Sports Cards Aren’t a Hobby Anymore — Here’s What Changed

What this episode is about

The sports card industry has evolved from a traditional hobby into a complex marketplace dominated by big players struggling to compete against platforms like eBay. Emphasizing the experience of collection and community engagement, the discussion highlights the importance of digital tools and retail environments that enhance the overall enjoyment of card collecting.

Key takeaways

• Big brands are struggling in marketplaces—if eBay can’t be dethroned, good luck, small players!
• Collecting isn't just about cards; it's a digital journey bolstered by apps like Lux enhancing the experience.
• Buffalo's comeback mentality shines—empathy for fans who've endured past heartbreaks, sports loyalty runs deep.
• Cold weather unfazed? Watch out for teams like the Bears; some players might need a climate lesson.
• The hobby space is evolving—expect mainstream partnerships, but watch for micro-industries within the collectibles market.

Who speaks in this episode?

• Ryan Alfred (Host) · 13 min speaking
• Brian Len (Guest) · 8 min speaking
• Bella Schaefer (Guest) · 1 min speaking

What is discussed, and when

1. 0:00 – 5:00: Collector Nation, Brian Len, Fanatics Collect
2. 5:00 – 10:00: Fanatics Collect
3. 10:00 – 15:00: Texas Rangers Stadium
4. 15:00 – 20:00: Brian Len
5. 20:00 – 20:59: Collector Nation

Notable quotes from "Sports Cards Aren’t a Hobby Anymore — Here’s What Changed"

• Going to do a marketplace, blah, blah, blah. It's not going to work because Fanatics Collect is having a hard time building a marketplace. Walmart's having a hard time building…

  about Fanatics Collect · at 0:08

• Welcome to the Collector Nation podcast on the Radcast Network. From chasing grails to calling bluffs, we're going inside the hobby.

  about Collector Nation · at 0:56

• That you don't want quickly through the Lux app, through coming to a retail experience like the Lux card store at the Texas Rangers Stadium or Collector Station. it's the experience plus the cards. It's it's all of that.

  about Texas Rangers Stadium · at 10:12

• Yeah, man. Get back to it. Brian's building the new HQ for LEX in Chicago. That's L Ude D X. You need to go to the app store, download the app.

  about Brian Len · at 19:16

Who and what is mentioned in this episode?

People

• Brian Len — Person · Co-host / In-studio recurring guest · 2 mentions · first at 1:34
  He co-leads the conversation with Ryan, provides hobby/industry sentiment, and is positioned as a founder/major shareholder building LEX HQ in Chicago.

Companies & orgs

• Collector Nation — Company · Podcast brand / platform · 4 mentions · first at 0:56
  It is the show/network identity and distribution hub (website, clips, video), framing the episode as an 'inside the hobby/industry' conversation.
• Fanatics Collect — Company · Referenced competitor / marketplace builder · 2 mentions · first at 0:11
  Cited as a major player struggling to build a marketplace, used to argue that small marketplaces will have difficulty competing with eBay.

Places & events

• Texas Rangers Stadium — Place · Referenced retail venue/location · 1 mention · first at 10:17
  Cited as a physical retail touchpoint for the Lux ecosystem, illustrating the 'experience + cards' thesis beyond online marketplaces.

Full transcript with timestamps

0:00 Some of these big multinationals really have had a hard time competing with the eBay marketplace. I'm not going to name the small ones, but like, hey, we're going to do a marketplace, blah, blah, blah. It's not going to work because Fanatics Collect is having a hard time building a marketplace. Walmart's having a hard time building a marketplace. I don't even know how a small marketplace is going to compete when the big guys can't take a bite out of the apple yet.

0:22 I'm not just all about the card. No, it's about the experience of keeping up with your collection digitally on the Lux app. Coming to a retail experience like the Lennux card store or collector station. There's a ecosystem here of these things that doesn't just start and stop with a box of cards. That's what's exciting for everyone that's into collecting and ripping cards. It's fun. You got to enjoy the journey.

