Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
All right, hello everyone, thank you for being out there.
Welcome to the twenty twenty five National in Chicago. Were
the twenty twenty six. In twenty twenty seven National will
also be My name is Sean Newman, host a sports
cardination hobby Quickheads, Breaking Cardboard. I probably forgot something but
(00:23):
that we only have an hour, so I'll quit there.
I'm gonna we are Hobby Hotline is a Saturday morning,
eleven am Eastern show. Right now. We're on the first
and third Saturdays of each month. For August will be
the second and fourth month, fourth week with the National schedule,
(00:46):
and that may change. We may go back to every week.
We'll see what develops there. Enough of me talking, I'm
gonna have the panelist. Where a show that has I
think fourteen to fifteen different personalities and collectors and people
of the hobby, and I love that and where I
(01:06):
think we're on our fifth year. My math is right,
and we've had some people come through and leave, and
but we've got a great panel Right now, I'm gonna
have everyone sort of introduce themselves to their own content.
We'll kind of start from from left to right. Here
on my left, all right, I appreciate that.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
John Alex Tresler aka Army ATC twenty two anywhere on
social media, you know, I deal with a lot of
the hobby community, you know, capturing those moments that a
lot of people might not be able to see, its
shows and everything else, and I just enjoy it. Twenty
two years Army retired VET and just enjoying that.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
I Gus saw a couple of videos of you from
back in the day. Yeah, the young, young Alex. I
almost didn't recognize you, man.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Yeah, everyone's telling me I should shave the beard off
and you know, go back to the day. So I
posted a few videos from the National here in twenty
thirteen in Chicago. It was the first time I ever
come to the National at Chicago was then, and I
thought it was a good throwback.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Yeah. So if anyone says, hey, you've on't e been
to a hobby four years, you have proof that that's
not true.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
I have receipts, as they say, you know these days, right,
Thanks Elek good.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
I'm Lauren. My handle is Lauren goes here. Everywhere I
do card art, I hand embroidered cards. I am very
happy to be a part of the hobby Hotline Team,
and I also write for collectibles on SI and I'm
also set up with my husband. We go round to
card shows a lot and set up a lot of
basketball high in Basketball, Kobe Jordan, and right now very
(02:42):
heavy on the WWE, which is a lot of fun.
Speaker 4 (02:46):
What's up, everybody? My name is Adam Palmer, Adam Drew Palmer.
On all the platforms, I used to be Heros for Sale.
I also write with collectibles on SI. I have a
daily show on Sportscard Nonsense as well. Been doing a host.
I think I was like the first episode I did
was maybe episode two hundred, and I think we're probably
in like the four hundreds now.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
Yeah, and I think we screwed up to count two.
So there's a couple and then there's a couple of
episodes that never have when we just skipped the number,
so those are the lost episodes. But yeah, it's crazy
five years of doing the show. And again thanks to
everyone up here who's currently part of it. But thank
(03:28):
you to you know, all the people have come through
and have lend their expertise in their time. That's what
makes us what we are.
Speaker 4 (03:36):
Yeah, oh sorry, And then it's TikTok, Instagram, YouTube Adam
Drew Palmer. That's where you can find me everywhere. TikTok
is where I'm trying to cover the show as much
as i can. So I'd appreciate if everybody looked at
those videos because I'm spending a lot of time on those.
So yeah, we'll next.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (03:53):
I'm a logan Ward King Nascar on Twitter and I
also have my own YouTube channel. We do NASCAR Radio,
which is a weekly show just on Nascar cards, believe
it or not, and it drops every Friday, so you
might want to check that out. Nascar Cards I think
are finally coming back. But uh, been on Hobby Hotline
(04:14):
a long time.
Speaker 6 (04:16):
I'm an O. I'm an O, G John says.
Speaker 7 (04:18):
So that's good.
Speaker 6 (04:18):
So I've been on a while. I love Hobby Hotline.
Speaker 5 (04:22):
Uh, please be sure to check it out and check
out my channel and check out NASCAR Radio.
Speaker 7 (04:27):
I got.
Speaker 6 (04:29):
I got my own Mike. I'm Chris Chris.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
Harris, Chris brought Mike with him.
Speaker 8 (04:34):
Yeah, I'm doing this with one arm tied in.
Speaker 1 (04:39):
Front of my don't try this at home. Chris is
a trading profession.
Speaker 8 (04:45):
You might know me from Hobby News Daily.
Speaker 1 (04:53):
We know his resume better than he.
Speaker 8 (04:55):
Come on, I'm still on East Coast time, all right.
I woke up at like five, I have thirty this morning,
and I'm like miserable.
Speaker 7 (05:02):
I'm sorry, And.
Speaker 8 (05:03):
I got Tom Brady over here staring over me like
like like our overlord should have worn my Nick Foles mask,
just to keep it fair. But I used to write
for Hobby News Daily. Maybe I might be writing for
Collecting for SI soon.
Speaker 1 (05:21):
I don't know. Uh.
Speaker 8 (05:22):
And I've been on Hobby Highline almost since the beginning.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
Yeah you're you're your og? Yeah close enough.
Speaker 8 (05:32):
And I used to write a baseball card blog back
in the day called Stale Gum.
Speaker 6 (05:37):
It's been inactive for a while, but still there.
Speaker 9 (05:41):
So I am Victor Roman. I am on YouTube as
Victor the Rookie Card Specialist. My work basically deals with
understanding the history of the rookie cart, proper identification of
a rookie card. I actually did write a book, True
Rookie Cards. I do have copies available if you're interested
(06:03):
in that. After the show, you can contact get a
hold of me. But been with Hobby Hotline for a
few years now. Really enjoy the camaraderie in respect that
we have for one another, and I love the diversity
that we have of so many different voices.
Speaker 10 (06:20):
I'm Brody Touquet. You might know me on Instagram as
Brody the Kid Won. I do the Daily Rip where
I rip a pack of cards every day. I'm obviously
on Hobby Hotline with all these people, and I love
covering sports as long with anything with the hobby, You're
gonna see a lot of posts from me about Chicago
sports as well.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
Ghost Socks and they won yesterday. Brody I brought I
brought him luck. I went to the game and they
beat the Phillies. Sorry, Philly guys, it's another series win.
Speaker 7 (06:51):
We're on fire.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Yeah, I was at the game where the Phillies completely
destroyed them.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
Yeah that was That was the day before. So Alex
brings the Philly luck. I'm not a Sox fan, but
apparently I bring them luck when I show up to
the game, except the four hour rain delay that I
had to sit through before the game started. First question,
I'm gonna ask Big there and Brody, I know you
guys are really disappointed that the Nationals here the next
(07:17):
two years after this one, being Chicago guys. Uh, but
all joking aside, this is in their backyard, so that
must be nice. But all right, let's let's get into
some topics. We'll start off with one that's not a
good one, but it's it's part of the hobby. It's
(07:38):
part of the story and fabric of the hobby. And
and you know, you walk around this building and there
is a lot of autograph memorabilia here, there's autograph cards
and uh, we heard about the story that broke about
a week and a half ago about the forgery scandal
based out of uh in the Indiana and a gentleman
(08:03):
I won't name them who wound up unfortunately, uh, committing
suicide after posting a big, long note basically throwing everyone
involved under the bus. You know this is there there
they're saying when all this smoke and dust, when the
smoke clears and the dust settles, that this is gonna
be probably the biggest scandal UH to hit the hobby.
