Bloomberg Business of Sports
Episode: BONUS: WWE's Logan Paul & Goldin CEO Ken Goldin
Date: February 14, 2026
Episode Overview
This bonus episode of Bloomberg Business of Sports dives deep into the world of sports and collectible trading cards with two guests: Logan Paul—WWE star, entrepreneur, and high-profile collector—and Ken Goldin, CEO of Goldin Auctions and star of Netflix’s "King of Collectibles." The conversation explores the motivations, risks, and emotional highs and lows behind collecting rare cards and sports memorabilia, the dominance of Pokémon in the collectibles space, and the intersection of culture, finance, and nostalgia driving the multimillion-dollar trading card industry.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Genesis of the Deal: Logan Paul's Pikachu Illustrator Card
- Opening Remarks (01:13):
The host welcomes Ken Goldin and Logan Paul, celebrating the new season of Goldin's Netflix show. - Logan Paul’s Motivations (01:51–02:36):
Logan shares why he’s selling his iconic "the card," the Pikachu Illustrator:-
The Pokémon market is "hotter than it’s ever been," outperforming the stock market by 3,000% over 20 years.
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He bought the card for $5.3 million in 2022.
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Personal milestones—marriage, a house, a daughter—make it the right time.
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Ken Goldin "gave me a deal I could not refuse."
"Luckily for me, I heavily invested in Pokémon and this card was my heaviest investment. I spent $5.3 million for it back in 2022."
—Logan Paul [02:09]
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2. Pokémon's Unbeatable Status in Collectibles
- Cultural Staying Power (03:41–04:06):
Logan explains why Pokémon dominates:-
Pikachu is immune to real-world scandals or injury that can sink athlete values.
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Pokémon is "the most beloved, most famous character of all time," and the franchise is the top-grossing ever.
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It sits at the intersection of "community, culture, and collectibles."
"Pikachu can't tear his ACL. Pikachu won't whip out a Glock on Instagram Live and get his brand destroyed overnight... Pokémon is the highest grossing franchise of all time."
—Logan Paul [03:44]
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3. Collector Psychology: Nostalgia, Status, and Emotion
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Evolution of Collectors (04:16–06:03):
Ken discusses how the aging Pokémon and sports card fan base now has money to spend on their childhood obsessions.-
Collectibles are "history," "capture moments in time," and provide "instant gratification."
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He describes his business as "selling happiness."
"People have a crappy day at work... but they go home and they look at their collection and it makes them happy."
—Ken Goldin [05:51]
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Emotional Highs and Lows (06:03–06:23):
Logan jokes about losing auctions to celebrities like Drake, highlighting the passion and rivalry among collectors."He sells happiness until you lose the auction against Drake."
—Logan Paul [06:03]
4. What Makes a Collectible Valuable?
- Logan's Philosophy (06:43–07:50):
Logan values "best in class assets" across a variety of interests—from Wayne Gretzky’s game stick to dinosaur skulls.-
Importance of having items tied to "generational icons."
"For me, it's best in class assets. What is something that I can buy that is captivating in a way, and my interests are vast, that is the best in the world."
—Logan Paul [06:45]
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5. The Thrill, the Risk, and the Reality of Collecting
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The Chase and its Thrills (08:14–09:07):
Logan and Ken describe the emotional ride of card hunting:-
The process includes extreme highs (the "hit") and tolerable lows ("the chase for a reason").
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Opening card packs is compared to "a game of failure"—most boxes disappoint, not all cards are valuable.
"Part of collecting is sometimes winning and sometimes losing. That's the name of the game."
—Logan Paul [08:37]
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Card Grading & Value (09:07–10:12):
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Even when a valuable card is pulled, its grade ultimately determines value.
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Only 5-15% of cards get a perfect "10" grade.
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Slight imperfections (whitening, blemishes) can dramatically drop a card’s value, which surprises newcomers.
"Even if you hit the card in the box, which is not very likely, you have to hope it gets graded a 10... You would be shocked."
—Logan Paul [09:38]
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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On the unique value of Pokémon:
"Pikachu can't tear his ACL... He's the most beloved, most famous character of all time."
—Logan Paul [03:41] -
On the collector’s mindset:
"These collectibles are... history. And when you own something like that, it brings instant gratification. It brings instant recognition."
—Ken Goldin [05:16] -
Collector rivalry exposed:
"I was bidding on a Bob Ross against Drake. I didn't realize it was Drake. And I was like, this person is outbidding me. Who is this?"
—Logan Paul [06:06] -
The thrill of the chase:
"Opening up boxes sometimes is a game of disappointment because not every box is going to have the ... Willy Wonka golden ticket."
—Ken Goldin [08:47]
Key Timestamps
- 01:13 — Guests introduced: Ken Goldin and Logan Paul
- 01:51 — Logan discusses timing and personal reasons for selling the Pikachu Illustrator
- 03:41 — Why Pokémon dominates collectibles
- 04:16 — Ken on sports vs. Pokémon collectors
- 05:51 — "I sell happiness": Ken on emotional value
- 06:03–06:14 — Collector rivalry: Logan vs. Drake
- 06:45 — Logan’s view on "best in class assets"
- 08:14 — The thrill (and reality) of card collecting
- 09:38 — Card grading: The fine line between nine and ten
- 10:12 — Episode close
Episode Tone & Style
The conversation is lively, candid, and humorous, reflecting both the personalities of the guests and the high-stakes passion of collectors. Logan Paul brings enthusiasm and self-deprecation about his eclectic investment choices, while Ken Goldin frames the collectibles market as driven by nostalgia and the search for joy. The episode demystifies the industry for newcomers while capturing the addictive excitement that keeps collectors chasing the next big find.
This summary covers major themes and moments, providing a comprehensive snapshot for listeners curious about the business—and emotion—in today’s collectibles boom.