Everything You Need to Know About Sports Card Brands & Sets (How to Invest)

Geoff and T Pott talk about sports card brands and how to invest in the hobby you love.
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iLS Network: www.ilsnetwork...

[@speedyjustice4you]

Thank you for including hockey! To add: -O-Pee-Chee Platinum is like Prizm (rookie parallels are highly desired) -Allure is like Select

[@Hockeistguyalive]

😂 you’re clueless bud.

[@LuisMendez-tx2dn]

Any video claiming “how to invest in trading cards” misses the point. Trading cards aren’t about making money-they’re about the love of collecting. Focus on the players, teams, or brands you genuinely enjoy, and let that be the reward. If you’re lucky enough to pull something valuable, enjoy the moment, then keep going for the passion of the hobby. Don’t let influencers’ “expert tips” distract you from what collecting is truly about.

[@grizzlyx9tv]

Weird take, they didn't miss the point at all. "How to Invest" does not just put a monetary value on it. I interpreted it as more of how to invest your time collecting in a certain sport / set. Also don't quote "expert tips" when they are experts in the hobby. You need to look at other perspectives and realize Topps and other manufactures are profitable businesses, so watching a video explaining where to get the best value and best-looking cards when you are new to the hobby goes along way.

[@LuisMendez-tx2dn]

@@grizzlyx9tv I would steer people coming to the hobby away from Geoff and his channel. What really bothers me about Geoff and his “Sports Card Investor” channel is how he’s turned the hobby into something that’s all about money, not passion. He pushes the idea that sports cards are investments to buy, flip, and profit from, and it’s really damaging to the true spirit of collecting. When I got into this hobby, it was about the thrill of the cards, the players, the sets, and the memories-not about making a quick buck. But Wilson’s approach turns it into a market, where speculators and investors dominate, and the joy of collecting takes a backseat. What frustrates me even more is how he fuels market speculation. Every video seems to highlight which cards or players will “skyrocket” in value, which just drives up prices artificially and creates false hype. It’s not about the love of the game anymore; it’s about trying to predict the next financial windfall. The market becomes a rollercoaster, with prices spiking and crashing, and regular collectors get caught in the chaos. But the biggest issue for me is how he’s eroding the collecting culture. For so many of us, collecting is about connecting with the sport, the players, and the history behind the cards. It’s personal, emotional-something we do because we love it. Wilson’s approach makes it all about treating cards like assets, and it’s turning the hobby into just another financial transaction. It’s frustrating to see the heart of collecting get lost in the pursuit of profit.

[@ryanra44]

Insightful breakdown. I tend to agree with you about stadium club T-Pot. One of my favorite sets every year

[@briandelauro3471]

Glad you guys covered some hockey; other major Upper Deck sets that should have been mentioned to help non hockey collectors understand the landscape are 1. Skybox Metal universe (insert heavy set where you can pull your precious metal gems PMGs and this year they even did the Noyz Boyz again and did Z-force and Soul of the game for the first time in hockey); boxes go for about $150-$200; and 2. Ultimate Collection and Premier - these are similar style boxes with few cards that also have insane patch autos (and hockey definitely has the best) which arent as expensive as The Cup to open ($300-$600 depending on set and year) but are also really important to the hobby - the rookie patch autos rival The Cup; Again thanks for covering some hockey.

[@docholidayproductions]

Leaf really stepped it up I'll be honest with you guys especially with their hobby sets they really stand out there the best if they had the licensing it would blow everything out of the water but as far as card design and value you get back from what you pay Leaf is number one

[@brushben22]

Just collect singles of Goats Rookies and you will always be fine. I love doing it and it’s very exciting and safe opposed to any other attempt in this Hobby

[@RockFoodBeerandWine]

You’ll be fine buying anything you want as long as you don’t need it to be able to lean on when times are tough. The goat rookies are more liquid but if that’s the only reason people collect anything, it’s probably not that fulfilling,imo.