(08:27):
Obviously that's that's not a good story. But just some
thoughts here, Uh, you know, are the effects going to
trickle down to this year's National Does it affect you
as a collector? And you know where do we go
from here with with it. So whoever, you know, whoever
(08:48):
wants to jump in here.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
Walking around the floor, like you still see a lot
of signed memorabilia, right, you know, I don't. I don't
know if it's just still too fresh right to really
affect the people that were coming here with their inventory,
Like how are they trying to figure out what stuff
that they actually had that possibly was involved with it?
So I'm seeing people buy it all over carrying it around.
(09:18):
But again, TriStar has that lovely pavilion for a reason.
And these days, if you want to make sure it's authentic,
go get it yourself, right, walk up there and get
it signed yourself.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
Yeah, leave no doubt, right, if you get it in person,
you leave no doubt. You know. I talked about this
on my own content. One thing I thought about, you know,
coming into this show, in this event, is there a
lot of autograph dealers here who obviously everything's on the
up and up. They've been around a long time, and
this story, whether they like it or not, it's going
(09:53):
to affect them, right. They're gonna get probably extra questions
like where did you get this? How did you get this?
Because if you heard about this scandal. There's not only
the autographs being fugazi, but even the certains and the holograms.
So you know that that's an extra layer where something
(10:15):
can be sold as real and you think it's real
because it has a hologram or CoA, and that's not real.
Neither is the autograph. So I I, you know, I
think about as a dealer myself, not an autograph dealer.
But they're just gonna have They're gonna be facing a
lot of questions because of someone else's actions. They again,
(10:37):
they could be one hundred percent above born they probably are,
but now they have to deal with you know, it's
like what we do with breakers, right, one bad breaker
and everyone kind of just lumps the whole breaking industry
they're all bad. And I think that's a little bit
what might happen with autograph folks. So for those folks,
(10:58):
you know, I feel I feel a little bit bad
that they're gonna deal with some of the fallout because
the person who's the ringleader of it didn't stick around
the face the music, Adam, I don't know if you know,
you do a daily thing where you talk about breaking
news and topics, like kind of your thoughts and you're
(11:19):
you're a veteran of this show now as well, like
just kind of your general thoughts here.
Speaker 4 (11:25):
Yeah, I mean, transparency is something that I'm always advocating
for in the hobby, whether it's grating or whether it's
more information in packs or anything. I mean, so to
see one of I think one of the bigger scandals,
like you said, from an autograph respective Like I don't
necessarily follow autographs. I just never got into it. The
(11:45):
market is too not not necessarily hot and cold, but
it's either it's too there's too much of a spectrum
between like what's a good autograph, what's a bad autograph?
Athletes are always changing their autograph. So for me, it's
the transparency of it that I really hoping that all
the companies can like learn from and just not just
assuming that we can trust every single company that's in
(12:08):
this industry nowadays, I think is one of the important
things that, like I said, I hope that companies realize
that the more transparency they can give, I think, the
more trust they're going to earn. And that's another thing,
like for so long, it just was the trust from
the consumer was always just it was just not it
was just assumed, you know, So, now that we're seeing
(12:30):
issues like this, it's really kind of It is obviously
going to be a big scandal, and once it becomes
more mainstream, we're going to potentially see the more mainstream
coverage of the industry. So if it's whether you're buying
or selling, or you're doing a show or breaks or anything,
I think that offering the transparency upfront is always going
to be a good move for anybody that's doing any
(12:50):
of that type of stuff.
Speaker 9 (12:52):
Ay, John, I ad can I add? I'm I'm just
been I've been a hobbyist for almost forty years of
my life, and I'm sick and tired of seeing these
phony scams constantly happening within the hobby. I think it's
time to clean this mess up. How do you how
do you how does somebody fake a hologram and get
(13:12):
away with it? I mean that that should that's always
has been the key element of authenticity, and now that
is being threatened. So we either need to step up
our technology or we need to educate people on how
to properly look at a at a at an authentication
(13:33):
hologram to see if it's authentic or not. I also
think it opens up the door for the industry to
really for for fanatics. Let's just call it what it is,
to really bring back consumer confidence in this area. Of
me personally, I have zero confidence in anything memorabilia right now,
and there needs to be some consumer confidence rebuilt, and
(13:57):
I think that should come through fanatics, who holds the
light since in agreements with most of these players.
Speaker 1 (14:04):
Yeah. The only thing I'll say, Victor, and you know this,
I'm not telling you something you don't know. Everyone up
here probably knows this. Any industry, any business where people
can do something illegally to make money, whether it be
Wall Street, real estate, it's gonna happen or it's gonna
be tried to occur. And that's the unfortunate thing because
(14:27):
when you have dollars involved, not everyone wants to make
them the right way.
Speaker 7 (14:31):
Right.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
So, yeah, but you're right, Victor, there's got to be
something more, right. We got to take it to the
next level, correct. You know, I think about people who
make fake money, right, the FBI is in charge of
staying ahead of those folks. It's a chess game. There's
a new technology to make fake bills, and the FBI
(14:55):
upstair game to kind of stay one step ahead of them,
I think, to having need something along these similar lines.
So I'm not saying necessarily the FBI, but the FBI
is involved in this, this scandal. Now, this is a
case there that's on their desk. So so yeah, it's
it's it's it's crazy.
Speaker 9 (15:16):
But John, when it comes to the authenticity of memorabilia
and the autograph's portion side of it, I'm gonna speak
for myself and say that I'm ignorant on the topic.
And the only reason why I'm ignorant on the topic
is not because I'm not interested. It's because there's a
lack of education out there. And that's how do we
overcome ignorance in any category. It's education, education, education.
Speaker 1 (15:41):
So are you saying you're going to be pivoting from
doing rookie card content to regulation and an authograph.
Speaker 9 (15:52):
That's for somebody else?
Speaker 1 (15:55):
Chris, I kind of interrupted you.
Speaker 8 (15:58):
But there's there's kind of a class of consumer out
there that really isn't buying these autographs for themselves. They're
probably buying them for their loved ones. They may not
be sports fans. How do you educate that person?
Speaker 1 (16:15):
Yeah, that's tricky. I thought. That's another one of the
first things I thought of when this story broke, right,
how many dads or moms or grandparents bought a Patrick
Mahomes autographed item for for their son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter,
assuming it was real. It was priced sort of as
if it was real, and they gave it as a
(16:36):
gift for whatever, a birthday or Christmas. And that young
person in this scenario believes they have a Patrick Mahomes auto.
That may not be a Patrick Mahomes auto. And that's
that's that's said commentary.
Speaker 8 (16:52):
Could be a Patrick Mahomes auto, could be his dad?
Speaker 2 (16:54):
Yeah, can can can those can those parents adopt me?
Because his auto is expensive?
Speaker 1 (16:59):
All right? Well you only have to walk around the
show ten minutes outs to know there's some serious cash
exchange in hands. But yeah, Victor's right, you know anything
better that can make that process better? You know my
advice and I do a little autograph stuff for more
cards percentage wise, but I do buy autograph stuff. Ask questions, right,
(17:25):
if you're making a purchase, check the cert make sure
the number matches in the database in the registry that's online.