0:46 In the end, that's how this industry grows. And I'm going to try not to say hobby this year. And I'm going to say

0:51 I know. I'm going to try it. It's hard. It's hard. Welcome to the Collector Nation podcast on the Radcast Network. From chasing grails to calling bluffs, we're going inside the hobby. Are you ready to collect? Let's get at it. Here's your host, Ryan Alfred. Hello and welcome to Collector Nation here on the Collector Nation Network. Powered, loved, handled, groomed by Lux. And of co, you know, I can't think of enough word. This power is just overplayed. It's just like, but it's the home of LUX content, the LUX kingdom.

1:33 We're just proud to be a part of it. That's why I got Brian Len right here in studio every time, every Friday. Me and Brian are going to break it down. Hey, there's so much to talk about. Brian,

1:43 bear down. Bear down, dude. What? I tell you what, the cardiac cardiac kids like fourth quarter magic, it's unbelievable. And I and I kind of knew it was coming. I was watching. I was like, I think Caleb's going to do it again. I I think he's going to do it again. And what was it? 26 points in the fourth quarter. Was that what he was?

2:05 25, I think. But yeah, who's counting? One point. Oh my god. And you were there.

2:11 I was there. And it was insane. like the but this team has like um you know has that comeback mentality. So like the fans a year ago, two years ago, 5 years ago we would have left but no one left and then it happened again. So

2:26 this week now this week's interesting because it's on Sunday night and the real field temperature. So, I've seen teams I've seen teams come to Chicago that are much better than the Bears and they just can't play. It's like a shock to their system. They can't run. They can't catch. They can't tackle. I mean, the LA Rams don't even know what negative seven feels like.

2:58 No. Negative7. Uh, I think I heard that Matthew Stafford in temperatures under 40 degrees is like 2 and 10.

3:08 Yeah, he's a Georgia boy. I mean, he went to Georgia. I don't know where he might have grown up in Georgia.

3:13 Yeah, then dome in Detroit and then, you know LA. LA. That guy's Yeah, we'll see.

3:21 What do you think about the Bills? You know, that was a tough game to watch. I love it because Josh is my guy. But, you know, being a Clemson guy with and my boys loving Jacksonville, we were watching and it played out to the tea of what I expected. I I kind of thought I will admit that I was kind of expecting Jacksonville to maybe win the game because I thought I knew it was going to be tight and playing at home, but then once I kind of got into the first quarter, I said Buffalo will win and and Josh will rip my kids and the Jaguars hearts out. Uh I pretty much called the entire fourth quarter uh down to the last play. Uh called the inter. It was annoying even myself because I knew I just know I watch Josh. I know Josh I knew the zone he was in and how he was taking care of the ball and calling the right plays and Jacksonville was a little predictable kind of you know and they scored and the Buffalo defense was

4:16 a little shaky at times but they always are. I mean it was like I've just watched enough Buffalo games you know those battles with Mahomes and look I love Trev. I love him, but he ain't Momes. And if he wants to be in the, you know, the thin air of elite, he threw two really bad picks, you know, like, yeah, you can say the last one, it be throwing the tight coverage like do a dump down like you got one minute. Yeah, you got to move fast, but don't put it in jeopardy the first play and take yourself completely out of it. And, you know, I just it was predictable. So, that's like my disappointing side with, you know, Trev and Jacksonville. But look, I mean, Buffalo wins. What's the uh what's the state of the hobby? Like, you know, I know you're doing you're working a lot of deals and you're doing things that CEOs do at tech companies that happen to be in the hobby and but what what what's the lay of the land

5:11 right now in the hobby? A couple deal. I saw Arena Club did a deal with the San Antonio Spurs.

5:17 Yeah. And I know that they're looking at other teams, professional teams. I think they want to just, you know, have a presence in there of giving away like a mystery pack or whatever game. So, I think, you know, that feeds into the mainstream like it continues to get more mainstream.

