Adult Prices, Kid Culture: Where the Card Hobby Is Headed in 2026

Summary

Collector Nation – Episode Summary
Podcast: The Radcast Network
Episode: Adult Prices, Kid Culture: Where the Card Hobby Is Headed in 2026
Date: January 2, 2026
Host: Ryan Alford with guest (son) Hudson

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Episode Overview

This episode explores the evolving landscape of the trading card hobby approaching 2026, emphasizing the generational gap in collecting, the impact of soaring prices, and the shifting cultural dynamics influenced by youth participation. Host Ryan Alford is joined by his teenage son Hudson, offering both an "old guard" and next-gen perspective as they rip 2025 Donruss Football blasters on air, debate favorite cards and events, discuss retail vs. hobby, and envision the near-future for collectors, especially as industry giants like Topps and Panini face a new era.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Generational Divide in Card Collecting

• The hobby is described as having "adult price, but sort of youth driven” (00:02 & 05:00).
• Ryan comments: “A lot of old guys that base a lot of decisions on assuming they know how it is. And the world's changed quite a bit.” (00:04, 05:00)
• Hudson reflects on growing up with modern cards versus “all those vintage baseball and all that cool stuff” that older collectors cherish (11:30).

2. Origins of Their Card Journey

• Alford family got back into collecting due to his sons' interest—“my four boys kind of pulled me back into the hobby, I think accidentally a bit” (03:25).
• The progression from a kitchen-table activity to launching a sports podcast and nearly opening a shop:

  “It started from opening just at our table, and now we're doing all podcasts.” (03:01)
  “We’ve almost started a card shop with what we ripped last year.” (08:30)

3. Modern Collecting: Ripping for Entertainment

• Ripping packs is now “as much about the entertainment as it is about collecting” (00:33, 21:20, 22:01), tying in the wider social and content creation trends.
• “The act of opening is much about the entertainment than anything else.” – Ryan (22:02)

4. In-Depth: 2025 Donruss Football Blaster Box Review (05:27–10:56)

• Live pack rips with discussion on:
  • The proliferation of base cards: “There’s a 90s group called the Ace of Bass, and this box is the Ace of base. It’s got so much base in it.” – Ryan (05:52)
  • Relative lack of hits vs. high retail price.
• Grading: Hudson gives the blaster a “seven out of ten” among retail blasters for “good inserts, but so much base” (24:32–24:57).

5. The Value Paradox for Kids Collecting (25:14–26:36)

• Steep prices are driving the hobby away from most kids:

  “Everything's gotten real expensive... the average kid can't afford a hobby box.” – Ryan (25:33)

• Value-ceiling dilemmas:

  “If I told you you could get hobby boxes for a hundred bucks but the highest value card in there is a hundred dollars possible... I don't know where the balance is.” – Ryan (26:03)

6. Card Show Experience: National vs. Fanatics Fest (16:34–18:22)

• Hudson prefers “the National” for sheer card variety, but “Fanatics Fest” had a broader entertainment experience.
• “If you're into cards and collecting, it's like the greatest candy store of all time.” – Ryan (17:55)

7. Hobby Content & Live Selling

• Discussion on platforms like Whatnot and the new role of live breaks in the hobby:
  • Initial excitement at being able to “Watch people like buy cards online... a great place to start if you’re not [in person]” – Hudson (19:12)
  • Gradual move back to in-person collecting as experience and preferences mature.

8. Desirability of Inserts & Patch Cards (SSPs)

• Popularity of high-end inserts such as “Downtown” and “Kaboom” (12:29–12:59).
• Critique of memorabilia cards for not being game-worn:

  “If you're gonna do a patch, it should be game-worn. Otherwise, what's the point?” – Ryan (14:04)

9. The Future and Advice for Card Companies

• For Topps: Show off licensed logos, create innovative high-end inserts (28:01–28:32).
• Both want more creativity and accessible price points for youth without losing value chase.
• Predictions on Panini and the evolution of licensed vs. unlicensed releases (27:56–29:48).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The whole hobby's adult price, but sort of youth driven.”
  – Ryan (00:04, 05:00)

• “Collecting is as much about the media and entertainment as it is about collecting.”
  – Ryan (00:33, 21:20)

• “If you're gonna do patches, make them game worn... Otherwise, what's the point?”
  – Ryan (14:04)