You know, I said, I feel bad because they're gonna
get peppered with questions. But if you're buying it from
a dealer or whether it's here in person or online, right,
ask that person, can you give me some of the
(17:46):
provenance of of how you acquire this and that sort
of thing. Do some research, especially if it's a bigger purchase, right,
if it's high three figures, four figures, that's something that
you should probably do your due diligence before you just
hand over your hard earned money. So so for sure,
(18:07):
it's you know, it's sad to see, but you know,
probably not the last time it's gonna happen, and hopefully
not on this kind of magnitude when it does.
Speaker 5 (18:20):
So being a hobbyist for fifty four years, I'm like, victory,
this really makes me mad. Yeah, we are old, but
I used to like it when I would see news
articles or things on TV about cards. But now, you know,
(18:40):
the other night I saw on the NBC Nightly News
Caitlin Clark rookie it's six hundred.
Speaker 6 (18:46):
And sixty thousand dollars.
Speaker 5 (18:48):
People are like, oh my gosh, that's the lure of
easy money. You know, the hobbies become more mainstream, so
you get this this element that comes in thinking that
they can trick people, can take their money. And I
see a lot of hobby greed that I just I
don't like, and it's really really upsetting to me.
Speaker 6 (19:09):
I want my hobby back.
Speaker 5 (19:11):
I don't like the way it's going in the direction
that it's going, as far as you tell them. Yeah,
but uh, you know, being a NASCAR guy, you know,
I feel bad for the people that have bought these autographs.
Uh me personally, it doesn't I don't think it really
affects me because I don't buy any of those kind
(19:32):
of autographs.
Speaker 6 (19:34):
But it's really a bad, a really bad deal.
Speaker 7 (19:37):
And uh, I.
Speaker 5 (19:38):
Hope we can, like you said, Victor, h educate people
and get our arms around this and and weed these
people out and get rid of them, because I'm tired
of it.
Speaker 6 (19:48):
I mean, I'm honestly tired of it.
Speaker 9 (19:50):
Yeah, I'll get in on the you know, as far
as the education site, how do we get that out
to the masses in the world of social media, that
should be fairly easy to do.
Speaker 1 (20:01):
Yeah, But you're right, You're right, Rictor. But like Logan said,
you do have some people that they're not hobbyists per se,
but they're they're transacting in the hobby. They're making a
hobby purchase while they themselves may not be a hobby
is So that's where the disconnect lies. And I'm not
(20:21):
gonna pound the table because it's not my table. But
I'm mad too. I'm mad too. I've been in the hobby,
you know, uh forty years. What is it? I want
to know what is it with this side of the
three tables. It's like all the old people.
Speaker 6 (20:39):
Do you get over here?
Speaker 7 (20:40):
You're on the wrong side.
Speaker 1 (20:41):
Well, no, we're keeping them. We're keeping them because he
brings the average age of the side of the table
down so we don't feel as bad. So we're we
now have an average age of thirty two years old
on this side of this.
Speaker 4 (20:55):
Well I heard we were running a four v four
basketball game after this, So I just want to make
sure that you know I'm on this side, just so
that way, you know, probaty, you can come over here
if you would like to, and just if you want
one the one last.
Speaker 1 (21:10):
So all right, let's let's you know, from one great
story to another one. Very few people who are active
in the hobby don't have their cards graded or by
graded cards, and there are people who deal with just
wraw cards. But the grading, as we all know, is
a huge aspect of the hobby. It's a huge aspect
(21:30):
of what we do up here, right, you know, full transparency.
SGC is a sponsor of the Sports Card Nation podcast.
I'm happy to say they re up through twenty twenty five,
So got my fingers crossed. But you know Peter Steinberg,
who's a good friend of mine and I know him
(21:50):
real well through the years, and he recently stepped down
I'll just word it like that step down from SG
see after seven great years there and building a great
company and a great brand. And you know, I'm sure
everyone up here has heard all the speculation in rumors
(22:11):
that this could be the end of SGC. I know
Ryan Hoach went on another podcast and talked about making
them sort of boutique whatever that means. I don't know
if you can get like a vintage dress there now.
I really don't know what boutique means. But I loved
the brand. I loved the brand before they were sponsored,
(22:34):
So that's not me shilling or being a homer. I
used them before they were ever sponsored them and psa
coincidence by there, and I don't want them to go away,
you know, And I think a lot of people don't
want them to go away. A lot of people are
mad at collectors for some decisions and how things have went.
(22:59):
But you know, speaking from a selfish point of view,
I want to see the brand live on. I bokes
up for them. They did away with those rates. It
is what it is. I still do it at a
different price level, but you know, they've they've been around
twenty plus years themselves, and I think having him part
(23:19):
of the grading terrain and is important and I don't
want to see him go away. Just some others thoughts here,
whoever want to chime in, you know, whether you want
to make a prediction or what you think or how
you feel.
Speaker 8 (23:34):
Allow well, speaking as a former anti trust economist, when
you have the dominant player in a marketplace buys out
one of their competitors and all that's left are basically
number two and number four, Now, that doesn't that doesn't
(23:56):
pit past the smell test to me. And I know
my former colleagues at my former employer have a lot
better things to do right now with their time. But
I'm surprised that this as it a this acquisition is
past anti trust mustard.
Speaker 1 (24:17):
Yeah, well listen, but there's other there's other grading where
Look I can see him from here, CDC. You know
you have you have other.
Speaker 6 (24:25):
But you know that PSA grades what seventy.
Speaker 8 (24:28):
Five eighty percent of the market.
Speaker 1 (24:31):
Yeah, no, I don't completely disagree. I just don't. I
don't know if there's enough there to build that. Lauren
or Brody, we we we haven't really heard from you.
I'm gonna put you on the spot here to chime in.
Speaker 3 (24:43):
I'm ready. Yeah, I like s you see. Actually, I
I know PSA is the popular one. There's a couple
of things I perse I personally don't prefer PSA. I.
I don't like the sliding scale pricing. I'm not a
(25:04):
big fan of that. You know that they evaluate the
price of your card and it's, you know, purely subjective
based on them. I don't like that there's no transparency
about the grade. You don't know the breakdown of like
why you've got a nine instead of a ten, or
why a beautiful card is now graded a PSA six.
Speaker 6 (25:26):
I don't love that.
Speaker 3 (25:27):
I personally had a card that I pulled that was
really big for me, a cocoa Uh. Cocoa GoF gold
and it was the same week that she won the
US Open and that was huge for me. And we
submitted it to PSA and they which we don't usually grade,
but we were like, this is a big card for us.
We'll put it in a PSA slab.
Speaker 6 (25:44):
And like lock it up.
Speaker 1 (25:46):
And it was.
Speaker 3 (25:47):
We got an email that it was a ten, but
they damaged it in the ceiling process and now it's
an eight. And that's a PC card that is very.
Speaker 6 (25:55):
Personal to me.
Speaker 3 (25:56):
That is now you know, it has a story behind it,
but not a good one. It had a great story
behind it.
Speaker 6 (26:01):
And now it's like wamp wamp.
Speaker 3 (26:03):
So I didn't mean for this to turn into a
rant against BSA, but I'm not a fan. So my
point being in relation to SUC, I love SGC. I
think their their pricing is good. I like their slabs,
the turnaround time is good. I do live in Florida,
so it's like, you know, pretty great for me, and
I think I think it's good to have diversity because
(26:24):
people have different preferences and you know, there's different card
designs and stuff. People sometimes like the esthetics better of
SGC or Beckett versus p s A or CGC, and
I I like SGC. I hope that they stick around.
