In this episode of Collector Nation, Ryan is joined by Carmine Gemei, Sports Director at FOX Carolina, for a wide-ranging conversation on why vintage sports cards continue to outperform hype-driven modern collecting.

Carmine shares how his background in sports media shapes the way he views collecting, value, and storytelling. The discussion covers the psychology of collecting, the power of nostalgia, and why iconic players like Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Bo Jackson remain blue-chip assets in the hobby.

They also explore how media has evolved, why human stories matter more than ever, and how smart collectors think beyond short-term trends. This episode blends media insight, collecting wisdom, and real-world experience into a conversation that helps collectors make better long-term decisions.

Podcast Highlights

• Vintage vs modern sports card value

• The psychology behind collecting

• Media, storytelling, and nostalgia

• Why inscriptions and rarity matter

• Collecting with intention, not hype

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What does the future of the sports card hobby really look like?

In this episode of Collector Nation, Ryan Alford and Brian Ludden unpack the most important trends shaping sports cards heading into 2026 — from grading and raw cards to breakers, Fanatics, Pokémon, and playoff-driven market spikes.

Inside the conversation:

• Why grading has become mainstream — and won’t reverse

• The role breakers play in driving demand and visibility

• How raw cards still matter in a graded-dominated world

• Why the hobby economy may be far larger than reported

• What Fanatics and Topps could mean for pricing and access

• Playoff quarterback cards and potential market upside

• Which hobby trends could fade — and which are accelerating

This episode is a must-listen for collectors, investors, and anyone serious about understanding where the hobby is going next.

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The sports card and collectibles hobby is entering a new phase—one driven by content, community, and digital discovery.

In this episode, we’re joined by Shivam Patel, a collector and content creator with a front-row seat to how modern collectors engage with sports cards, trading card games, and pop-culture collectibles.

Shivam shares insights on how media influences demand, why younger collectors think differently, and what the hobby needs to understand as it continues to evolve.

• How media and storytelling impact collecting

• Why community is now central to the hobby

• Differences between sports card and TCG collectors

• How new collectors enter the hobby today

• Trends shaping the future of collectibles

• Social: @notshivam

• Podcast: The Vaulted Podcast

• Covers: Sports cards, TCGs, collectibles, and hobby culture