• “If a train goes by while customers are in the store, 10% off one item.”
  – Ryan, on shop fun (10:32–10:56, 26:45)

• “It’s like the greatest candy store of all time.”
  – Ryan, on the National Convention (17:55)

• “If I told you you could get hobby boxes for a hundred bucks but the highest value card in there is a hundred dollars possible... I don't know where the balance is.”
  – Ryan (26:03)

• “Show off that license. Make the players have all the [team] logos showing.”
  – Hudson, advice for Topps (27:21)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:02–05:00: Introduction, generational divide, podcast/blaster store premise.
• 05:27–10:56: Live 2025 Donruss Football Pack Rips, product critique.
• 11:30–13:45: Youth vs. adult collecting culture; desirable cards for kids.
• 14:04–14:47: Memorabilia card authenticity debate.
• 16:34–18:22: National vs. Fanatics Fest show experiences.
• 19:12–20:56: Live selling platforms, digital hobby entry; shift back to in-person.
• 21:20–22:09: The entertainment factor in collecting.
• 24:32–24:57: Donruss Blaster summary/ratings.
• 25:14–26:36: Rising prices & value ceiling for kid collectors.
• 27:21–28:32: Advice for manufacturers (Topps, Panini); future insert hopes.
• 28:41–29:48: License wars and industry predictions.

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Tone and Style

The episode balances a casual, banter-heavy father-son dynamic with genuine analysis and lived experience, combining practical hobby advice with storytelling, humor, and sharp consumer critique. Hudson's youthful perspective keeps it accessible for parents and new collectors, while Ryan's industry awareness roots the conversation in today’s market realities.

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Key Takeaways

• The card hobby is facing an identity crisis: high prices and investment mentality clash with youthful energy and grassroots fun.
• Entertainment value—in both collecting and content creation—is increasingly central.
• Accessibility is a looming concern: Without more affordable, exciting products, the next generation could drift away.
• The innovation race between Topps and Panini in licensed and unlicensed products will shape hobby culture and values for years to come.

Transcript

[A]

Happy New Year.

[B]

Happy new year. 2026.

[A]

It's here. Bond Collector Nation. It's so funny. There was a line that we were looking at, like, topics and stuff. It's the whole hobby's adult price, but sort of youth driven. A lot of old guys that base a lot of decisions on assuming they know how it is. And the world's changed quite a bit. So if you come to Collector Station, by the way, we're making this rule. If a train goes by while customers are in the store, 10% off one item. If the train goes by while you're.

[B]

Here, if Apache you think is like their jersey, like, whenever you see a jersey patch, you're going to be, oh, that's their jersey. But it's not.

[A]

If you're gonna do patches, make them game worn. Collecting is much about the media and entertainment as it is about collecting. We're gonna collect some of these. We might sell some. But the act of opening is much about the entertainment than anything else.

[B]

Yeah, it is.

[A]

And I guess if you got a one.

[B]

10% off.

[A]

Hey, 10% off. If you're here at Collector Station. There it is. 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 Alford. Hello and Happy New Year here on Collector Nation here the first week of January. If you've got those New Year's resolutions, I hope you've stuck with them. However, how many days we are into it. Joined by my good buddy here. He's also known as my son, Hudson. Good to see you, buddy.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

Hey, hey. I can't. I gotta bring the future stars here, you know, I need something to carry this thing. What's up, baby?

[B]

Not much.

[A]

Yeah. Happy New Year. Yeah.

[B]

Happy new year.

[A]

It's 2026. It's here. 2026. When I was a kid, the year 2025 sounded like, you know, outer space, futuristic. How does it feel to be, you know, 14 in 2026?

[B]

I mean, when I was like, speaking of what you said, like, when I was like, 2022, I was like, 2026 sounds so weird. Even though it's not that far off. And now it's here.

[A]

I'm like, oh, wow, it is here.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And guess what? You still got to go to school. Feel a few more years almost out. You're almost there, though.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I remember kind of joking with you when you were in, like, second or third grade. Haha. You got 13, 12 years, whatever it is. 10 more years, not so much, buddy. We got three more.

[B]

Three. Yeah.