I know that it's a behemoth going up against bs A.
If anybody could do it, it'd be Beckett. And you
(26:45):
know it's hard, it's a hard market, but I think
you got to stick with what you love and and
support the companies that support you back. And I ride
for SGC. I like SGC a lot, and I'm not
opposed to PSA. I know that it's the standard and
people love it. But for me, personally, I will not
submit a card to PSA. Again, that's just personally how
(27:07):
I feel. So I hope ASGC thrives and sticks around.
Speaker 10 (27:11):
So yeah, So I mean, I'm not personally a person
that grades that much. I buy graded cards, but I
think in the long run we need as many companies possible,
more grading companies the better, especially since I would think
it's fair to say a sgc's number two or number three,
(27:32):
And you know, I want the quality control of the
top companies to stay well and I don't think it's
crazy to say that. Ever since Tops has extended their
deal and as soon to get the football and basketball deals,
the quality control hasn't been as good as before. And
I think a lot of people have noticed that with
the three hundred dollars tops chrome boxes that aren't guaranteeing
(27:54):
you a number card, we need competition or else the
whole hobby can become an holy.
Speaker 1 (28:00):
Yeah. I agree, well said Brody, you know, you know,
keep est. I hope they keep SGC around and let
people make that choice. Right. There's rumors that they want
SGC to be like their vintage, and I'm not opposed
to that. I'd rather that than than them phase them out.
(28:22):
At least they're still around, and I do a lot
of vintage, so it's right in my wheelhouse if if
you will. But you know, we'll see, but you know,
we'll time will tell. I thought it was a good
sign when they reupt through the end of the year,
so I'm assuming that means we'll have them at least
(28:43):
in twenty twenty five, and then we'll see what twenty
twenty six brings.
Speaker 6 (28:49):
Yeah, I think.
Speaker 4 (28:50):
I mean, I'm come originally from like playing sports video games,
like the cards in the video games, and eventually I
was like, there's got to be a way to trade
cards in real life make money from it. So like
the one thing that everyone complains about in the video
game industry is just like the exclusive publishers like EA
and like Sony that make the MLB game, they can
(29:10):
just come out with the same game basically. I mean
that's what they've been doing. They come out with a
new engine every five ten years or so. But like
if you were to play Madden whatever twenty five versus
Madden twenty one, it's the same exact game. So it's
they come out with the new features, which is good.
But I think, like Brody was saying, I just think
like we need as many companies, we need to give
collectors the option to choose what grading card company they
(29:34):
can go to. I mean, I think at this point
it's maybe a little bit too late for them to
choose like what cards they want to buy, because Tompson
fanatics are buying all those licenses. But I think the
more options for collectors is gonna just ultimately be It's
gonna lead to a healthier market where there's not only
one option, you have multiple options.
Speaker 1 (29:55):
Yeah, for sure, And well time will tell, right, I
think they're safe for twenty five. I'll go out on
that limb and you know, I get asked all the
time between them being a sponsor, me using them folks
of then and I really don't have as crazy as
it sounds, I don't have any insider trading. I kind
of like, like you know, Chris said, like you can
(30:18):
kind of see how this goes with other mergers and acquisitions.
But all right, let's go on a little more positive stuff. Now,
let's let's get some national talking here to National this
year expanding. I haven't seen it yet, so I can't
add any commentary. I'm gonna acquiesce to the panel up here.
(30:41):
But they had what I think seventy five more dealers
with a limit of one table. They are new, all
new dealers from what I'm being told, So some new
blood for those that like new blood and see some
new selections and new showcases. I think that's good, right,
(31:02):
I follow on both sides. I think someone who's done
the show for forty years should get to continue to
do the show. You know, be loyal to who have
helped build your your show, right. You know I promoted
a few shows back in the day. If someone did
every show I did, there, they're automatically as long as
(31:23):
they want to be in the next show. I think
that's how it should be. But it's nice to see
them sort of expand add some more room, add some
more fresh faces, some new dealers. I have not seen
this the area yet. I will obviously, but has anybody
on the panel seen it and your thoughts on it.
Speaker 3 (31:46):
I mean, I'll say my husband and I are I
see I'm Staniel's here. I will say we are one
of the new vendors and we are very stoked and
very grateful that we are able to get in here.
And it's been bonkers for us. We've done Dallas, we
did Fanatics best, so yes, yeah, we're we're over there
(32:11):
kind of like next to Panini, so we're not upstairs,
which everybody go check out upstairs. Also if you didn't know,
there are more who was upstairs to check that out.
But we're over that way and it's it's awesome, it's great.
I agree with you that the people who built this
show do deserve to keep their spot if they want it.
I think that's really important. And there's people that this
(32:31):
is this is a super Bowl for us, So there
are people that this is the only time of year
that you see these people, and it might be you
might have been coming here for forty five years and
you want to see that person. You wanted to check
in with them, see what they're up to, see what
they've got, you know, see what your collections look like.
That's important and that's an important part of the hobby community,
I think. But as somebody who is coming in new
(32:54):
and fresh, I really appreciate that opportunity to become the
future fabric of that because it's very hard to get
in here and we don't take that for granted. And yeah,
I think I think it is important to to make
room for people where you can, because it's and and
there are people, there are bad actors who you know,
just hold their table down or they sell it for
(33:15):
you know, an astronomical price or whatever. And I know
that's few and far between, but I think it's good
that they're making way for the future. I know the
National has also really stepped up their social media and
their outreach, their email marketing, their their influencers. I mean,
it's very important and very helpful to push the lobby forward,
(33:36):
and I think it's making for a better show personally.
Speaker 1 (33:39):
So so. Habbie Heatline just made its first in game trade.
Here's the trade, as as the announced we traded Alex
Tresler for mister Samuel Evans and a player to be
named later. Now I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding went
that far, But I'm not kidding. Mister Samuel ev is here.
(34:01):
I have them introduced yourself. I know I just gave
you one, but you'll do a better one than I
just did.
Speaker 7 (34:07):
So what's going on everyone?
Speaker 11 (34:10):
I hope everyone is having amazing forty fifth National. This
is my second national. Cleveland was my first one. This
is my first time in Chicago for the National, and
I'm excited to see where the National goes over the
next couple of years, especially with all not going anywhere. Yeah,
(34:31):
I'm excited to see where it go because over the
next couple of years, there's so many amazing programs that's coming.
We're building out educational program through these specific four pillars
of collecting, and it's going to be amazing to see
how the next generation of collectors, you know, take the
hobby to the next level, and not just from like
(34:53):
the collecting side, but the other side, the industry side,
the entrepreneurial side, and then that sustainability place and just
making sure that this access points for everyone to appreciate
and explore this thing that we all love because you know,
just on this table there are collectors who've been in
this space, sitting in this room. Collectors have been in
(35:16):
this space for you know, longer than I've been alive.
And it's just amazing to see the national have that
forward thinking about like how can we you know, nurture
and create access points for the next generation of collectors
so they can carry the torch one day.
Speaker 7 (35:33):
And it's amazing. And you know, this.
Speaker 1 (35:35):
Side of the table, Samuel, we're on their way out,
not Brody, but the rest of us. So you weren't here,
but while the old guys sort of just migrated to
this side of the table, but we recruited Brody to
bring our average age down to like thirty two.