5:33 Yeah. Um, and I think that I mean, you're talking with other executives like maybe or to other people that are running companies within the hobby or the collectible space. I know you you talked to Walmart, you talked to eBay, and you're talking with, you know, other niche provider. I mean, what's sort of the I don't know the sentiment? I mean I I think the sentiment uh there's like because this mark the the industry like we always talk about there's like micro industries inside of industries. I mean what I'm seeing is that these these big multinationals really have had a hard time competing with the eBay marketplace and I'm seeing them making deals um that are facilitating the growth of their marketplace. And I'm talking about Walmart

6:20 and Fanatics. Um, those are probably the the big ones. And here's the thing about it is the marketplaces that come out. I'm not going to name the small ones, but like, hey, we're going to do a marketplace and zero commission and blah blah blah. It's not going to work because Fanatics Collect is having a hard time building a marketplace.

6:42 Yeah. Walmart's having a hard time building a marketplace. And so they're starting to get a little more strategic and you know value partnerships, but I mean I don't even know how a small marketplace is going to compete when the big guys can can't take a bite out of the apple yet. It's a much much harder than people think because it's you got three components. You got trust, you got volume, you got velocity, and

7:08 and if if you have those three things, you know, you're you're going to do okay. But it it's not a place where uh you get rewarded for just opening the doors. What do you think? What's on your mind in the industry?

7:21 You know, I'm a football football card first guy. Like me personally in the hobby. Obviously, the store will have everything, but like the draft class was so hot last year and even they're carrying over with, you know, the rookies in the playoffs and this year is just so meh. just had to use that. It's like and next year's looking very and so I don't know like that drives a lot of the hobby a lot at least at that particular card. So I think my radar is off a little bit of of definite. I I definitely all the stuff I normally follow and the content I follow seems to be flowing. Everybody's still ripping packs and they're barking about $90, you know, mega boxes with chrome basketball, but they still seem to be opening it and liking it and I've opened a few of those. Fun fun rip. So, you know, I I I don't know. I think people are still buying stuff. That's for sure. Hobby and collecting and what in this industry

8:21 like it's a pastime, you know. It's like, yeah, it's become industry for you and me. You sooner than me, but now me. But for everyone that's that's in to collecting and and you know ripping cards and doing like that it's fun. It's entertainment. So it needs to feel that way. It needs to live and breathe in an environment of community and hanging out and like enjoying it. And yeah, it's about yeah, did I get a downtown? Did I get a kaboom? Did I get this? That yeah, that's part of the excitement, but you got to enjoy the journey. And so I want to play have a place where the journey of collecting is experienced and enjoyed.

9:02 And in the end, that's how this industry grows. And I'm going to try not to say hobby this year and I'm going to say

9:08 I know. Yeah. I'm going to try it and see what happen. It's hard. It's hard. Yeah. And I think I think the industry why it's an important word is when these multinational companies are coming in, they're looking for companies that are industry like are real industry brands. like they like, whoa, this this industry,

9:27 they're not interested in hobby shops. They're not. And Fanatics isn't, Walmart's, eBay is not these big guys. And we're not even talking about private equity or VC or whatever, but like these like they want to reward people doing the, you know, the future of this industry. They're going to reward those people. And I think that's why they're pulling back is they're like, "That vision is not what we want. Pull that back." and they're going to reward the people that are are, you know, pushing this into the next, you know, generation.

9:59 Sometimes it's all about the card. No, it's about the experience, you know, like of it and of your of keeping up with your collection digitally on the Lux app, of listing your cards on eBay that you don't want quickly through the Lux app, through coming to a retail experience like the Lux card store at the Texas Rangers Stadium or Collector Station. Like, it's the experience plus the cards. It's it's all of that. There's there's a ecosystem here of these things that that isn't it that doesn't just start and stop with a box of cards and I think that's what's exciting.

10:40 Absolutely. Speaking of all that, we got some winners, some risers uh of the week. Uh I don't think these names will be completely as we get in we're really narrowing it down here once you get to the playoffs. It's kind of like you don't have uh 32 teams playing every week and uh uh I don't think anyone would be totally shocked by these. The value shocked me a little bit on a couple of them. So I got the uh top three risers on LEX. So uh the risers of the week number three, Matthew Stafford. He's uh his scans have increased 56%.

11:16 Uh that's a big jump. I I I know I've done this we've done this enough now, Brian, that I know that's a uh pretty significant leap, isn't it?