[A]

After this, man, it flies by. I've got four boys, Hudson. Strong armed men. Didn't I. He's. He doesn't mind getting on the mic. He might have to take over the podcast for me one day when I'm unable to speak or talk or do anything. Yeah, but we've had a good time collecting. I talked a lot about the four boys and I getting into it a little over probably 18 months ago, a year ago. And that's been a whirlwind, dude. Like.

[B]

Like, it started from, like, opening just at our table, and now we're doing all podcasts.

[A]

Did you think your dad, you know, did you think I was gonna pull it off? Think I was gonna do this once I started talking about it?

[B]

Well, I think. I know you can, but I wasn't sure if you were actually gonna, like. Yeah, yeah.

[A]

Pretty cool, huh?

[B]

I know.

[A]

Top 10 sports show. Oh, yeah.

[B]

That's crazy.

[A]

It's all. It's nuts. You know, how many million people could be listening to this at some time? At some point in the archives, by the time it get, you know, total plays, like, in the history, it'll probably be millions, like, 10 years from now. That's the thing about podcasts, to kind of live forever. So don't mess it up. I'm just kidding. I'm really making him feel comfortable. The. No, he. He's easy. We've had a good time. So I've talked a little bit about it. If you're listening for the first time, you're going, all right, what's going on here? So, I mean, my four boys kind of pulled me back into the hobby, I think accidentally a bit. Yeah, we. I don't remember exactly.

[B]

It was like Hogan got into collecting, like, basketball cards. He's like, look at all these cards I got my. His dad gave him a bunch of baseball cards. And then it's like, oh, cool.

[A]

And then, like, we went to a store and we're like, let's buy some packs.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I was like, yo, you want to buy some packs? Okay, let's buy some packs. And $100,000 later. And I don't know, we opened a lot of packs every about six months. I mean, more hobby boxes, retail boxes. There wasn't a box we didn't like.

[B]

No, no.

[A]

Equal opportunity.

[B]

Some cards, though, or like, some boxes have, like, loads of base cards in them.

[A]

Oh, yeah, I know. We're actually gonna While we're talking. So if you're listening, you should be viewing. If you're viewing and you're in the car, you can listen. But yeah, we're gonna open a few. While we're talking. In the midst of this, we're gonna talk a few topics. So not gonna be the hey, what card you like. We're gonna try to keep kind of interesting. We'd always do a little bit of the business angle. And I think it's. It's so funny. There was a line that as we were looking at, like, topics and stuff. It's the whole hobby's adult price, but sort of youth driven and a lot of old guys that base a lot of decisions on assuming they know how it is. And the world's changed quite a bit.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But what hadn't changed is the fun of Chase. So we're open to 20, 25 donruss football.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

What would you. Is this the heaviest blaster box you've ever put your hands on?

[B]

Probably. I mean, there's a blaster. This. This I would understand like a hobby box, but 90 cards.

[A]

It's like a full set of cards almost like in the blaster.

[B]

I wish I would feel this. This thing is heavy. Holy cow.

[A]

There was a 90s group called the Ace of bass, and this. This box is the Ace of base. It's. It's got so much bass in it. Downtown. Downtown on air would be awesome, though.

[B]

That would be crazy.

[A]

I mean, let's be honest. That's what you're chasing.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So we're just going to kind of talk and rip at the same time. So you. Yeah, we can. We can. We can walk and chew gum at the same time. That's for sure. First of everybody, had a great holiday. Wherever you are, whenever you're listening, hope you got everything you wanted. We're here at Collector station and you can visit us the. @the CollectorNation.com and then you'll see a button for Collector station so you can see stuff that we have in the store. Should be live by the time this goes. If it doesn't, you get a. Under construction. You just wait. Oh, we got our first hit.

[B]

Yeah. First rookie TJ Sanders.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Defensive tackle for the Bills.

[A]

There we go. That's good.

[B]

We got Carson Schwessinger.

[A]

I really like him.

[B]

Rookie from the two rated rookies, the Browns. And we got.

[A]

How many rated rookies? How many do they get?

[B]

I don't know.

[A]

You think about how many brackets.

[B]

There's like a gold card, like a I think that's Michael Parsons.

[A]

I do think we've, we opened some mega boxes.

[B]

Michael Parsons in his Cowboys uniform.

[A]

Interesting.

[B]

Okay, I haven't changed it yet. Taysom Hill, James Connor.