Speaker 11 (35:53):
And you know, not to get on my soapbox, but
I'm an educator by day.
Speaker 7 (35:57):
I'm a principal. I'm a middle school principal.
Speaker 11 (36:00):
This is like my passion and it's awesome that I
get to combine my professional what I do as a
professional with my personal passion as a collector storyteller. And
I just want to say, in this room, they're gonna
be thousands and thousands of people coming in and out
of this building every day and just take the time
(36:20):
to stop and check in what someone and meet someone
new and learn their cardboard story, and you never know
from that connection the friendship, the lifelong friendship, the connection
that you might build with that person and next thing
you know, you're waiting to meet with meet and see
them at the National every year.
Speaker 6 (36:40):
Yeah, the National.
Speaker 5 (36:41):
For me, we've come to call it the family Reunion.
I think this is my twenty first National. I'm trying
to lost count, but you know, I see people like
I see people.
Speaker 6 (36:53):
In the crowd. There's Jeremy Lee out there.
Speaker 5 (36:54):
I saw Rob and Ivan over here, just people that
I really love and I only get to see him
once a year.
Speaker 6 (37:01):
So for me, the National, like I said, is just
a big family reunion.
Speaker 5 (37:06):
You know, there are cards involved as well, but it's
a lot of fun.
Speaker 6 (37:10):
Glad to see the crowds. I can remember when this
room was just the National.
Speaker 5 (37:15):
We didn't have the cubby hole, we didn't have anything
over there on the other side, nothing upstairs. It's amazing
how well it's grown. It's my favorite venue. I like
coming here better than anything, and I wish that they
would I would love to see it stay here and
have its permanent home here, but I know that's not
gonna happen.
Speaker 9 (37:35):
Hey, John, Yeah. I'd like to make two points about
the National. First is seniority. I can respect the hierarchy
of dealers that are tenured and protecting their rights to
first dibbs. But being in Chicago, we're a strong union organization,
(37:56):
and as a railroad worker myself, I understand the importance
of seniority and agreements. But at the same time, in
my line of work, there's a thing called apprentices and
I think that's the one thing that the National has
been lacking. But this year, with the upstairs and the
additional seventy five dealers that are up there, I think
(38:18):
that's a nice pool that we can we can term
as apprentices. So if there's a spot that opens up
down here in the main stage, we have a pool
of dealers that have paid their dues and we can
now transition them into the main stage down here. And
I don't know, it's just me thinking in that aspect.
The other thing that is the entire town of Rosemont, Illinois.
(38:43):
I did a Google search this morning. There are forty
one hotels in Rosemont, Illinois. This entire town has been
built for this convention center, and that's what makes this
convention center so special.
Speaker 11 (39:00):
Yeah, I agree. I think the National in Chicago is
definitely a one on one.
Speaker 7 (39:05):
It's a one on one moment.
Speaker 11 (39:07):
Walking in here two days before the show started, just
to see the room for the first time, and then
coming back to see people in here, you know, I
was just in awe of everything and just taking it
all in.
Speaker 7 (39:21):
So it's definitely a one on one moment.
Speaker 6 (39:24):
Does it does need to come back to the East Coast.
Speaker 1 (39:27):
Though, two Nationals? I think the bloom comes off the rows.
I think when you have two or something, you know,
it's like two or two or one on one, right,
which holds more caveat. I only want to see one
National unless you call it something else. I mean, we
do have big other shows right with you know, Dallas
(39:50):
Card Show, The Victor, you know, and Brody Knows the Spectacular,
which is held in this building itself.
Speaker 7 (39:58):
You know.
Speaker 1 (39:59):
I know, it's a different show, but we got fanatics fast.
So I don't want to see two Nationals. But if
they want to do something along those lines, maybe maybe that.
But I'm not called you know, National one in National two.
Speaker 12 (40:15):
It could be the nationals John where suits where suits
when if sue as if you can hear me, I
hope you're enjoying the Nationals. Want to see two Nationals
one National.
Speaker 4 (40:28):
I would probably just extend it. I mean, even if
you go like Sunday to Sunday, you add you add
the previous Sunday and then Monday Tuesday, and then extend
Wednesday to not just a sneak peak. Maybe I don't know,
hypothetically do a sneak peak on the Sunday. That would
probably be the way to go. But I also think
once you start adding those days, the crowds will definitely
start to thin out because you're gonna have people who
(40:50):
can't come out for the whole week, like or at
least they can't come out for the full like Sunday
to Sunday. I mean, you know obviously the dealers and
all of the hot and I mean that's probably another thing.
There's probably hobby shops that are here that their whole
staff is here, so like they can't hypothetically, yeah, they're
maybe making a decent amount of money here, but like
(41:11):
the amount of money that they have to pay and
the amount of money that it takes or travel and
then travel for everybody. I don't know if it's logistically
possible for certain hobby shops to close down for the
whole week and for a whole for you know, missed
out on some of that.
Speaker 1 (41:24):
That does happen, though, I'm not saying every store is
closed here, but there are some looks that are here
that are you know, I have a sign on the
door say National Week, see you Monday. You know what
I mean?
Speaker 4 (41:37):
Yeah, I mean that's right, that's exactly exactly.
Speaker 11 (41:40):
I think to that point, right, we all want to
stay in Candyland forever, but we can't, right, and we
got to get back to reality eventually. But I do
think the commitment that the National is making in terms
of it's it's media content and a way to like,
how can we keep the National at the forefront of
everybody his mind.
Speaker 7 (42:01):
Leading up to this magical week throughout the year.
Speaker 11 (42:04):
And uh, there's a lot of cool projects and a
lot of things that's in the works where you'll be
able to have those exploratory moments throughout the throughout the
calendar months leading up to this magical week that we
all look forward to every year, whereas though like you
know what's happening, you can hear amazing stories. You know,
you get this idea of who's going to be here,
(42:26):
and it's just another way to have that exploration with
the National, even though you're not physically in the building.
Speaker 7 (42:33):
But it's the lead up, the build up to it,
and I.
Speaker 11 (42:36):
Think the commitment that they're making with with media and
making sure the National stays at the forefront of our
minds is gonna gonna help that.
Speaker 1 (42:45):
Yeah, I agree right a lot with with content creation, right,
people love that stuff. I know that firsthand. I'm a
better factor of that firsthand, you know, being being transparent,
but we're we're creating that. Like sam everyone up here
creates content that promotes the hobby. And it's free promotion, right,
(43:08):
We're not charging if you nowhere to send the build
of the hobby, let me know the address. I'm kidding,
but we're promoting the hobby, right, and that's important. So,
like Samuel said, it's nice that they sort of see
that and are comfortable and good with that and sort
of reciprocating that love if you're well and and.
Speaker 7 (43:31):
They also doing it.
Speaker 11 (43:32):
They're thinking about it from a diverse perspective, so like
everyone can have their own point of view on how
they want to explore the hobby, because yes, we're all
in here for cards, but we all explore the hobby
in our own unique way and they're really thinking about that.
So that way, everyone has an avenue to consume the
content that that best suits them and that they what
(43:54):
they want to enjoy.
Speaker 1 (43:57):
So I know what, Victor, and we do this question.
I feel like we do this question every year when
we're up here and you know it's it's in Chicago
the next two years as well. When I went out today,
leave everything here for the year and just come back.
I'm kidding. I know there are other events here, but
(44:17):
who here would want it to just be here every year?
