Podcast Summary

Episode Overview

Title: Why Trading Cards Are Your Next Investment | Jeremy Aisenberg Interview
Podcast: Trading Cards & Collectibles Podcast (The Radcast Network)
Host: Ryan Alford
Guest: Jeremy Aisenberg, Founder of Talent Brand Labs
Date: September 30, 2025

In this engaging episode, host Ryan Alford welcomes veteran sports marketer and collector Jeremy Aisenberg to the Trading Cards & Collectibles Podcast. The discussion delves into the evolution and explosion of the trading card industry, how collecting uniquely binds fans to sports teams, and why cards are increasingly viewed as both cherished collectibles and serious investments. Jeremy shares stories from his career, insights into the Sports Illustrated Collectibles division, and thoughts about the future of both physical and digital collectibles.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jeremy’s Journey: From Genetics to Sports Branding

• Jeremy’s unconventional start: from a PhD in genetics to a pivotal job in golf business.
  • "I was getting a PhD in genetics and took a leave of absence and ended up working for one of the most influential people in golf. That was a quick PhD in business." — Jeremy [01:45]
• Experience working with David Leadbetter, forming core lessons in overdelivering value and personal branding before the age of social media.
• Agency career at Octagon representing coaches and broadcasters, watching first-hand the influence of golf as a test kitchen for new technologies (e.g., Microsoft HoloLens) and the importance of omnichannel content.

2. Trading Cards as Fandom Infrastructure

• The evolution from kid collector to industry professional:
  • "I stopped collecting... went to college and got married... I woke up and I was 30-something and... right about the time I got to Octagon 2006, 2007, I sort of saw cards lying around the office... I got that itch scratched again." — Jeremy [07:40]
• Collecting as a driver for deeper fan engagement and “stickiness” with sports leagues and teams.

3. Industry Dynamics & Market Evolution

• Big changes thanks to players like Fanatics, Topps, Panini, Upper Deck; expanding the tent for collectors (Fanatics Fest).
• The importance of competition for innovation: "When the licenses were being held by Upper Deck and Topps and Fleer and Donruss in the 90s, it sparked a lot of innovation... Some of the great old vintage insert sets of the late 90s and early 2000s are still among the most collectible cards on the planet." — Jeremy [12:37]

4. The Human Condition and Collecting

• Exploration of the innate desire to collect, the fine line between collecting and hoarding, and the role of collecting as "the ultimate expression of fandom".
  • "35 of us are genetically predisposed to want to collect stuff. Sort of remnants of hunting." — Jeremy [13:30]
• Fandom as an unpolarized cultural space:
  • "Almost every Republican and Democrat in Boston can agree on the fact that they want the Red Sox to kick the crap out of the Yankees." — Jeremy [14:52]

5. Sports Illustrated Collectibles: Building a Hobby Vertical

• How Jeremy led the integration of collectibles into SI's digital offerings, partnering with Authentic Brands and Minute Media.
  • "The si.com domain is one of the oldest and most trafficked in on the Internet... We've built a staff of now over 15 really dedicated, talented writers... up to 750,000 to a million unique views a month... It's the largest by a factor of 10 among hobby content channels." — Jeremy [19:04]
• SI’s focus on celebrating all types of collectors and collections, from vintage cards to unique individual stories.
  • "We're developing, you know, series featuring collectors and really celebrating people's collections." — Jeremy [20:09]
• Nostalgic connection: SI for Kids cards as first appearances for many sports icons and especially significant for women’s sports [21:03–22:06].

6. How Grading Changed the Game

• The shift from skepticism to trust in third-party grading services, which helped fuel the eBay era and wider growth: "Grading serves such an important role in the growth of collecting because of the trust factor that it's injected into what was previously a pretty challenging environment." — Jeremy [23:42–24:25]

7. Digital Collectibles and NFTs: The Next Frontier?

• Cautiously optimistic view on digital collectibles, with blockchain providing trusted chain-of-custody and some real-world applications.
  • "I come back to what is the evolution of the fan experience and how is it actually impacting fans now and how will that change? I think it’s early, early days." — Jeremy [26:13]
• Kids’ engagement in Fortnite skins as a proxy for the rising importance of digital assets [28:49–29:56].
  • "It’s part of youth culture now for sure, is some, some digital expression...there’s a big place for digital stuff in the future of our population." — Jeremy [29:56]
• But physical cards still offer a thrill digital can't quite match:
  • “But I’ll tell you what, there’s nothing like the thrill of opening that physical pack and holding the cards. Call me old school...” — Ryan [30:40]

8. Breaking, Community, and Next-Generation Collectors

• Discussion of live pack breaks, Whatnot channels, and the blending of online/real-world participation in the hobby.
  • "We've sold 500 items already. We’re in it, man." — Ryan [31:21]
• Collecting as generational bridge and entrepreneurial playground: teaching kids business via cards and e-commerce sites [32:04–32:45].
  • "It’s brought my sons and I close...I’m teaching them business through the sports cards now." — Ryan [32:04]

9. Globalization and Future Outlook

• Major investment and scaling: from Tom Brady’s involvement to private equity and venture capital entering the hobby.
  • "It really, truly is a global hobby. The NBA is collected in just about every corner of the connected world." — Jeremy [33:36]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Sports as Unity:
  "Fandom is one of those last safe spaces where we can all come together and cheer on a team and not be angry at each other for something else." — Jeremy [14:08]

• On Digital Collectibles:
  "I think smart companies and smart creators are going to find ways...But there’s nothing like the thrill of opening that physical pack and holding the cards." — Jeremy [29:56, 30:40]

• On Market Expansion:
  "They are opening the tent wider, right? The Fanatics Fest...couldn’t have been a more fun, entertaining experience for casual sports fans." — Jeremy [11:56]

• On Collecting as an Innate Drive:
  "35 of us are genetically predisposed to want to collect stuff. Sort of remnants of hunting." — Jeremy [13:30]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Jeremy’s career story & role models: 01:45–04:49
• Return to collecting & the importance of fandom: 07:40–09:55
• Industry shifts and Fanatics’ role: 11:56–12:28
• Competition and innovation era: 12:37–14:01
• Why collecting connects us & the social function of fandom: 14:08–15:01
• Sports Illustrated’s leap into collectibles: 17:06–20:47
• On grading, trust, and eBay nostalgia: 23:42–25:06
• Digital collectibles/NFTs debate: 26:13–29:56
• Breaking, business, and the next generation: 31:21–32:45
• Global scale and industry future: 32:45–34:07

Conclusion

This episode offers a deep, candid spotlight on how trading cards form a cultural and market bridge, fusing nostalgia and innovation. Jeremy Aisenberg shares actionable perspectives on where the industry is heading and how massive new audiences are being built—whether through content, innovation, grading, or even NFTs. The conversation closes on a human note: collecting as an intergenerational passion and an entrepreneurial classroom, proving that the enduring thrill of "the chase" is alive and well in 2025.

Where to Follow & Find More

• Jeremy Aisenberg: Instagram: @jaisenberg | Talent Brand Labs: www.talentbrandlabs.com | SI Collectibles: si.com/collectibles
• Ryan Alford: Instagram: @ryanalford | Podcast info: ryanisright.com

For continually evolving hobby intel, check out new stories, collector profiles, and breaking content at si.com/collectibles.