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The Sports Card CEO Podcast

Eric Mandelkern, Gary "Bubba" Wilson, Matt Ham (Host)
19 episodes   Last Updated: May 14, 25
The Sports Card CEO Podcast is your ultimate destination for everything sports cards! Whether you're a seasoned collector, an investor seeking market insights, or just starting your journey in the hobby, we've got you covered. Each episode, we’ll explore the ins and outs of the sports card world, offering expert tips, insider strategies, and captivating stories from industry pros. From grading and authentication to flipping tactics and long-term investment advice, we’ll equip you with the knowledge you need to succeed in this exciting space.

Episodes

In this episode, the hosts dive deep into the world of sports card collecting, focusing on the recent Bowman release. They discuss the excitement surrounding the release, strategies for collecting, and the competitive nature of the hobby. The conversation also touches on the new Breaker's Delight format, the importance of true colors in cards, and the impact of new players entering the market. The hosts emphasize the significance of understanding card populations, rarity, and future value, while also addressing the volatility of the market and the importance of making informed decisions as collectors.Chapters00:00 Introductions03:06 Bowman Release Excitement and Strategies06:14 The Breakers Delight Format Discussion09:05 Insights on Collecting and Market Trends12:16 Navigating the New Bowman Release15:11 Value of True Colors and Parallels18:17 Final Thoughts on Collecting Strategies23:18 Understanding the Three Types of Card Investors27:29 Evaluating Player Value and Market Trends35:16 The Growing Community of Card Collectors39:35 Second-Year Prospects: Worth the Investment?46:14 Future Value and Generational Talents50:16 Strategies for Card Investment56:09 Navigating Overreactions in the Market
In this episode of the SportsCard CEO, hosts Matt Hamm, Bubba Wilson, and Eric Mandelkern discuss the latest trends in the sports card market, focusing on the upcoming 2025 Bowman release. They share personal updates, market insights, and strategies for buying and selling cards. Special guest Aram Leighton, Co-Founder of Just Baseball, joins the conversation to provide expert analysis on top prospects and the impact of player performance on card values. The episode emphasizes the importance of understanding market dynamics and making informed decisions in the hobby.Chapters00:00 Introductions03:01 Personal Updates and Market Insights06:07 Transition to Special Guest Announcement09:06 Joining the Just Baseball Network12:08 Discussion on 2025 Bowman Release14:57 Prospect Rankings and Market Predictions22:44 The Value of Hype in the Hobby24:51 Market Perceptions of College Players28:42 The Impact of Team Performance on Player Value33:17 The Disconnect Between Performance and Card Value39:33 Identifying Hidden Gems in the Market49:01 The Value of Cards in the Hobby51:30 Strategies for Buying and Selling Cards52:55 Timing and Market Trends in Card Collecting55:02 Identifying Sleepers and Prospects01:00:29 Top Arms and Pitching Prospects01:02:50 Product Strategy and Buying Approaches01:05:19 Final Thoughts and Future Prospects
In this episode of the Sports Card CEO Podcast, the hosts discuss their personal experiences in the sports card hobby, emphasizing community engagement and the thrill of collecting. They share stories about their recent trades, including a notable deal with Mike Trout, and delve into the challenges of grading cards in the current market. The conversation shifts towards the future of collecting, particularly the growing interest in game-used memorabilia, and wraps up with a preview of upcoming episodes focused on new releases and partnerships.Chapters00:00 Introductions03:08 Listener Engagement and Community Building06:15 Personal Experiences in the Sports Card Market08:53 The Impact of Grading on Card Value12:10 Navigating the Current Market Trends15:08 Challenges in Card Grading and Authentication18:13 The Future of Card Collecting and Investment24:34 Rising Stars in Baseball Cards30:22 Milestones and Legacy of Mike Trout39:48 The Shift Towards Game-Used Collectibles46:04 The Hunt: Balancing Modern and Vintage Collecting