I know? Logan said, yeah, see, I'm an East Coast guy,
like I love this venue. I love Chicago. I enjoy
all the stuff, even outside the show, whether it be
a sporting event. I like to eat. I know that's
hard to believe when you look at me because I'm
(44:38):
every thin, but I love the restaurants. Right. But you
know this, this National always costs me a little bit
more money. I'm not trying to have a pitty party,
maybe a little bit. I'll start a gofund me, but
I have to fly run a car. Yeah, so so
it does cost me a little bit more money to
(44:59):
make the trip. I'm still gonna do it, but I
have a little less money to buy cards. So that's
where the pity party comes in. But I'll still get
those two. I like to see it move around. I
know we're not going to see it in Cleveland now.
Walmart bought that building. For those that don't know. I
know people don't like the city of Atlantic City, but
(45:22):
I'm not going there for the casino. I'm going there
for this show. I'd love to see it come back.
It's a five hour drive for me, but even even
another it doesn't have to be Atlantic City. Somewhere on
the East coast. You know, Samuel's Philly guy, Chris.
Speaker 11 (45:39):
That's my dream Philadelphia, But it happens you got Philly.
Speaker 1 (45:42):
Well, what about Boultemore? What about Boultemore?
Speaker 8 (45:45):
Right?
Speaker 1 (45:46):
What about I've heard Nashville be brought up before. That's
that's a city that's really growing by leafs and bounds.
I'm being told I've never been there. I'm being told
they have a pretty large convention center on par with
the one we're in here today. So maybe Nashville. And
someone told is this true? Somebody told me that the
(46:08):
voting is done for the twenty twenty eight and Atlanta
beat Detroit. Is that right?
Speaker 8 (46:15):
Well, there's a banner in the VIP area that says
congratulations Atlanta twenty twenty eight.
Speaker 1 (46:21):
Really wow, everyone, Like all the leader in the clubhouse
was Detroit. I was almost raking my reservations for Detroit
and then I heard this news and that Chris, you
saw the banner, so apparently, well the verdict is in
twenty twenty eight going to be a Southern a Southern
(46:43):
National in Atlanta, Georgia. I don't mind that, like either
Detroit or Atlanta. You know, I like seeing different cities, right, So,
you know it's been in Atlanta, but it's been over
twenty years. I'm being told for Atlanta, so they're getting
it back again. So if you're going into twenty twenty
(47:04):
eighth National, you're headed to Atlanta.
Speaker 4 (47:08):
Yeah, I mean, I think it being in the middle
of the country makes a lot of sense, just because
you can come from either side. You can come from
either either coast and get here. I mean Chicago, there's
hundreds and thousands of flights every single day, so like
it's it's a little bit easier to get in. Like
I know, Atlantic City you had to like fly to Yeah,
you couldn't fly directly there, so like that was that
was kind of one of the big issues. I mean Atlanta,
(47:30):
that's another huge airports. So I'm sure the flights are
gonna be cheap there as long as the weather is not,
like because summer summers in Atlanta can get up to
like one ten.
Speaker 6 (47:38):
It's super high.
Speaker 4 (47:39):
It's it's hot down there.
Speaker 1 (47:40):
Well, I will say this, the ac it here is
great so far. I don't want to jinx it and
say it too loud. So uh, they've proven that they
can pull off a c Wi Fi seems okay as well,
so maybe they've figured stuff out. So Atlanta is hot,
but inside hopefully it's not or Wally hot. The show
(48:01):
will be hot, Willie, the room won't.
Speaker 4 (48:03):
Be Yeah, And like I mean Dallas, I think would
be it's the infrastructure is already there for that. I
don't know if the Dallas card show would not want
the National in Dallas just because it's like then they're
kind of competing, which I mean they are competing, but
at the same time they're not because it's like people
who are going to the Dallas show are still people
who are going to the National also, So you know,
(48:24):
like I said, middle of the country I think is
probably the best best not way you can get the
West Coast show. West coast people coming in, get the
East Coast, you get maybe people in like Texas and
down south as well.
Speaker 1 (48:33):
See I feel bad for people on the West Coast
because I know you got the Burdbank Card Show, which
is a big show, but national wise, you're always traveling
like Chicago is the closest to home at this point.
The Nationalists, for you, you know, are a East Coast
guys sort of have our KKD too, right, this is
(48:53):
the furthest we've had to go, and we can do it,
or most of us can do it, and then we'll
or we can get it even closer. It's nice to
see again, uh Atlanta with with them winning the dealer vote,
so now we'll have it in the South. But it
would cost me even more money than Chicago already does.
(49:14):
But I would still attend a West Coast show. I've
never been like, what about Seattle, Huge, Sportstown now with
the NHL and and obviously baseball, you know, and I
love to see it in Seattle Portland. I'm just you know,
here's what I'll show you.
Speaker 4 (49:34):
We should just keep saying, uh, different cities, so that
way people in the crowd like we got we got
how about Syracuse, New York, Kansas City, Milton, Delaware?
Speaker 1 (49:47):
Have we heard that the Nebraska I know, I know
I even would vote for that one.
Speaker 12 (49:52):
Have we heard that they're going to still rotate in
Chicago be every other year or are they going to
start just doing new cities every year?
Speaker 1 (50:00):
I don't know what's twenty twenty nine back to Chicago.
I guess we'll know, maybe even after this show what
the next year on the table is, or if it
may not even be on the table, it may just
be Chicago, you know. I think Chicago, like everyone up
here said, is sort of the flags main Yeah, the
(50:22):
flagship of the national right. That's a good way to
put it, Victor. So I think you'll see it here
more in comparison to other cities, but I like that
we'll still be able to see it in other cities,
be it Atlanta or Detroit, which lost. Sorry, Detroit, no offense.
You're used to losing now, I'm just kidding. If you're
from Detroit, my name is Bob Smith. But no, I
(50:48):
like to see it move around too. I'd love to
see it, you know, come back to the East coast,
even Nashville. I know, I mentioned. You know, you've got
tech Texas, even if it's not Dallas. What about Houston, right,
Texas is a big state, you know, not just Dallas.
I know that's a big part of Texas. But you
(51:08):
got Houston, San Antonio, you got other bigger cities there.
So I like to see. I like to see different towns,
different venues. So I have no problem with Chicago. Vegas,
they well they did the Mint Collective there for a
few years. I don't know. I gotta think there's a
convention center in Vegas that can hold hold the event.
(51:32):
So that's a that's a good one by Yeah, and
you two will play while we buy cards, so and
they could do the song. I still haven't found what
I'm looking for. And they have a double meeting sort
of like, well, haven't found that card, but uh no,
I hope it does. You know, h other venues hit
(51:54):
other cities congrats to Atlanta. You know, would you change
I know where I sort of got a few minutes
left this for anybody, would you change anything? Like, would
you take something away or add to anything to make
the national better than it already is.
Speaker 5 (52:17):
I think maybe move the autographs upstairs and have more,
bring all the dealers down here and be in one spot.
Speaker 6 (52:24):
I think that would be something they could do.
Speaker 8 (52:27):
Bring back free perking for VIPs.
Speaker 4 (52:31):
Especially here have Gibson's cater that would be one of
my informent.
Speaker 1 (52:36):
Maybe yeah, I'll sign the petition on all of those.