[A]

Ooh.

[B]

Travis Kelsey, Kelsey. And then we got Caleb Johnson on the rookies card. It looks like it's gold but it's.

[A]

Just because the Steelers, the Steelers players always get you. Yeah, like oh, it's gold. One of a million.

[B]

Yeah, like yeah, not then Theo Johnson.

[A]

Oh, Theo.

[B]

Josh Hines Allen, Jaguars.

[A]

Nice.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Hudson's a Jaguars fan. We're all Jaguars fans.

[B]

San Laura. Another Jags. Gabe Davis. Davis, NFL reporter.

[A]

You got enough base cards there to I don't know. Funny make a whole, you know, kids school.

[B]

If there's 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 trees, there's 12 like non rookie bases in a pack. How many?

[A]

Hey, if you're set collecting that's like if you're, if you're into putting sets together which I don't know if kids, the kids still do that.

[B]

Not really but these two with like back in the day.

[A]

I see a bunch of old men putting together at shows.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But if you are Blasters are where you want to go.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Because you're going to be able to, you're going to be able to put a whole set together.

[B]

Three blasters, about every base card you need. So yeah, blasters great for collecting, getting all the cards. But if you're chasing hits, probably not the way to go. Unless you're lucky.

[A]

Hudson, we ripped a lot of cards and I think I know what you're going to answer but yeah, and we've got a lot. We've almost started a card shop with what we ripped last year.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

That's how many we ripped. They're actually good too.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

What's the best card you remember?

[B]

Pulling, pulling, pulling, pulling. Gosh, we've opened so much.

[A]

Not maybe me but like you in your pack.

[B]

Okay. So last year this was like really late at night. We were just ripping like tops. Finest like one of those.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

Boxes and I pulled a Bonix rookie something signatures out of 50 autograph from Bo Nicks. Unlicensed though because it was tops. Yeah, only if it was licensed but.

[A]

It'S still like at the time like 5 or 600 I think. Yeah, it was up there.

[B]

I think we sold it for around three or four. Yeah three or four.

[A]

We didn't have much affinity to him. I'm going through my pack here. Jonathan Mingo on the red press proof behind it. Jaden Higgins. He's been in Every pack of 25 I've opened. Jaden Higgins. I don't know why. And is that just.

[B]

You see that?

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

Quality control is pretty bad on these.

[A]

On press proofs, it's always terrible. Green and reds are terrible. You can see every white speck could see that. But yeah, Jaden Higgins. Rated rookie.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Josiah Stewart. Never heard of him.

[B]

Me neither.

[A]

I'm sure he's a great player.

[B]

Yeah. On the Rams.

[A]

Lots of baseball. Not gonna call out every player. You just know that we've got half a set put together now. And there you have it.

[B]

Yep. Holy.

[A]

Your pack was better than mine, but.

[B]

Yeah. Cool.

[A]

Look at. I mean, you got a. This is a game of rummy. I mean, like. Yeah. I don't even know what to do with all that heavy. Oh, wow. Motorcycles going by, adding to the effects here. That's why it is collector station. We do have a tr.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Train tracks right there as part of the ambiance. So if you come to collect your station. By the way, we're making this rule. I don't know if you heard this, Hudson. If a train goes by while customers are in the store, 10% off one item. If the train goes by while you're here. So there you have. We are building out the store. Hey, this look a pretty good stock over there. See lots of cards and.

[B]

And some. And some already open cards.

[A]

Yeah, we got pretty good. I mean. Yeah, I started like a story here. That's how you going to be experienced. So when you. If you come to collect your station, be ready for a camera to turn on. We're going to be listening to me like Pawn Stars. We like. Hey, especially if you come to make a deal. Turning that baby on. It's going on YouTube.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

So be ready. I'm ready. Make some deals. Buy, sell, trade, baby.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

Yep. So let's talk about this. Put this down. You really like the first generation that never knew what it really used to be like, because you've grown up at a different timetable.

[B]

It's like y' all grew up with all those vintage baseball and all that, all that cool stuff, and then now ours, we grew up with the modern, all that. So it's.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So we have, like, a different perspective.

[A]

There's a gap, I think, between what adults collect and what kids care about. I mean, would you. Do you agree with that? You've been to enough shows now and walked around. Do you see that?