11:24 Yeah, that's huge. 56% increase. His 2009 Topps chrome refractor rookie card at a PSA 10 at the beginning of December was 1,00 $1,911 on 111. Wow. Holy moly. Less than a month. Like that's like my math's right, 40 days. We've got almost a doubling of value. Am I getting that right, Bella?

11:49 Yep, that's correct. Bella Schaefer, executive producer extraordinaire. Nearly doubled on this. Uh Matthew Stafford. Unbelievable. Dude, I needed to pick that up. Ryan, why didn't you tell me to pick up some refractor uh Staffords, man? Doubling up, man. That's like can't what stock doubles in 40 days? Uh sign me up. Number two, Rock party. Not necessarily a surprise here either. Uh advancing in the playoffs. On 1217 or is that 12-1?

12:23 1217 it went for $375 and as of 111 it went for $560. Whoa. 32% it scan increase. And I appreciate Bella for reading that. My contacts.

12:38 It sounds better too. And my contacts are completely blurry. I got to go get my eyes tested. LEX trending players. He was unranked and he's now 54. Rock Purdy.

12:50 Yep. And then our last one is a 2024 Panini Prism Silver Caleb Williams. And it has had an 143% increase. uh in at on December 25th, it sold for $660 and as of 112 it sold for $800, bringing him from player number 34 to player number five.

13:14 Oh, scan increase of that was a scan increase of 142%. That's a that's a leap. The fallers, we'll go a little quicker on these. Number three faller, AJ Brown.

13:27 Yep. He has had a 5% decrease. Uh $830 it sold for $120 and as of 17 it has sold for $85 bringing him from player ranking 173 to 219.

13:43 Uh I he's a complex individual. I don't know what to say about them, but it it just seems like certain players always sort of like ruffle feathers and

13:53 it's always receivers or like cornerbacks or like Yeah, it's like the defensive cornerbacks or the Yeah. receivers. It's like me me.

14:05 Yep. Jordan Love. He has number two dropper. Yep. He's had a 32% decrease in scans. And at 1220, his card sold for $540 and as of 111, it has sold for $455, bringing him from player number 89 to player number 172.

14:27 Jordan not feeling the love. Uh uh yeah, you we really feel bad about this one. We don't. Um,

14:38 and uh, but I Jordan played pretty well. I thought actually played amazing. You know, I didn't think he had anything to do with the loss. Uh, but necessarily uh, and I buy his card. I think he's a hell of a player, but you know, that's just investment talk. I' I'd love for him not to be on the Packers, but you know, I do think he's a good player. But as a Bears fan, and I was a Bears fan before I knew Brian, like they're kind of my my other team. I grew up watching WGN. If you grew up in easy South Carolina, that's all the freak you had to watch is WGN and TBS on the channel.

15:10 So, I was a Cubs and a and a Bears fan since 1985. So, uh under the radar and uh we you need an NFC team anyways.

15:20 Exactly. You know, I got to share the love around. Now, I mean, I will admit I will pull for Josh if it got down to I'd be okay with the Bears and the Bills. I mean, how great Bears Bills. I mean, the alliteration, the the the the every like as a marketer and a writer, like there's so many things to like about how clean that is. Uh, and the logos and the hierarchy, all you know, Josh Allen versus Caleb Wood. I mean, there's so many storylines. How great would that be?

15:47 I mean, we have to go to that. Would we go to that Super Bowl if that's who played?

15:51 Yes, sir. I think we need Hopefully, I'd get an invite. Absolutely. You get a press pass.

15:56 Yeah, you get a press pass, Bella. We can't do anything without you, so we'll just go out there and screw everything up.

16:04 Uh Justin Herbert's the, you know, the biggest loser of the week. Um he dropped off quite significantly. His scans decreased roughly 10%.

16:14 Yep. 9% decrease. And 1010, it's his card sold for $1,215 and on one um it sold for $830. Yikes. And he went from player number 48 to player 235.

16:32 They just can't protect him. Yeah. Nah, he needs some help around him. We'll see what happens.

16:38 I got one thing uh update on the collection. My uh my storage units. So, I have like another 10 days before I have to say goodbye to those. The whole collection.

16:51 So, what are you doing? The card shop is going to purchase them for me. So, Lotus Card Shop is buying all five million cards from me. Wow. And so, I kind of kept it in the family.

