card (basically for free). This is one of those simple negotiation moves that can turn a "maybe" into a "done deal." Tune in, learn the method, and start winning more tableside talks! Timestamps: 0:17 — Setting the scene: The National card show 0:56 — The offer gap: $1,100 vs $900 1:42 — Spotting the Curry rookie 2:25 — The “Throw-In” technique ex...
Aug 06, 2025•9 min•Ep. 60
Description: In this episode, Tyler spills the tea on a wild experiment: buying up nearly 40 Jared McCain Silver Prizm rookies—and watching the market follow his lead. If you’ve ever asked, “Can one collector really move prices?”... this is the playbook. Timestamps: 0:00 - Welcome Chicken Nuggets 🐔 0:30 - Why McCain caught my eye 1:45 - Card strategy: buying low & holding 3:00 - Flipping comps on eBay 6:45 - Setting the tone with Ron Gant nostalgia 9:15 - Niche collectors, niche power 11:50...
Aug 04, 2025•16 min•Ep. 59
Tyler Tarver here — and just because I can’t attend The National this year ( RIP, my early access ticket ), doesn’t mean I’m not going to equip YOU with the best tips in the game. Whether it’s your first time or your fifth, these 15 card show tips — from packing a “grind kit” to trade night tactics — could be the difference between a legendary haul and hobby regret. 👟 Bonus: I even include weird tricks like how a Jordan Poole jersey got me more deals. Timestamps: 0:00 – What’s Up Chicken Nugget...
Jul 30, 2025•21 min•Ep. 58
this is crazy to me fr
Jul 28, 2025•39 min•Ep. 57
this is a terrible situation for everyone involved. please have patience with people as they try to navigate this.
Jul 21, 2025•13 min•Ep. 56
Reporting live from a creepy hotel room, Tyler breaks down his personal eBay data and what it reveals about the exploding popularity of WNBA cards — including Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese. Why are female athletes outselling NBA stars? Let's talk market momentum, culture, and how collectors are driving a shift that might be here to stay. Timestamps: 00:45 – Why I was off the grid (Alaskan cruise + eBay settings) 1:45 – My exact eBay setup and pricing strategy 2:50 – 100% of sale...
Jul 18, 2025•12 min•Ep. 55
In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope , Dr. Tyler Tarver breaks down the major shift eBay is making to their auction system: extended bidding. What does it mean for you as a buyer, seller, or investor in sports cards? Is this the end of last-second sniping? Or just the beginning of more fair pricing? Tyler dives deep with analogies, insights, and hot takes that’ll have you rethinking how you buy cards online. 🕒 Timestamps : 0:00 — What up, chicken nuggets! Why this change matters 1:45 — eBay...
Jul 16, 2025•13 min•Ep. 54
In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope, Dr. Tyler Tarver breaks down how to spot players before they explode in value. We’re not chasing hype, we’re finding smart buys before the market catches up. From Cooper Flagg to Jordan Poole, from losing teams to playoff sleepers, we’re talking player movement, market psychology, and real stories from the trenches of the hobby. ⏰ Timestamps: 0:00 – What up, chicken nuggets 0:46 – Why Cooper Flagg may already be overpriced 2:15 – The “Young Star Dip” is ...
Jul 02, 2025•13 min•Ep. 53
In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope , Dr. Tyler Tarver breaks down the Gym Rate data and the crazy grading trends from June 2025. From Pokémon outpacing ALL major sports combined to the possible downfall (and potential Fanatics acquisition) of Beckett—this one’s got it all. Plus, how TCG may be the Fortnite gateway into our sports card Call of Duty world. ⏱️ Timestamps: 0:00 – Welcome, Chicken Nuggets 🍗 1:10 – PSA Still King, But CGC Is Climbing Fast 3:00 – Beckett Down BAD: 30% Drop in Gr...
Jun 30, 2025•16 min•Ep. 52
What up chicken nuggets! I just got back from Fanatics Fest with my son Finn and we’ve got thoughts. Big ones. We talk about the real purpose of this event, the strategic media machine behind it, and why sports cards may just be the Trojan horse of the whole thing. We also break down what Fanatics got right… and where they totally dropped the ball by not using card creators to host athlete experiences. This episode blends content strategy, card culture, and Kevin Durant dodging my autograph atte...
Jun 25, 2025•32 min•Ep. 51
What’s up, chicken nuggets! In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope , I open up about the biggest loss I’ve ever taken on a sports card — a 2003 Topps Chrome LeBron James. It’s a tale of crossover grading, market timing, and a $1,500 dip in value. Learn what happened, what I’d do differently, and why I’m still happy to own the card. 🕒 Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro & group therapy vibes 1:30 – Mount Rushmore of PC: Jordan, LeBron, Steph, Pool 2:30 – Why LeBron has to be in your Top 5 5:45 – Buyi...