[@BaseHeadSports]

​@@RockFoodBeerandWine Good point as well.

[@Hockeistguyalive]

@@RockFoodBeerandWine yes having a ton of worthless cards is way more fulfilling. I have so much inventory I find new stuff each time I sort. DONT HOARD , SELL EVERYTHING.

[@bigcryptocrazyal3433]

Fellas, amazing show, some examples would be nice to show everyone, but it would definitely take much longer. Any place to get in the hobby is ok. I just wish Fanatics and Panini would have figured out a smoother transition for the hobby. My biggest problem with the hobby is in the NFL. I don’t care about the politics of cards. Not having autos on the best rookies of 2023 and 2024 is unforgivable to the hobby on brands like Select, Optic, and Prizm. I’ve been working on building a collection in baseball and football cards from the 1980’s- present of the best players. But, I am disgraced as a Bears fan that I may not be able to purchase a Caleb Williams auto in 1 of these 3 sets. I’m not a fan of a college or unlicensed autos of a player with tremendous long-term upside and have to settle for numbered or short prints of the best rookies. The collectors, flippers, and investors should figure out a way to put pressure on this issue to make sure the hobby can survive for everyone. Not having flagship brands with premium autos is unforgivable to this hobby. Please pass the word!

[@28relics]

focus is the word you used and that is exactly what the money does in the hobby. The reason flagship products flourish is becuase the hobby knows it has to focus, they can print whatever they want but the real money will always be focused.

[@thecrutch9]

The college cards are big because panini doesn’t put the pro cards out soon enough and the only cards available sometimes is the bowman U products.

[@jacobfain6504]

On the contenders football parallels, how do they rank? Is the cracked ice auto the one to get or championship ticket auto the one?

[@stevenrex-p5g]

I still consider any dtaft card or bowman 1st (prospects) as xrc Extra rookie or extended rookie same way as they were viewed In 80s,90s

[@tothetop-omaid]

Great video, love the content. Could be better if you guys showed the cards via graphics on this one.

[@OzarkMountainCollectibles]

Amazing video - very helpful. May have missed it, but how do you guys feel about the long term staying power of the Select xRC?

[@briankoss1905]

My son and I are both collectors and sellers. We are probably 80% baseball, though I like to sprinkle in a few football and basketball in hopes of attracting other buys. Sold a CJ Stroud Prism Base RC with a 10 Grade just this weekend at a card show. Sold a Shohei 10 and some others too. We’ve been into and studying the market for a couple years now and I am always torn between more diversity or just zeroing in on baseball - given that’s our most knowledgeable area and the one we like to PC. We only PC Brady and Aiden Hutchinson in football. And Paulo Banchero & Franz Wagner in basketball. I’m also a baseball writer and podcaster. Do you think it would make the most sense to diversify more? Or to really focus in on what we like the most and have a real depth of knowledge on prospects, rookies and GOATs? Any feedback would be appreciated.

[@derrickberg]

ONIT Athlete should get a mention. They are making some great cards, and you can support your favorite college athletes at the same time. I believe 60% of the profit goes to the athletes.

[@alanmelgarejo1557]

Thanks for doing this. My son an I just started an it is overwhelming. Would also be interesting to watch an episode about how all the different parallels rank, but that would probably be an even longer video. Perhaps a series? Thanks again!

[@brushben22]

Awesome stuff !!

[@stevenrex-p5g]

If any rookie is printed at under1500 and is viewed as a beautiful and popular card set they will hold there vale and possibly even increase in$$

[@krishdasgupta7313]

Caitlin Clark helped Bowman U basketball take off way more than the Wemby stuff IMHO

[@MeM.Card.Collect313]

This talk made me think, would pulling a 1/1 out of topps update actually be more impressive than a 1/1 out of like immaculate? Considering there are millions and millions of topps update cards.

