Podcast Episode Summary

The Untold Story: Licensing Art for Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods & Muhammad Ali with Justyn Farano

Podcast: Trading Cards & Collectibles Podcast
Host: Ryan Alford (Radcast Network)
Guest: Justyn Farano (Sports & Pop Culture Fine Artist)
Date: December 2, 2025

Main Theme / Purpose

This episode explores the intersection of art, collectibles, and sports through the lens of acclaimed artist Justyn Farano. Farano shares the story behind his career painting legendary athletes (Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Muhammad Ali, Ken Griffey Jr.), the challenges and intricacies of licensing artwork, the business of collectibles, and his evolving focus on icons from across sports, music, and entertainment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Essence of True Collectibles: Art vs. Cards

• Scarcity & Uniqueness:
  • Host Ryan Alford spotlights original paintings as the “truest, scarcest collectibles” compared to mass-produced trading cards.
  • Both agree hand-painted art, with visible brushwork and creative interpretation, offers unmatched authenticity and emotional resonance.
  • Quote:

    “True art, like what you do, is the true, scarcest collectible on earth because it's your hand, one, there's an original.”
    — Ryan Alford [08:06]

2. The Artistic Process & Style

• Technique & Storytelling:

  • Farano aims for work where “you feel this is a painting and art that you're looking at, not just the technical side.”
  • Known for adding depth, layering, and narrative elements—rarely just photorealism.
  • Quote:

    “You want something creative that really wows and hits the collector a special way.”
    — Justyn Farano [00:16]

• AI, NFTs, and Modern Art:

  • Farano discusses the AI/artificial image surge and how digital “art” lacks the depth and humanity of traditional painting.
  • He sees AI and NFT booms leading to market oversaturation—making genuine, hand-crafted art even more valuable.
  • Quote:

    “There's this fine line of not losing the artist side to things...I do think there's going to be a lot of things that are just going to fall because there's so much of it.”
    — Justyn Farano [07:05]

3. The Business of Licensing & Building a Brand

• Breaking Into Licensing:
  • Getting rights to depict icons is challenging—Farano credits early deals with Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and Muhammad Ali as breakthroughs giving him industry credibility.
  • The legal/contractual work (“NIL agreements”) is managed by his team, so he can focus on art.
  • Quote:

    “There's a lot more involved than just creating art when you get into something like this.”
    — Justyn Farano [11:16]

4. From Childhood Passion to Career

• Sports as Muse:
  • Farano grew up obsessed with sports, drawing athletes and watching ESPN and WGN. Baseball was his major passion.
  • He describes art and sports as his “two passions as a kid.”
  • Quote:

    “Watching Michael Jordan on TV... seeing the highlights and what some of these athletes could do is just incredible. And then try to, you know, put it on paper…”
    — Justyn Farano [09:58]

5. Notable Collaborations & Memorable Moments

• Working With Ken Griffey Jr.:
  • Griffey Jr. personally requested and purchased his own original Farano painting, which was a career milestone and personal “full circle” moment for the artist.
  • Farano conducted his first sit-down interview as part of the deal, learning humility and preparation in front of a childhood idol.
  • Quote:

    “It actually broke out into how we structured our agreement... I did a sit down interview with him at his house and we talked about the art. It was nervous doing it the first time... but it gave me a new outlook.”
    — Justyn Farano [14:19]

6. Artistic Method & The Importance of Layering

• Creative Process:
  • Image searching and storyboarding precede painting; each piece must connect broadly with collectors, incorporating key themes, moments, or nicknames.
  • Extensive layering and texture go into each piece—viewers may think a painting is “done” at 20%, but the depth builds over time.
  • Quote:

    “When you actually see the progression of where that was to where it gets...that is the difference, really, with my work.”
    — Justyn Farano [16:53]

7. Evolving Focus: From Regional to Global Icons

• Looking Ahead:
  • Farano’s current goal: securing licensing for universally recognized icons—whether athletes (Messi, Ronaldo), movie legends (Al Pacino, Schwarzenegger), or musicians.
  • Entering the movie/entertainment space with a Godfather II piece (licensed with Al Pacino and Paramount Pictures).
  • He seeks to keep his unique flair, even on more literal iconic scenes, aiming for timeless impact.
  • Quote:

    “I want to be getting into as big icons that there can be... not just in the main four sports...timeless and iconic.”
    — Justyn Farano [25:06]

8. The Power and Future of Physical Art

• Physicality & Tactility:
  • The host contrasts Farano’s art attracting crowds amid a “sea of sameness” in trading card shows—kids and adults are drawn to the real, large-format paintings and the tactile nature of the medium.
  • Farano’s kids (and clients' kids) may not always grasp the significance, but the sense of legacy remains strong.

9. Collectibles Industry, Modern Trends, and Advice

• On Special Edition Cards:

  • Discussed the possibility of producing Justin Farano trading cards, but Farano prefers his current large-format, one-of-one approach.
  • He’s open to special projects but wants to “build off what I’m currently doing” rather than go into mass-produced card art.
  • Quote:

    “I think it’s a compliment though to what I'm already... already built.”
    — Justyn Farano [24:36]

• On AI, NFTs, and Art Value:

  • Farano predicts hand-made fine art will only grow in value as AI/digital works proliferate:

    “I think it's going to drive up the top tier and then... all that other stuff that's overdone is going to draw out and devalue—the cream rises.”
    — Justyn Farano [29:45]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On What Makes His Art Stand Out:

  “It was unmistakably Josh Allen, but there was clear markings, art, creativity, motion, fluidity that made it artistic.”
  — Ryan Alford [05:55]

• On Licensing & Credibility:

  “As I was able to get some of those big names, that helped me have the name and who I had worked with to help other deals—it gave credibility.”
  — Justyn Farano [11:02]

• On Gratitude and Legacy:

  “You don't see my art really on the secondary market much because people have a genuine connection to it.”
  — Justyn Farano [08:55]

Key Timestamps

• 00:00 - 01:39 – Art vs. Cards: The scarcity of original art
• 05:00 - 08:10 – Style & the impact of AI/NFT trends on real art
• 09:51 - 11:40 – Childhood inspiration and entering the sports-art business
• 14:18 - 16:04 – Collaborating with Ken Griffey Jr.; process for originals
• 18:47 - 19:38 – Layering, texture, and the importance of seeing art in person
• 21:15 - 22:44 – Injecting creativity into entertainment/movie subject matter
• 23:21 - 24:36 – Special edition trading cards and why Farano stays true to fine art
• 25:03 - 27:22 – Future plans: universal icons, entertainment, and broadening audience
• 29:01 - 29:51 – The future of collectibles: “the cream rises” amid AI and oversupply
• 30:06 - End – Where to find Farano’s work; closing thoughts

Where to Find Justyn Farano

• Website: faranofineart.com
• Social Media: @faranofineart

Summary prepared to capture the rich discussion and insights for both collectors and fans of artistry in the hobby space.