The Probstein Controversy Explained In Minutes | What Collectors Must Know

Trading Cards & Collectibles Podcast – The Radcast Network
Date: December 5, 2025
Host: Ryan Alford (A)
Co-host: Brian Ludden (B)

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the recent Probstein shill bidding controversy within the trading card community. Hosts Ryan and Brian discuss reactions, implications for the hobby, and what collectors should know moving forward. The episode also covers market trends, innovative approaches to collecting (like advanced scanning), and their usual candid banter about the realities of buying and selling cards.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Humor and Trading Card Losses (00:00–04:18)

• The show kicks off with lighthearted banter about how easy it is to lose money in the hobby.

• Discussion on artistic value versus monetary value in card sets (Kaboom vs. Downtown cards).

• Ryan shows off a custom-designed Josh Allen Kaboom-style print, reflecting the blend of art and collecting.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, take a seat. The magic trick. We're going to turn $500 into nothing." — Ryan (00:38)

2. Listener Engagement and Community Focus (05:57–06:45)

• Ryan encourages listeners to submit their favorite personal pulls, emphasizing the stories behind the cards—not just value.

3. Personal Anecdotes and Hobby Trends (07:12–09:49)

• Casual discussion about football, collecting during the holidays, and which teams and players are hot.

• The hosts muse on the unpredictable NFL season and the market’s reaction to player performances.

  "Trevor's playing good enough. You know, he still makes throws that make your jaw drop, and then he makes throws that make your, you know, your phone drop because you threw it." — Ryan (08:11)

4. The Probstein Controversy Unpacked (10:16–15:52)

Summary of Events and Host Perspectives:

• The episode’s core segment provides a clear post-mortem on the Probstein scandal:

  • Initial confusion was due to limited information during the first reporting.
  • Hosts admit they only learned the full scope (shill bidding and more) after the dust settled.

  “We didn’t know, have the hindsight, the foresight of all of the other things that have come out since. … But since then... the shill bidding, a lot of the other stuff, that's just total and should not be glossed over...” — Ryan (10:24)

Industry Reaction and Collector Psychology:

• Brian notes the hobby’s tendency to “forgive a lot,” referencing how even scandals get swept aside if valued cards are on offer.

• The conversation touches on how collector focus can supersede moral judgment.

  "It's almost like they don't care because they just—the fever for the industry. ...He might be a scumbag or dirtbag for doing that, but I want that card. I don't care who's selling it." — Ryan (12:07)

• The hosts acknowledge a certain inevitability:

  • As long as deals are good, buyers buy regardless of the seller’s reputation.
  • The system somewhat "polices itself," but also leaves room for bad actors.

Mechanics and Motives of Shill Bidding:

• Ryan expresses disbelief at the effort spent on cheating rather than improving business.

• Brian equates cheating in the hobby with old-school college cheating—putting more effort into gaming the system than simply playing by the rules.

  "If they would have worked on their tech more instead of worrying about shill bidding, then yeah, it would have worked." — Brian (13:41)

The Real Impact:

• The hosts role-play how shill bidding can backfire, sometimes resulting in sellers stuck with cards they didn't actually want.

• They ponder whether the gains truly outweigh the risks or effort, ultimately stressing the need for ethical improvement in the industry.

  "Let's be better. Let's create valuable things and tech. ...If you want to know what does this show stand for? Let's try to do better." — Ryan (15:14)

5. Innovations in Collecting: High-Volume Scanning and Market Trends (15:52–20:15)

New Tech & Massive Scanning

• Brief mention of a Ludex user who scanned 19,000 cards in a single day using enterprise hardware.

• The practice reflects both new technology and the evolving marketplace.

  "Get yourself a RICO scanner. ...I go to Goodwill and I buy pallets of cards, and I just throw them in there... and the ones that are over X amount of dollars he takes out and the rest he throws in the garbage." — Brian (17:07)

Market Trends:

• Quarterbacks like Drake May and Caleb Williams are spiking ("up 15%"), showing collector sentiment is closely tied to real-world performance.
• Bryce Young highlighted as a riser; discussion of the dynamic, news-driven nature of the card market.

6. Fallers & The Perils of QB Collecting (20:15–23:57)

• Analysis of quarterbacks whose card prices are falling (Jaden, Trubisky, Fields, Geno Smith).

• Debate over injuries, player style (scrambling vs. pocket passing), and long-term value.

  "Do you remember like RG3? ...First year, they go out, they use all their assets. ...Their team's like, 'hey man, don't run so much because you're gonna get hurt.' And makes them a pocket passer. And that takes away 50% of what they're good at." — Brian (21:02)

• Geno Smith's rookie card volatility is used to illustrate how erratic hobby prices can be—sometimes driven by 'ghost' sales or even shill-bidding.

7. News & Closing Banter (24:45–29:14)

Product Hype and ‘Ripping’ Risks

• Discussion of Topps Chrome Basketball selling out instantly, with Dutch auctions and surging prices as evidence of the hobby’s wild swings.

  "They're doing some Dutch auctions... boxes that started at like 700, 800 retail. Dutch auctioning starting at 35 hundo. ...Like, I don't know. ...These numbers are crazy." — Ryan (25:11)

• Anecdote on busting packs with kids: The joy and pain of chasing value, with jokes comparing card ripping to gambling.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, take a seat. The magic trick. We're gonna turn 500 into nothing." — Ryan (25:54)

• Closing out with talk of Ryan’s upcoming card shop, a “pack bar” concept, and plans for soft and grand openings.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On hobby forgiveness:

  "This industry in general forgives a lot... everyone gets so offended by it... but this is a tough one." — Brian (11:33)

• On shill bidding’s futility:

  "If you outbid yourself... you or your confidant or whoever wins the ... then what did you do? You bought your own thing. Like, that's gotta happen." — Ryan (13:47)

• On the future of collecting:

  "You'll go to Goodwill and you get these cards and you scan them and you'll use technology to help you." — Brian (18:22)

• On the card market's efficiency:

  "This market's very efficient... people mostly get their information from the same source. So there's a continuity." — Brian (19:32)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00–04:18: Banter, personal stories, Kaboom vs. Downtown cards
• 10:16–15:52: In-depth discussion of the Probstein shill bidding scandal
• 15:52–17:56: Mass scanning and embracing tech in the hobby
• 18:30–20:15: Market trends and watcher submissions
• 20:15–23:57: QB fallers, risk and injury in collecting
• 24:45–25:58: News of new releases, Dutch auctions, and the cost of ‘ripping’
• 27:02–29:14: Card shop plans, pack bar, and closing thoughts

Tone & Style

Casual, candid, hobbyist-to-hobbyist. The hosts blend humor with honest analysis, pulling no punches regarding scandal and enthusiast behavior.

Summary Takeaway

This episode supplies a clear-eyed overview of the Probstein shill bidding saga—offering not just the facts, but a true insider’s take on collector psychology, systemic weaknesses, and the enduring allure of cards despite scandal. The hosts encourage the hobby to strive for ethical improvements, while also acknowledging the community’s idiosyncrasies and resilience. If you want a grounded, honest, and occasionally funny perspective on where the collectible industry stands in late 2025, this episode delivers.