In this episode, the hosts discuss their personal experiences and updates, diving into the current baseball season and its impact on player performance and market trends. They explore the challenges faced in the hobby, including negotiation difficulties and market fluctuations, while also sharing strategies for navigating these issues. The conversation wraps up with thoughts on future plans and upcoming events in the sports card community.Chapters00:00 Spring Break Reflections and Family Time03:06 Baseball Season Insights and Player Highlights05:59 Card Fatigue and Personal Milestones09:08 The Update Episode: Catching Up on Life and Cards12:08 Aaron Judge's Stellar Start and Career Prospects15:10 Mike Trout's Performance and Legacy17:55 Fernando Tatis Jr.'s Comeback and Future Potential21:13 Emerging Players and Their Impact on the Hobby23:19 Struggles and Resilience in Baseball24:27 Market Dynamics and Player Performance25:40 Market Resilience Amidst Uncertainty27:32 Long-Term Strategies in Card Collecting30:16 Navigating Inventory and Market Timing33:07 Challenges in Private Deals36:49 Negotiation Strategies and Market Awareness41:30 Personal Experiences and Market Reflections
In this episode of the Sports Card CEO, hosts Matt Ham, Eric Mandelkern, and Bubba Wilson discuss personal experiences, including a life-altering car accident shared by Gary, which emphasizes the importance of family and perspective. They also celebrate personal milestones, such as anniversaries, and introduce guest Mike Maher from Filth Bomb Breaks, who shares his journey in the card hobby, including a significant card pull and insights into the repack product market. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of card collecting and the importance of community engagement. In this engaging conversation, the hosts and guests delve into the world of card breaking, discussing the authenticity required in the hobby, the dynamics of card values and auctions, and the evolution of repackaging. They explore the importance of engaging youth in the hobby, the need for transparency in card values, and the potential for incentivizing collectors through unique experiences. The discussion highlights the balance between gambling and collecting, emphasizing the need for education and excitement in the card market.Chapters00:00 Welcome and Introductions01:36 Life-Changing Experiences and Reflections06:38 Personal Updates and Celebrations11:14 Transitioning to Guest Introduction13:58 Guest Introduction: Mike Maher14:29 Mike's Journey in the Hobby18:16 The Superfractor Story23:07 Volume and Product Insights24:02 The Rise of Repack Products24:50 Understanding the Repack Market25:11 The Importance of Quality in Repacking26:58 Engagement and Gamification in Breaks28:37 Repack Strategies and Profitability30:29 The Value of Vintage and Chase Cards32:55 Packaging and Presentation of Repack Products35:55 The Evolution of the Hobby and Repack Stigma39:20 Risk and Reward in the Repack Business46:50 Understanding the Value of Wax Packs49:13 Enhancing Collector Experience with Autos51:54 Innovative Ideas for Collecting and Incentives56:03 The Importance of Education in the Hobby01:00:34 Creating Positive Experiences for Kids in Collecting
In this episode of the Sports Card CEO, the hosts discuss various aspects of the sports card hobby, including personal experiences with card sales, market trends, and grading standards. They welcome guest Aram Leighton, who shares insights on early season player performances and evaluates several prospects. The conversation touches on the impact of Fanatics on the market, the importance of personal collections, and the evolving landscape of card grading. The episode concludes with a rapid-fire segment where the hosts and Aram evaluate various players and prospects, discussing their potential and market value.Chapters01:26 Weekly Updates and Card Sales03:42 Personal Collections and Significant Purchases06:11 Market Trends and Sales Volume Insights08:05 Grading Challenges and Experiences11:13 Guest Introduction and Insights on Players13:35 Early Season Player Performances18:09 Prospects and Future Stars21:46 Minor League Insights and Park Factors23:52 Prospects to Watch in Upcoming