And but still obviously it's a great event. Like Logan said,
I've stole his line even on my content. Right the
hobby Fan Family Reunion, I don't know if the first
to say it. I always called the Hobby super Bowl,
super Bowl of the Hobby. It's fun. That's why we're
(53:00):
all here. That's why there's so many people here. It's
the week we circle on the counter, and we already
know what the dates are next year, right when, and
so does my employer. They know I won't be at
work that week, so uh, you know, that's it's fun.
I want to thank everyone up here for being part
(53:22):
of this show in this span on, not just today,
but even when we're on our regular content schedule. I
want to take the powers that be here at the
National for letting us do this every year. I know
we've done this quite a bit now, but it's still
an honor and a privilege and and a lot of
fun to share the stage with with some great folks.
(53:43):
So check out their content individually as well. Check out
hobby Hoighline. We might have some news coming down the turnpike.
We'll see how that goes. There's some stickers up here
and some key chains. They are free. Help yourself off, uh,
any anyone wanted any partying words?
Speaker 6 (54:04):
I think Chris should take us out.
Speaker 1 (54:06):
Chris, what do you always say at the end of
the show, Oh yeah, you want me to do the gimmick?
Speaker 6 (54:13):
Do you keep on rocking to the free world?
Speaker 1 (54:16):
Folks? There you go, Thank you mhm.
All right, hello everyone, thank you for being out there.
Welcome to the twenty twenty five National in Chicago. Were
the twenty twenty six. In twenty twenty seven National will
also be My name is Sean Newman, host a sports
cardination hobby Quickheads, Breaking Cardboard. I probably forgot something but
(00:23):
that we only have an hour, so I'll quit there.
I'm gonna we are Hobby Hotline is a Saturday morning,
eleven am Eastern show. Right now. We're on the first
and third Saturdays of each month. For August will be
the second and fourth month, fourth week with the National schedule,
(00:46):
and that may change. We may go back to every week.
We'll see what develops there. Enough of me talking, I'm
gonna have the panelist. Where a show that has I
think fourteen to fifteen different personalities and collectors and people
of the hobby, and I love that and where I
(01:06):
think we're on our fifth year. My math is right,
and we've had some people come through and leave, and
but we've got a great panel Right now, I'm gonna
have everyone sort of introduce themselves to their own content.
We'll kind of start from from left to right. Here
on my left, all right, I appreciate that.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
John Alex Tresler aka Army ATC twenty two anywhere on
social media, you know, I deal with a lot of
the hobby community, you know, capturing those moments that a
lot of people might not be able to see, its
shows and everything else, and I just enjoy it. Twenty
two years Army retired VET and just enjoying that.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
I Gus saw a couple of videos of you from
back in the day. Yeah, the young, young Alex. I
almost didn't recognize you, man.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Yeah, everyone's telling me I should shave the beard off
and you know, go back to the day. So I
posted a few videos from the National here in twenty
thirteen in Chicago. It was the first time I ever
come to the National at Chicago was then, and I
thought it was a good throwback.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Yeah. So if anyone says, hey, you've on't e been
to a hobby four years, you have proof that that's
not true.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
I have receipts, as they say, you know these days, right,
Thanks Elek good.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
I'm Lauren. My handle is Lauren goes here. Everywhere I
do card art, I hand embroidered cards. I am very
happy to be a part of the hobby Hotline Team,
and I also write for collectibles on SI and I'm
also set up with my husband. We go round to
card shows a lot and set up a lot of
basketball high in Basketball, Kobe Jordan, and right now very
(02:42):
heavy on the WWE, which is a lot of fun.
Speaker 4 (02:46):
What's up, everybody? My name is Adam Palmer, Adam Drew Palmer.
On all the platforms, I used to be Heros for Sale.
I also write with collectibles on SI. I have a
daily show on Sportscard Nonsense as well. Been doing a host.
I think I was like the first episode I did
was maybe episode two hundred, and I think we're probably
in like the four hundreds now.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
Yeah, and I think we screwed up to count two.
So there's a couple and then there's a couple of
episodes that never have when we just skipped the number,
so those are the lost episodes. But yeah, it's crazy
five years of doing the show. And again thanks to
everyone up here who's currently part of it. But thank
(03:28):
you to you know, all the people have come through
and have lend their expertise in their time. That's what
makes us what we are.
Speaker 4 (03:36):
Yeah, oh sorry, And then it's TikTok, Instagram, YouTube Adam
Drew Palmer. That's where you can find me everywhere. TikTok
is where I'm trying to cover the show as much
as i can. So I'd appreciate if everybody looked at
those videos because I'm spending a lot of time on those.
So yeah, we'll next.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (03:53):
I'm a logan Ward King Nascar on Twitter and I
also have my own YouTube channel. We do NASCAR Radio,
which is a weekly show just on Nascar cards, believe
it or not, and it drops every Friday, so you
might want to check that out. Nascar Cards I think
are finally coming back. But uh, been on Hobby Hotline
(04:14):
a long time.
Speaker 6 (04:16):
I'm an O. I'm an O, G John says.
Speaker 7 (04:18):
So that's good.
Speaker 6 (04:18):
So I've been on a while. I love Hobby Hotline.
Speaker 5 (04:22):
Uh, please be sure to check it out and check
out my channel and check out NASCAR Radio.
Speaker 7 (04:27):
I got.
Speaker 6 (04:29):
I got my own Mike. I'm Chris Chris.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
Harris, Chris brought Mike with him.
Speaker 8 (04:34):
Yeah, I'm doing this with one arm tied in.
Speaker 1 (04:39):
Front of my don't try this at home. Chris is
a trading profession.
Speaker 8 (04:45):
You might know me from Hobby News Daily.
Speaker 1 (04:53):
We know his resume better than he.
Speaker 8 (04:55):
Come on, I'm still on East Coast time, all right.
I woke up at like five, I have thirty this morning,
and I'm like miserable.
Speaker 7 (05:02):
I'm sorry, And.
Speaker 8 (05:03):
I got Tom Brady over here staring over me like
like like our overlord should have worn my Nick Foles mask,
just to keep it fair. But I used to write
for Hobby News Daily. Maybe I might be writing for
Collecting for SI soon.
Speaker 1 (05:21):
I don't know. Uh.
Speaker 8 (05:22):
And I've been on Hobby Highline almost since the beginning.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
Yeah you're you're your og? Yeah close enough.
Speaker 8 (05:32):
And I used to write a baseball card blog back
in the day called Stale Gum.
Speaker 6 (05:37):
It's been inactive for a while, but still there.
Speaker 9 (05:41):
So I am Victor Roman. I am on YouTube as
Victor the Rookie Card Specialist. My work basically deals with
understanding the history of the rookie cart, proper identification of
a rookie card. I actually did write a book, True
Rookie Cards. I do have copies available if you're interested
(06:03):
in that. After the show, you can contact get a
hold of me. But been with Hobby Hotline for a
few years now. Really enjoy the camaraderie in respect that
we have for one another, and I love the diversity
that we have of so many different voices.
Speaker 10 (06:20):
I'm Brody Touquet. You might know me on Instagram as
Brody the Kid Won. I do the Daily Rip where
I rip a pack of cards every day. I'm obviously
on Hobby Hotline with all these people, and I love
covering sports as long with anything with the hobby, You're
gonna see a lot of posts from me about Chicago
sports as well.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
Ghost Socks and they won yesterday. Brody I brought I
brought him luck. I went to the game and they
beat the Phillies. Sorry, Philly guys, it's another series win.
