Collector Nation – Episode Summary
Episode Title: PSA Pricing, Super Bowl Card Hype & the Vintage Advantage
Air Date: February 13, 2026
Hosts: Ryan Alford & Brian Ludden
Overview
In this episode, hosts Ryan Alford and Brian Ludden dig into the aftermath of the Super Bowl, speculate on the evolving hype cycles for cards, dissect the latest PSA grading price/timing hike, and break down why vintage still rules for savvy collectors. The conversation blends timely market talk, sports banter, hobby insights, and a few memorable stories from behind the counter.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Super Bowl Recap: "The Super Bust"
- Both hosts agree the Super Bowl was a letdown, both as sports fans and in terms of hobby excitement.
- Quote [01:32] Ryan: “I call it the Super Bust. Everything about the super bowl was a bust for me. There was just nothing enjoyable about that whole experience.”
- Quote [01:49] Brian: “I don't even know who Bad Bunny was, and I don't ever need to know who he is. But the game itself was just. It just was not good.”
- Discussion of the Seahawks’ dominant season and Sam Darnold’s performance, highlighting a shift in hobby attention for certain player cards after the game.
- Patriots as underdogs didn’t resonate: “It was hard for me to root for the Patriots as the underdog… That narrative didn't really work for me.” – Ryan [02:17]
2. Super Bowl Card Ripple: Player Prices & Hype
- Sam Darnold’s card prices spiked quick post-Super Bowl.
- Quote [08:23] Ryan: “His [Darnold’s] 2018 Don Russ optic was 260 bucks and now it's 450. Sounds about right. Super bowl pop.”
- Brian [09:01]: “Almost double.”
- The hosts discuss the continued whiplash between card prices and player performance in real-time, emphasizing the speculative nature of modern trading cards.
3. Hobby Calendar: The Transition from Football to Baseball
- The offseason means sports collectors start prepping for baseball releases.
- Ryan [09:02]: “2026 Tops Baseball is releasing this week...this is like the first thing not only with the hobby, but sort of baseball in general.”
- Noting Topps’ 75th anniversary and ongoing product innovations, such as vintage-inspired card designs and celebrity/athlete autos.
4. PSA Grading: Price & Timing Increases
- The hosts break down PSA’s new pricing—higher fees and longer wait times.
- Quote [10:47] Ryan: “When you rule your own world, you can set all the rules...it's fascinating to me what they're being allowed to do in this industry without much scrutiny.”
- Business logic of price increases: If demand outpaces supply, raising prices is expected.
- Brian [11:29]: “Everyone does. If there's more demand and you have supply, prices go up.”
- Real concern is turnaround time for modern cards:
- Brian [13:26]: “Instead of raising the prices, the biggest thing is the turnaround because these cards every week…are doubling in price and having in price... I would be more concerned about the turnaround time.”
- The futility of grading non-10 modern cards:
- Quote [12:29] Ryan: “If you get an eight and it's modern, crack it because it's worth less than raw.”
5. Vintage Cards: The Steady Play
- Unanimous faith in vintage graded cards as lower risk and more predictable in value.
- Ryan [13:51]: “If you're grading vintage, it's a no brainer… even a 3,4,5,6,7 is worth more. Way more than raw.”
- Brian [14:29]: “There's less pressure. It's like buying a bond instead of a stock.”
- Mention of Ken Golden’s upcoming (2/24) appearance to reinforce vintage as the "safe long-term bet":
- Ryan [16:23]: “Vintage baseball especially. But vintage anything is a safe bet. Long term, short term, everything.”
- The dangers of altered vintage: trimming and authentication are discussed, but grading is usually worthwhile for vintage.
6. Big Sales & Market Trends
- Notable sale: Michael Jordan 2003-04 UD Exquisite Collection Logoman 1/1 auto sells for $800,000.
- Ryan [17:59]: “A signed Michael Jordan trading card told for 800,000. 800,000 big ones.”
- Brian [19:19]: “They’ll make money. That’s a 3 million dollar card in 10 years. Maybe not in that long. It's Michael Jordan.”
- Discussion of investor funds entering the high-end card market and the possible impact of “herd mentality” pricing.
- Pokemon’s market growth:
- Bella [19:54]: “Pokemon over the last two years has outperformed gold and the S&P 500.”
7. Personal Rips, Stories, and Card Shop Realities
- Ryan’s late-night rip: pulls a gold Mega Lucario, reflecting on the fun (and pitfalls) of speculative breaking.
- Ryan [20:09]: "You know they say you don't get high on your own supply… I was ripping through some Pokemon last night late."
- Card quickly dropped in price, illustrating volatility even in non-sports cards.
- Friendly banter about card shop temptation and the joy of pulling hits firsthand.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On grading modern cards:
- “If you get an eight and it's modern, crack it because it's worth less than raw.” – Ryan Alford [12:29]
- On vintage vs. modern:
- “There's less pressure. It's like buying a bond instead of a stock.” – Brian Ludden [14:29]
- On the PSA pricing change:
- “When you rule your own world, you can set all the rules… it's fascinating to me what they're being allowed to do in this industry without much scrutiny.” – Ryan Alford [10:47]
- On appreciating big pulls and market lessons:
- “Kids listening, you know, with speculation, opportunity, and risk combined with a little stupidity and beer, you too can rip a card of your dreams.” – Ryan Alford [22:01]
- On market psychology:
- “When it becomes a herd mentality and there's too many of them, they tend to move the prices up too much and, and kind of stifle what their return would be.” – Brian Ludden [18:22]
Important Timestamps
- Super Bowl & hobby wrap-up: 01:32–04:45
- Sam Darnold card spike: 08:23–09:02
- Upcoming releases (Topps 2026, V Friends, etc.): 09:02–11:29, 17:22
- PSA pricing & process discussion: 10:47–13:26
- Value of vintage cards: 13:51–16:44
- High-end market discussion (Jordan card, funds): 17:59–19:19
- Pokemon outperforming gold: 19:54–20:01
- Personal pulling stories and hobby reflections: 20:09–22:01
Tone & Atmosphere
Friendly, candid, and loaded with insider hobby knowledge; the hosts blend playful banter (“I might have kicked your ass right there” – Ryan to Brian [08:13]) with honest analysis, making it clear they live and breathe the collector lifestyle.
For Collectors Who Missed the Episode
Expect sharp commentary on hot market topics (PSA, Super Bowl fallout, release calendars), plenty of practical hobby advice—especially on grading strategies—and a seasoned perspective on why vintage cards still shine in a volatile, hype-driven market. Plus, you’ll get a dose of hobby storytelling and a sneak peek at future guests and products coming soon.