Jun 18, 2025•14 min•Ep. 50
Description: What up chicken nuggets! In today’s episode of Sports Cards Are Dope, we’re talking vintage cards—specifically, the unspoken red flags when dealers price raw cards based on “what they’ll grade.” I share a few personal mistakes, like the infamous Jackie Robinson color-added situation, and break down how YOU can avoid the same traps. 🕒 Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro & why vintage still rules 1:33 – My Jackie & Hank personal collection 2:30 – The raw card pricing trap 5:00 – Why gra...
Jun 16, 2025•11 min•Ep. 49
Description: What’s up, chicken nuggets? In this episode, I break down the three biggest lessons I wish someone told me when I got back into collecting sports cards. If you’re new to the hobby, THIS is the episode you need. 🕒 Timestamps: 0:00 – Welcome, chicken nuggets 1:12 – Why COMPS are wild and unreliable 5:03 – The importance of finding your people in the hobby 8:03 – Collect what you LIKE (not what’s hot) 12:15 – My $3,500 LeBron mistake 15:20 – Wrap-up and call for community advice...
Jun 13, 2025•16 min•Ep. 48
In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope , Dr. Tyler Tarver shares the intense rollercoaster of chasing one of the rarest Kobe Bryant rookie cards — the 1996 EX Credentials. From a beach bid gone wrong to suspicious $15K sales, Tyler breaks down the emotional and market chaos of finishing a grail set. Was it shill bidding or real demand? And what can we learn from this rise in value? Timestamps: 0:00 — The card that got away 1:30 — Why this Kobe card is the one 2:58 — My $5.7K bid failed 4:05 — ...
Jun 11, 2025•8 min•Ep. 47
In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope , Dr. Tyler Tarver talks with Adam Gray (Real 27 Guy) — a collector so knowledgeable, he makes Indiana Jones look like a rookie. They swap autograph-chasing stories, from courtside dad energy to Kobe Bryant kindness, and even unpack a binder full of NBA history. Whether you’re into collecting, culture, or nostalgia, this episode is a love letter to why we collect in the first place. ⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 – Why Adam’s the Indiana Jones of sports cards 2:00 – ...
Jun 09, 2025•19 min•Ep. 46
In this episode, I sent two massive boxes of sports cards to eBay consigner DC Sports87 (not sponsored, just honest). Did I cash in or crash out? Let’s break down my full experience — from shipping costs to which cards flopped and which surprisingly popped. I also dive into Arena Club vs Fanatics Collect and talk about the underrated power of Magic: The Gathering cards. Spoiler alert: I made $2,700, but it didn’t come easy. Timestamps: 0:00 — Intro & why I used a consigner 1:30 — Shipping co...
Jun 06, 2025•9 min•Ep. 45
Hey chicken nuggets! Today I’m diving into that new Complex show where athletes hit the card shop — and it’s already such a fun concept. I love seeing cards get the spotlight, and it got me thinking… what if we added a few elements to take it to another level? Here are 5 things I’d try if I got the call to collaborate. Hit the comments with your dream additions too! Timestamps: 0:00 – Welcome & quick Complex show summary 1:25 – Why I’m loving this idea already 2:00 – Tip #1: Let super-collec...
May 16, 2025•9 min•Ep. 44
just my opinion. what you think?
May 14, 2025•13 min•Ep. 43
PSA just brought back the minimum grade submission option for higher-tier grading — but why would anyone want a card graded if it might not even get a number? In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope , Dr. Tyler Tarver breaks down the pros, the cons, and the strategy behind this polarizing option. Could it actually help your bottom line? Let’s find out. Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro + PSA's announcement breakdown 1:30 – What the minimum grade feature actually does 2:50 – Why some collectors want NO g...
May 09, 2025•8 min•Ep. 42
🎙️ What up, chicken nuggets! In this solo episode of "Sports Cards Are Dope," I wrestle with the unthinkable: if I could only keep ONE card in my collection, which one would it be? I walk through three key factors — memory, milestone, and aesthetic vibes — and reveal my five honorable mentions and my final grail pick. Spoiler: it’s not the most expensive card I own, and yes, Steph Curry is involved. 🕐 Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro: The One Card Question 0:42 – Factor 1: Memory (1994 Gold Foil Jorda...
May 07, 2025•10 min•Ep. 41
my show notes been trash lately I'LL GET BETTER YOU JUST HAVE TO BELIEVEEEEE
Apr 30, 2025•14 min•Ep. 40
Adam Gray THE GOAT @thereal27guy joins us to talk about what it's like selling your PC to build back betttttter!!
Apr 21, 2025•7 min•Ep. 39
Here is what works for me!
Apr 18, 2025•20 min•Ep. 38
just some thoughts on being a season ticket holder (half season to be exact, don't lie tyler)
Apr 16, 2025•16 min•Ep. 37
Apr 11, 2025•6 min•Ep. 36