[@angelou1]

Enjoyed this alot

[@Hockeistguyalive]

These guys got into my hobby less than 5 years ago. Let that sink in. THEY ARE FOOLS, NOTHING BUT MUPPETS THAT HAVE BEEN WRONG ABOUT EVERYTHING, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU THINK YOU UNDERSTAND THE HOBBY.

[@fliplife67]

When people realize some of there’s sets isn’t as valuable as what the cost to open the product they will be a riot.

[@trustbutverifymedia8470]

Your grammar is about to make me riot

[@fliplife67]

@ If KZbin let us video are comments instead of typing that would be AWESOME!!!!

[@RockFoodBeerandWine]

I’ve been ripping product for 5 decades and it’s never been cheaper to build a set from opening packs than paying for it over the counter…back in the day the sets weren’t even available. They didn’t make factory sets so you had to build.

[@scott4318]

Why does Ohtani's bowman chrome auto go for so much more than topps chrome rookie auto? Thanks.

[@dripskoolCollectibles]

The video I needed thanks

[@jstevesonfire119]

Optic rated rookie holos are chefs kiss.

[@pauly5502]

*Gamble, ‘how to gamble with sports cards’

[@Franz-f8w]

You do a video on how to invest in trading cards and you missed the number one card of the year Caitlyn Clark and the WNBA

[@leogonzalez9384]

1951 Topps Red Backs

[@ArmedPatriot]

Wildcard has some pretty cards

[@ButIPoopFromThere]

Wildcard is garbage

[@maxwellethan_]

T Pott dressed like a doctor! Buddy looking sharp as a tac.

[@t-pott4504]

Almost needed a doctor for my head wound! 😆

[@stevenrex-p5g]

Basketball silver prizms will not hold up in 20 years there printed at around 4000-5000 Only reason a prizm silver in basketball is a high $$$$ is newer collectors bought/ buy them thinking there just as rare and hard to pull as refractors from finest or chrome

[@carlbarner7663]

License are good for baseball

[@crazykev6491]

Alex Ovechkin of my Capitals is on the verge of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s 894 goal record. As of this post he’s at 857 career and 38 goals away. (I’m sitting on a 2005 UD young Guns PSA 9 of which I have $250 into, but will never sell)

[@stevenrex-p5g]

You dont know if unlicensed numbered rookies will not go up they have only been around for handful of years

[@Andrew-hq2ku]

🎶 Geoff Wilson, Geoff Wilson, you ruined the hobby that I love…..Geoff Wilson, Geoff Wilson, Geoff Wilsonnnnnnnnnn 🎶

[@crazykev6491]

Let’s also say what’s a licensed vs unlicensed card? Unlicensed is a card that hides any team logos either on jersey or helmet because that brand can’t use the logo/mascot. A licensed card will show logos/mascots on card or say “licensed product” on the back of card. Stay away from any unlicensed junk for long term. With so many newbies in the hobby, dealers are hyping this junk up to get your money.

[@ktc629]

How on earth did Topps Chrome produced Licensed NFL products in 2015 while Panini Had the license? wtf happened? both brands had the license? what was wrong with that idea...tell us the story of what happened please

[@t-pott4504]

There were a few years of remaining overlap between the two before Panini got the exclusive licenses.

[@ktc629]

@@t-pott4504 can that be explanation be expanded on, a few years overlap, what led to this overlap and what caused the license o be exclusive? MLB NFL and NBA was not exclusive in the 90s, how or who made the license exclusive to just 1 manufacture? Would the MLB NFL AND NBA generate more income if they would sell their licenses to multiple different manufactures? I would love to hear the store of what happened between 1999 and 2009 thats this exclusivity to be way the biz is today.

[@staleprad]

Stick to licensed stuff..recently - Prizm, and National treasures !! Particularly gold Prizms, color match Prizms , NT true rpa /99….gold Kabooms…the rest are just not that great

[@Andrew-hq2ku]

Hellooooo what about the best product of all time Topps Mercury???

[@MikelTulp]

Stadium club debuted in 1991 T pot

[@t-pott4504]

You're right! I had it in my head "Shaq RC" and just spaced on 1991.