[B]

Yeah. Like, the older people that used that collected for years and Years. You go to their table, they'll have like some modern, but it's a lot of it. Most of the time it's vintage cars that they've been collecting forever.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

But if. And then if you go to, like, I don't know, younger people's younger booths, you'll have more modern cards there. And. Yeah.

[A]

What do. What do kids actually, you know, we had. We did a video about PSA and their perspective there. I mean, what cards are kids flexing versus maybe what's valuable or are they one in the same?

[B]

I feel like it's. A lot of it is the same, but sometimes it's like. Like I would say like downtowns and kabooms are like the moon. Like, they're expensive and they're cool, and it's kind of like the flex, the SSP of the set. But then some cars, like, I would say, I don't know, like stained glass, like from Mosaic. It's like, not like kaboom, downtown level, but it's still like an ssp. And I think that's. It's really cool car and like, show it off too.

[A]

Yeah, it's still an ssp.

[B]

I think I got a thick card.

[A]

Oh, not a MEM card.

[B]

Anderson, Saquon, Barkley.

[A]

See what we got.

[B]

Green Mike Williams, Jackson dart. Rookie.

[A]

Rookie.

[B]

And we got. When you were.

[A]

Hey, he started quarterback starting. Yep. For.

[B]

And I think this is it. Yep. We got Chuba Hubbard on the patch card.

[A]

Nice.

[B]

Two great rookies and a little.

[A]

Little Chuba.

[B]

Yeah, not Chuba.

[A]

Chuba.

[B]

Chuba Hubbard.

[A]

Yeah. All these would be for sale on Collector Nation, the CollectorNation.com under Collector Station. Anything that's a value that we pull while we're sitting here.

[B]

Yeah, I wish they would make these. Like, I know that they can't make them all game war.

[A]

They ought to just be gameborn, though. Let's just call it. Yeah, this is. Hey, your daddy owns the radcast. We speak our mind. You say what you mean, mean what you say. So let's just say it, say it, say it the way you want to say it every. If you're gonna do a patch, it.

[B]

Should be because, like, if a patch you think is like their jersey. Like, whenever you see a jersey patch, you're gonna be like, oh, that's their jersey. But it's not. It's just authentic. Memorial is not from a specific game or event. Which is what I think of is basically they just grab.

[A]

Because otherwise why does it matter? It was not. What's the point? Oh, it's a piece of cloth in.

[B]

The card if it's not getting worn. What I think of is like they go to a two piece of cloth, cut a square out and just glue it in a card just to make it just so they can have. You're guaranteed a cool, you know, patch card, but it's really not that much. Like some of them are really cool. But just the blue though.

[A]

Yeah. If you're gonna do patches, make them game worn or at least player worn or player. It was definitively the player's jersey or something. Like not just, I don't know, some random extra cloth they had in the factory that may or may not have ever, ever seen a jersey.

[B]

Yeah, that's what. Yeah.

[A]

Two rookies here, Savion Williams and Devin Neal. I'm sure they're great players, but again, have you heard of those guys?

[B]

No.

[A]

And we watch a lot of football. Yeah. So. But I will say who I've heard of. Travis Etienne.

[B]

That's my guy.

[A]

And you're definitely going to have heard all this bass is like falling off. I have nowhere to put it. I mean, look, trash is on the table. It's crazy. 2020, I've done just like four packs right here. Like if you want to open a lot of stuff, if you want a lot of cards, if you enjoy a lot of cards, this is the box to get.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But I will say I do think they did a good job with this particular. What do you call it, parallel or. I don't know, the look. Travis Hunter, bomb squad.

[B]

That's my looking.

[A]

Yeah. This year's bomb squad. Joel and our team in editing can probably zoom that in a bit. Nice card.

[B]

I like those Jaguars. He's my, my guy. Unfortunately he's out for the rest of the season.

[A]

I'd say that's my favorite card we've gotten yet.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, I think it looks better than last year's.

[A]

I do too.

[B]

Some of the cards though, those actually.

[A]

Look like an SSP to a degree. If they, if that had some like gold. Yeah. Gold accents, shimmer, little.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Little hollow effect. You. They could make that an ssp.

[B]

Yeah. That's really cool.