17:03 You did keep it in the family. You sold it to yourelves. Is Yeah, welcome to corporate world. But yeah, like Brian's a founder and a very large stockholder, but he has a lot of other owners now. So, uh yes, he's sold it to the uh the the cart, which makes a ton of sense. Dude, you need inventory.

17:23 Yep. And also, I seriously have looked and I I sent some videos to you. I've worked through probably 15% of those cards.

17:34 And every time I look through them, I'm pulling crazy stuff out. Especially now 90s inserts are getting really popular.

17:41 Yeah. So, I pulled a couple of those numbered low numbered ones. And those are those are awesome cards. PMGs. Um

17:48 Leos. Yeah. What's that? Did you find any like Atlanta Braves classics that you should send me or anything?

17:56 I'm actually putting some of my chippers aside for you. Hey, I love that. Um, you know, I was a I was in the 80s 90s like late 70 age myself a little bit like three years old. I have some like pictures I was in like an Atlanta Braves onesie or something. I don't know.

18:14 Mr. Mr. Like, yeah, I still wear it every now and then around my finger. Uh, yeah. Dale Mur, Dale Murphy onesie. I'm telling you, Bob her, Raphael Ramirez. All right, come on. Don't even don't even test me. Uh,

18:31 those are my boys. I was like the the real love of the industry was sparked by, you know, Sid Bream rounding the bases with the hobbling leg, the peg leg whatever. Went in that super is it World Series?

18:51 That was so slow. Was that 91? I think so. 90 91. Those are some good years, man. Good years. That's what the the heart of the junk wax unfortunately when I was collecting the most cards probably. But yeah, man. It's been a good week. A lot of things going on. We appreciate everybody for listening. And uh Brian, any final thoughts for everyone?

19:14 No, I'm good, my man. Always a pleasure. Yeah, man. Get back to it. Brian's building the the new HQ for LEX in Chicago. That's L Ude D X. You need to go to the app store, download the app. Thank me later. telling you it's the best scanning app in the app store. Uh, and for digital collection, for managing your eBay listings, like there's a million benefits. And look, Brian's working with his team, who's a bunch of badasses every day on new features, new functionality, and new things that are coming. You want to get in that ecosystem so you know what's happening.

19:47 You'll get subscribed to their newsletter, all the content. They're doing amazing things, and we're proud to work with them, and I'm just proud to have him as a friend. I appreciate you, Brian.

19:57 Same back at you, buddy. Good luck this weekend. Yes, we will. We will prevail. We appreciate you for listening. Go to thecollectornation.com. You'll find all the highlight clips, links to lux, links to all of my personal social media, and of course everything else that we've got going on. And go bear up, baby. Go bear up. Yeah. Coat up, suit up, sock up. Get those electric socks out, man. I'm going to be on my couch with a beer uh watching it. But uh either way, go Bears, go Bills. We appreciate you. We'll see you next time on Collector Nation. Thanks for tuning in to the show. Don't forget to follow us on your favorite podcast platform. And don't miss the full video version on YouTube. You can find us at collectornation.com or follow Ryan on Instagram at ryanalford.

20:52 Now get out there and collect yours.

Questions about this episode

Who speaks in "Sports Cards Aren’t a Hobby Anymore — Here’s What Changed"?

Ryan Alfred (Host), Brian Len (Guest), Bella Schaefer (Guest).

What is "Sports Cards Aren’t a Hobby Anymore — Here’s What Changed" about?

The sports card industry has evolved from a traditional hobby into a complex marketplace dominated by big players struggling to compete against platforms like eBay. Emphasizing the experience of collection and community engagement, the discussion highlights the importance of digital tools and retail environments that enhance the overall enjoyment of card collecting.

What is mentioned in this Collector Nation episode?

4 people, works and ideas are mentioned, including Brian Len, Collector Nation, Fanatics Collect, Texas Rangers Stadium. Each one on this page links to its own page with every episode that mentions it.

How long is "Sports Cards Aren’t a Hobby Anymore — Here’s What Changed"?

The episode runs 21 min; the transcript is about 3,621 words in 63 timestamped sections.

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