[@jrodriguez3281]

wild card joker cards hold good value and are unlicensed

[@Andrew-hq2ku]

Is this “show” just a sit down with his employees every week?

[@lauracook2810]

Hobby boxes just way to expensive

[@stevenrex-p5g]

The view you guys take is from a new type collector not a veteran

[@danielthelion2677]

what happened to teapots head?

[@TigerTownRick]

I thought my had a comb over going on at first.

[@t-pott4504]

Got attacked by a Tiger walking in my neighborhood! :P

[@danielthelion2677]

@@t-pott4504 lol the mans name was Tiger

[@Brewdog-e8p]

Tpot what happened to your head homie?

[@cardsforthelongrun]

Sticking to popular sets is actually terrible advice. Look at the 90s... some of the most sought after cards were a little after thought in the 90s. Written off as cards for kids or whatever. A lot can AND USUSALLY DOES change in 20 years. Perceptions change. Ignoring things that are not popular now is a bad idea IMO.

[@wmhprater1]

Also, before 1951, the 1948 Topps Magic Photo set.

[@chriskrumenauer3126]

You have got to get off this invest bs

[@trepidation34]

Completely unqualified to issue investment advice.. sham wow salesman

[@Andrew-hq2ku]

😂😂😂😂 put some respect in Vince’s name! Comparing him to Geoff “Will Grier” Wilson is a disgrace.

[@Heaven-SentMemories]

Sounds silly but im thankful that i dont know all of this.

[@rob31hockey]

Absolutely insane that we continue to allow license exclusivities… I don’t understand why a league would settle for exclusivity when they can make percentages from all cards sold, period, if the just make backend sales deal with an up front licensing fee. Seems like they would make way more money and the hobby itself would surely thrive much more. Sad future ahead letting the monopolistic Fanatics ruin the entire sporting landscape and cheapen every product along the way.

[@slabcollect]

Thank you for your thought leadership in the sports card and tcg industry. If I could just offer one piece of feedback - you have many different channels for communication, and it can be tricky to follow and manage at times. Condensing into one handle/stream would be a lot easier. At least for me... but thanks for your content.

[@frankm5815]

Why do people buy unlicensed products? They are a waste and hold no value long-term.

[@AJolls]

like 2024 topps basketball chrome

[@maxwellethan_]

As long as hobby box prices stay where they are, unlicensed will always have a market my friend

[@treverfogarty8514]

My favorite card is an unlicensed Jordan lol some can be good

[@rob31hockey]

@@maxwellethan_ Agreed. And add on top of that, if they happen to be the only way to get a rookie auto of some high-end player or highly collectible player will hold value as well. And then also potentially a scarcity affect with way lower production levels. But, I do tend to agree that more often than not, unlicensed is not super valuable. But then again, the hobby originated on just actually collecting and not necessarily to make money or hold value. So, it isn’t always about long-term value.

[@TigerTownRick]

Believe it or not there are people in this hobby who actually like to collect the cards. 👍🏽

[@kellycook5314]

If you’re trying to INVEST in sportcards … DONT

[@brandonhill1661]

Four mins for the UFC & WWE fans. Goshdarn! Give us some love.

[@michaelroot1960]

Collect what you love. Geoff is a snake oil salesman.

[@t-pott4504]

Easy solution for you if you don't like the content. Don't watch. Don't comment. Move on. Thank you for helping the algorithm promote this video by commenting!

[@michaelroot1960]

@@t-pott4504and you just proved you’re as big a piece of garbage as your boss Geoff.

[@Andrew-hq2ku]

@@t-pott4504😂😂😂😂keep sliding that shiny dome further up Geoff’s behind why don’t you? Has backyard breaks sued you yet for your false claims? Mr. Hobby white knight sure loves to point fingers except at daddy Wilson. Keep pumping “pistol Pete”.

[@ArmedPatriot]

What about elite?

[@poptalgia9653]

First!!!