[A]

I might have to, you know, take that design and make something with it. Yeah, that'd be cool. There we go. Lots of bass though.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So other you've been to national? We went to Fanatics Fest. We're going to be doing both again this year, by the way.

[B]

Oh, cool.

[A]

Which one did you like better?

[B]

So cards wise, I think I preferred the national just because It's. That's the main thing is National Trading Card Convention. But the fanatics fest. The, like. I don't know how to say it, but, like, the experience there, I think was better because there was more than just cars. There's a lot of other stuff that you could do, but, like, entertainment. Still. The cards, they were cool. Like, I saw like, a $300,000 lamina mall one of one crazy rookie card.

[A]

So if you only could do one.

[B]

Oh, that's hard. I mean, I'd probably choose the national again just because I think there was a lot more selection of cards. And that's kind of what we went for.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like 10 offend access. Now it was just cars and I think cards in general. I would rather be in a space with more cards and more.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like, attractions and all that. Yeah.

[A]

I mean, it was a sea of cards.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

I mean, it was like a fire hose.

[B]

Entire floor was just like.

[A]

I was like, oh, my God. You almost didn't know where to go.

[B]

People, like, had these, like, walls built up in their booths that had cards laid on all of.

[A]

But it really is like, if you're into cards and collecting, it's like the greatest candy store of all time.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

It's like you never that. Never.

[B]

And some people sell more than just cards. Like, some people sell, like, comic books. I've seen, like, a ton of stuff. And last year, I actually bought from this guy. He sells those, like, card. The psa, sgc, all those card, like, rubber sleeves that go around it, which I bought. Some of those are pretty cool.

[A]

Talk to me about. We got one more package there, I think. One more each.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Breaking and whatnot and, you know, live selling. That's something that absolutely was. Is new to this generation.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And it's changed the whole game. These guys, it's like. It's where all the biggest hits seem to come from. You know, when we got into it, all about ripping and hanging out, family time, having fun, then we kind of, you know, as we started collecting, we started doing the breaking thing. We did some of our own.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And then. But we watched a lot. You guys got into buying it, but you guys have kind of fallen a little out of that. So talk maybe on two sides. 1. Overall, what you think about it now, sitting here, and then why you think you've kind of come and gone with it.

[B]

So, like, when I first came to the. Like, we got into the hobby, I figured out about whatnot, and I was like, oh, cool. It's like a face you can Watch people like buy cards online. And I was like, cool. It's a great place to start if you're not like a lot of what I'm trying to say is you don't. A lot of the hobby now doesn't start with like going to like a card shop or going in person. You can like start like collecting online without even going anywhere.

[A]

You're watching them come through. You can generally know if they're decent value. You can buy them low or high.

[B]

Speaking on that, the reason like that I've kind of like not use it as much as I think it was a great starting thing to get a bunch of like starting cards and all that. But now that I've kind of got my collection built up a little bit, I kind of like okay, it's cool still. But I probably won't go over there and buy it just because like shipping prices and all that just. I would rather come to like a store in person or something.

[A]

Yeah. It was a good way to enter in.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Then now you know where the experience and I think here's what surprised me. You know, we watched and maybe it's just the way things kind of come and go. It'll come back around. I probably watch more than you guys do now.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like as far as like you know, Pac man or Kyle shout out to King of cards.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

He's been great. Oh yeah. And the watching people open either open packs or doing deals and. And being at shows we, you guys, I'd see all on your phones. That's all you watched.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You know, we'd have it on the tv.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Seems like it kind of comes and goes now. Is it just like one of those interest things? Like it might come back around. Right now you're just into other things.

[B]

I think that's probably what it is because when we first started collecting we were like all we did was kind of watch this stuff. And then like now that we're kind of in like transition from like really collecting more and then like kind of building a space for the card shop and everything, it's kind of slowed down. But I think once everything's like come together and like card shops finished, everybody's collecting again. I think it'll come.

[A]

Yeah, I think you're right.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

It better. Kidding. I'll be here all along. I'm just kidding. The. But it's. It's interesting and I think it's like where collecting, you know is. Is much about the media and entertainment as it is about collecting.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You know, like a Lot of people, like older people, like they're collecting a player.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And it's like, how can I keep this archive of all this stuff? And you know, you've got stuff that you might keep forever, but like, it's as much about the entertainment factor. Same thing with like ribbon packs. Like you were sitting here doing this because it's entertaining.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And yeah, we're going to collect some of these. We might sell some.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But the active opening is, is. Is much about the entertainment than anything else.