Releases24:30 Exciting Prospects in Baseball25:29 Comparing Talents: Ceiling and Comp27:35 The Hobby's Frustrations: Hype vs. Skill28:50 Understanding Market Dynamics in Card Collecting30:39 Career WAR: A Path to Hall of Fame33:32 The Evolution of Card Values Over Time35:41 Nostalgia and the Lost Generation of Baseball37:00 The Future of Baseball Collecting38:50 Rapid Fire: Prospects and Their Potential44:42 Evaluating Young Talent: The Next Big Stars47:24 Prospect Comparisons: Finding the Next Yordan Alvarez50:09 Injury Concerns and Development: The Challenges Ahead53:21 Future Hall of Famers: Identifying the Next Generational Players56:08 The Future of Baseball: Emerging Stars and Their Impact
In this episode of SportsCard CEO, the hosts discuss the latest updates in the sports card hobby, including personal experiences and transactions. They introduce Tom Trudeau from Scout the Statline, who shares insights on data-driven projections for player performance. The conversation emphasizes the importance of analytics in making informed decisions in the hobby, while also addressing the emotional aspects of collecting. The hosts conclude with bold predictions for the upcoming baseball season and advice on reevaluating card collections.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Sports Card Hobby02:56 This Week in the Hobby: Updates and Deals07:25 Opening Day Highlights and Player Performances12:02 Introducing Scout the Stat Line: A New Resource16:15 Navigating the Data: How to Use Scout the Stat Line22:35 Diving into Data Points23:35 Analyzing Player Metrics25:34 Identifying Key Traits in Players27:10 The Importance of Bat Speed and Barrel Rate28:19 Comparing Prospects: Montes and E-Rod30:24 Understanding Player Comparisons32:05 Betting on Non-Traditional Prospects33:46 Evaluating Emerging Players35:05 The Emotional Side of Collecting36:56 Reevaluating Collections and Predictions
In this episode of the SportsCard CEO podcast, the hosts discuss the excitement surrounding MLB opening day, share personal updates, and dive into a mailbag segment featuring big card sales and purchases. They explore the significance of grading cards, the impact of different organizations on prospect values, and the importance of finding cheat codes in the hobby. The episode concludes with a thrilling story about a significant card sale, emphasizing the joy of celebrating wins in the sports card community.00:00 Welcome and Episode Overview01:02 Scouting and Mailbag Special02:31 Weekend Sports and Card Sales05:03 Little Matt's Market Insights06:18 Listener Engagement and Humor07:01 The Bowman Farmer Announcement08:01 Mail Opening Begins09:40 Prospect Highlights and Card Collecting11:57 Unboxing Excitement: The Thrill of Card Collecting12:52 Top Prospects: Who to Watch in the Game15:58 Short-Term Strategies: Flipping Cards for Profit18:39 The Value of Inscription Cards: Gimmick or Gold?21:34 Mailbag Insights: Listener Questions and Personal Picks27:41 Strategies for Collecting: High-End vs. Low-End Cards33:16 Market Comparisons: Cards and Bourbon Investments38:05 The Art of Timing in Card Investments40:31 Comparing Topps Chrome and Logofractor Value46:17 Prospects in Smaller Markets vs. Major Teams51:31 Navigating Grading Standards and Market Trends59:52 Celebrating Wins and Building Relationships in the Hobby
In this episode of the SportsCard CEO, the hosts discuss their personal experiences in the sports card hobby, including family involvement, recent transactions, and market trends. They analyze card values, share insights on timing and inventory management, and reflect on the community engagement fostered by their show. The conversation emphasizes the importance of risk management and strategic portfolio development in the ever-evolving card market.
In this episode of the SportsCard CEO podcast, hosts Ham, Gary, and Eric discuss the latest trends in the sports card hobby, share personal experiences from recent card shows, and analyze market dynamics. They welcome Kevin Lenane from Fanatics Collect, who provides insights into the current auction landscape and highlights key cards. The conversation touches on the psychology of collecting, the impact of player performance on card value, and the future of collectibles in the market.