[B]

Yeah, it is. I mean, it's fun to collect cards, but like where you're getting those cards is opening packs and doing all that and that's kind of where the fun is.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But it's also fun to like buy, sell, trade. That's fun to just like.

[A]

That's why I liked it because teaching you guys like buy low, sell high, you know, like how you make a little money here today.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You guys walked around shows and walked out more money than I had. I know, like, wait a second. Maybe you got it figured out walking.

[B]

Around, made 200 bucks that one show.

[A]

Lots of base here. I don't even see any parallels. I see nothing really. Let's see here. Marian Thomas Jr. Though. Russell Wilson, Josh Simmons on the rookie.

[B]

Drake May on the front.

[A]

Hey, good stuff.

[B]

He's having hot season. Will Howard, Jalen Hurts, Drew Bledsoe.

[A]

Mark Brunel, Bucky Irving. Hey, I spoke too soon. Red hot rookie.

[B]

You know who that is? Alofemi.

[A]

Yeah. I don't know how to pronounce his name though.

[B]

Yeah, he's.

[A]

I don't want to beat it up. Amica Ibuka is hard enough.

[B]

Golden tape.

[A]

He's had a big year for Tampa.

[B]

Oh, yeah. Magba Egg Buka.

[A]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

Golden tape.

[A]

Those are cool looking.

[B]

They did pretty good with their Jerry Snead, Dante David. Ooh, Will Howard on the. On the rookie.

[A]

Those look good.

[B]

The gray is my favorite. It's got a little text.

[A]

We've got a Jackson dart like a canvas.

[B]

Yeah, there we go. Finally got an insert. We Got Justin Jefferson, E.J. speed, Luke Musgrave and Kendre Miller.

[A]

No Downtowns.

[B]

Nope.

[A]

We did get the red hot rookie. Probably. That is the hottest. He's probably win rookie of the year in on offense. He's up there. The rest of them. Yeah, I think we did get.

[B]

Got rookies, bomb squad, red hot rookies and then the Gridiron Kings.

[A]

Jackson dart on the base. So 2025, Don Russ football blaster. We've already opened a mega box. Those Are fun. A lot more hits. You get the Optic previews too.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

One to ten. What do you give the Donrus Blaster considering All Blasters?

[B]

Like Blasters.

[A]

Not compared to like the Mega All Blasters.

[B]

I would give it seven. I enjoy Don Russ a lot.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Because it's coming.

[A]

Inserts are good every year. Yeah. Seven is the right number.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So much bass though.

[B]

Yeah. If they had, if they put more hits like obviously you can't put as too many hits because then you'd probably have to raise the price of the box. But like if there were more hits and maybe less common cards that would be probably higher up in the scale. But yeah.

[A]

So if an executive from Topps was listening, they've got all the licenses. What would you tell them to do from the. From a 14 year old's perspective, do or not to do? Would you tell them? You know, you and I have had this discussion and I've talked about on the show. Everything's gotten real expensive.

[B]

Oh yeah.

[A]

I mean and you know the average kid isn't can't afford a hobby box.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And they might can save up for it get for you know, one for birthday or something. And we've opened some together because your dad's been investing and doing things. But like.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

It's not something you're going to buy in hobby boxes.

[B]

No.

[A]

But at the same time you probably wouldn't get excited about the cards if they didn't have the potential of the value.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like the slippery slip. Right.

[B]

If I get it.

[A]

Yeah. So it's like if I told you you could get hobby boxes for a hundred bucks but the highest value card in there is a hundred dollars possible. Like it's like I don't know where the balance is.

[B]

Yeah. Because like some people like I, I like collecting because it's fun. But some people do it to make money, which is kind of hard and like flipping cards and like all that. But if it were me, I would not be buying that because your ceiling is $100. When you paid $100.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

It's like the best.

[A]

And it might be more than that, but you know what I mean? Relatively. But the ceiling on like even this, if we pulled the hottest rookie downtown. I think they're like two grand right now.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like I, I don't know why they're so much higher than last year, but they are this year. So two grand, I mean. Yeah. And that's a 2530 box. You got that upshot. And I guess if you got a 1% off. Hey, 10% off here at collector station. There it is. The train rolling in. Hey, it's on brand, though. Yeah. So I don't know, but anything you tell Tops Rep what they should or shouldn't do. Tops Rep now they get all the licenses for the. For the most popular sports.

[B]

I would say, like, show off that license. Like, make the players have their. All the Lego showing. Like, kind of use that to your advantage. Like, Panini's gonna start trying to hide all the. Like, have the photos on the cards. That's trying to, like, obviously you can't. You won't be able to see it, but trying to, like, make it look like it's still there. But I want, like, Tops to, like, really get the logos in there. I don't know. Yeah, just show them off.

[A]

Do you think? I think they got to get busy and we'll see. It's been weird because there's been no Tops. Unlicensed football out.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

This year. Last year they had it out. They decided not to even make it.

[B]

Oh, wow.

[A]

Till next year.

[B]

Oh, cool.

[A]

So the first football will be interesting, I think, you know, they need to make some inserts, like, you gotta. With no kabooms and no downtowns that are licensed. Yeah. I want to see some cool art, like, SSP stuff.

[B]

Yeah. Like, again, stained glass. Like, those are really cool. Those are creative. Yeah.

[A]

And I mean, I know. I mean, they have some stuff, but. But, you know, like, Alter ego is kind of like, you know, I know it's valuable, but.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I don't know. And I know it's like familiarity breeds, you know, you know, downtown. So you like downtown. But I need to get wowed by something.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You know, like, wow, that is cool. Cool idea.

[B]

And do you think if they don't come up with much stuff, like, we see that there's not much. You think more people will still stick to Panini or they go back? Do they stay?

[A]

It's going to be interesting. You know, I haven't. I've heard a lot of breakers, like, even a lot of people go, well, here's the first and the last Papanini. They have made it sound like Panini's going away and not going to make unlicensed.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I haven't heard or seen any announcement that they are or aren't.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And I would assume that they would be.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

They've been making baseball.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

As crappy as it is. Unlicensed. You know, I mean, I gotta think they're not gonna bail it on football.

[B]

No.

[A]

I don't basketball. I think they'll do unlicensed and I don't know, we'll see what they got up their sleeves.

[B]

Cause if there was no money in making baseball cards, they probably wouldn't keep doing it. But there's something like football thinks they're. I think it's their highest revenue.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like next to basketball, I think stopping isn't very smart. I think they keep going.

[A]

Yeah. It just be interesting how the.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Because plays out. Look how many they almost feel like.

[B]

Barely see his low.

[A]

I know. And look at Will Howard.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I almost feel like they were practicing.

[B]

Yeah. They're like practice.

[A]

They're practicing for like next year because that's. Those could be unlicensed.

[B]

Yeah. You just get rid of the Nike and the New York.

[A]

Yeah. I almost feel like they're teasing a little bit so that next. So there's not this big disconnect next year.

[B]

Like they'll be like it's kind of like a fading in.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like you're still showing it but you're not having it as much. So it kind of.

[A]

It's like maybe it's not like a.

[B]

Jump from like next year.

[A]

No.

[B]

Yes. It's kind of like. No, no, no.

[A]

All over you.

[B]

Like fading in.

[A]

I think there might be.

[B]

But yeah. Just so they don't look as if with the unlicensed or if they come out with it. Guess we'll see.

[A]

Any final thoughts?

[B]

No, I think all good.

[A]

All right, man. Appreciate you coming on. Hey guys, you know where to find us? Oh yeah, the CollectorNation.com. you'll see us on social media. You'll see the boys on my social at Ryan Alford whenever I could strong arm them into being in the videos. No, it's more time playing sports, you know, doing all that homework. Yeah, yeah. That's what it is, you know. But yeah, it's gonna be fun. We're excited. And a little different episode here with Hudson talking what it's like from the 14 year old perspective as we bring Collector Station to life. Oh yeah, it's been fun.

[B]

Excited to see how it's gonna end up.

[A]

Exactly. So you know where to find us. We appreciate you for tuning in. We'll see you next time.

[B]

Happy New year.

[A]

Happy New Year. 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 [e-mail] or follow Ryan on Instagram at Ryan Alford. Now get out there and collect yours.