Speaker 7 (06:51):
We're on fire.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Yeah, I was at the game where the Phillies completely
destroyed them.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
Yeah that was That was the day before. So Alex
brings the Philly luck. I'm not a Sox fan, but
apparently I bring them luck when I show up to
the game, except the four hour rain delay that I
had to sit through before the game started. First question,
I'm gonna ask Big there and Brody, I know you
guys are really disappointed that the Nationals here the next
(07:17):
two years after this one, being Chicago guys. Uh, but
all joking aside, this is in their backyard, so that
must be nice. But all right, let's let's get into
some topics. We'll start off with one that's not a
good one, but it's it's part of the hobby. It's
(07:38):
part of the story and fabric of the hobby. And
and you know, you walk around this building and there
is a lot of autograph memorabilia here, there's autograph cards
and uh, we heard about the story that broke about
a week and a half ago about the forgery scandal
based out of uh in the Indiana and a gentleman
(08:03):
I won't name them who wound up unfortunately, uh, committing
suicide after posting a big, long note basically throwing everyone
involved under the bus. You know this is there there
they're saying when all this smoke and dust, when the
smoke clears and the dust settles, that this is gonna
be probably the biggest scandal UH to hit the hobby.
(08:27):
Obviously that's that's not a good story. But just some
thoughts here, Uh, you know, are the effects going to
trickle down to this year's National Does it affect you
as a collector? And you know where do we go
from here with with it. So whoever, you know, whoever
(08:48):
wants to jump in here.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
Walking around the floor, like you still see a lot
of signed memorabilia, right, you know, I don't. I don't
know if it's just still too fresh right to really
affect the people that were coming here with their inventory,
Like how are they trying to figure out what stuff
that they actually had that possibly was involved with it?
So I'm seeing people buy it all over carrying it around.
(09:18):
But again, TriStar has that lovely pavilion for a reason.
And these days, if you want to make sure it's authentic,
go get it yourself, right, walk up there and get
it signed yourself.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
Yeah, leave no doubt, right, if you get it in person,
you leave no doubt. You know. I talked about this
on my own content. One thing I thought about, you know,
coming into this show, in this event, is there a
lot of autograph dealers here who obviously everything's on the
up and up. They've been around a long time, and
this story, whether they like it or not, it's going
(09:53):
to affect them, right. They're gonna get probably extra questions
like where did you get this? How did you get this?
Because if you heard about this scandal. There's not only
the autographs being fugazi, but even the certains and the holograms.
So you know that that's an extra layer where something
(10:15):
can be sold as real and you think it's real
because it has a hologram or CoA, and that's not real.
Neither is the autograph. So I I, you know, I
think about as a dealer myself, not an autograph dealer.
But they're just gonna have They're gonna be facing a
lot of questions because of someone else's actions. They again,
(10:37):
they could be one hundred percent above born they probably are,
but now they have to deal with you know, it's
like what we do with breakers, right, one bad breaker
and everyone kind of just lumps the whole breaking industry
they're all bad. And I think that's a little bit
what might happen with autograph folks. So for those folks,
(10:58):
you know, I feel I feel a little bit bad
that they're gonna deal with some of the fallout because
the person who's the ringleader of it didn't stick around
the face the music, Adam, I don't know if you know,
you do a daily thing where you talk about breaking
news and topics, like kind of your thoughts and you're
(11:19):
you're a veteran of this show now as well, like
just kind of your general thoughts here.
Speaker 4 (11:25):
Yeah, I mean, transparency is something that I'm always advocating
for in the hobby, whether it's grating or whether it's
more information in packs or anything. I mean, so to
see one of I think one of the bigger scandals,
like you said, from an autograph respective Like I don't
necessarily follow autographs. I just never got into it. The
(11:45):
market is too not not necessarily hot and cold, but
it's either it's too there's too much of a spectrum
between like what's a good autograph, what's a bad autograph?
Athletes are always changing their autograph. So for me, it's
the transparency of it that I really hoping that all
the companies can like learn from and just not just
assuming that we can trust every single company that's in
(12:08):
this industry nowadays, I think is one of the important
things that, like I said, I hope that companies realize
that the more transparency they can give, I think, the
more trust they're going to earn. And that's another thing,
like for so long, it just was the trust from
the consumer was always just it was just not it
was just assumed, you know, So, now that we're seeing
(12:30):
issues like this, it's really kind of It is obviously
going to be a big scandal, and once it becomes
more mainstream, we're going to potentially see the more mainstream
coverage of the industry. So if it's whether you're buying
or selling, or you're doing a show or breaks or anything,
I think that offering the transparency upfront is always going
to be a good move for anybody that's doing any
(12:50):
of that type of stuff.
Speaker 9 (12:52):
Ay, John, I ad can I add? I'm I'm just
been I've been a hobbyist for almost forty years of
my life, and I'm sick and tired of seeing these
phony scams constantly happening within the hobby. I think it's
time to clean this mess up. How do you how
do you how does somebody fake a hologram and get
(13:12):
away with it? I mean that that should that's always
has been the key element of authenticity, and now that
is being threatened. So we either need to step up
our technology or we need to educate people on how
to properly look at a at a at an authentication
(13:33):
hologram to see if it's authentic or not. I also
think it opens up the door for the industry to
really for for fanatics. Let's just call it what it is,
to really bring back consumer confidence in this area. Of
me personally, I have zero confidence in anything memorabilia right now,
and there needs to be some consumer confidence rebuilt, and
(13:57):
I think that should come through fanatics, who holds the
light since in agreements with most of these players.
Speaker 1 (14:04):
Yeah. The only thing I'll say, Victor, and you know this,
I'm not telling you something you don't know. Everyone up
here probably knows this. Any industry, any business where people
can do something illegally to make money, whether it be
Wall Street, real estate, it's gonna happen or it's gonna
be tried to occur. And that's the unfortunate thing because
(14:27):
when you have dollars involved, not everyone wants to make
them the right way.
Speaker 7 (14:31):
Right.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
So, yeah, but you're right, Victor, there's got to be
something more, right. We got to take it to the
next level, correct. You know, I think about people who
make fake money, right, the FBI is in charge of
staying ahead of those folks. It's a chess game. There's
a new technology to make fake bills, and the FBI
(14:55):
upstair game to kind of stay one step ahead of them,
I think, to having need something along these similar lines.
So I'm not saying necessarily the FBI, but the FBI
is involved in this, this scandal. Now, this is a
case there that's on their desk. So so yeah, it's
it's it's it's crazy.
Speaker 9 (15:16):
But John, when it comes to the authenticity of memorabilia
and the autograph's portion side of it, I'm gonna speak
for myself and say that I'm ignorant on the topic.
And the only reason why I'm ignorant on the topic
is not because I'm not interested. It's because there's a
lack of education out there. And that's how do we
overcome ignorance in any category. It's education, education, education.
Speaker 1 (15:41):
So are you saying you're going to be pivoting from
doing rookie card content to regulation and an authograph.
Speaker 9 (15:52):
That's for somebody else?
Speaker 1 (15:55):
Chris, I kind of interrupted you.
Speaker 8 (15:58):
But there's there's kind of a class of consumer out
there that really isn't buying these autographs for themselves. They're
probably buying them for their loved ones. They may not
be sports fans. How do you educate that person?
Speaker 1 (16:15):
Yeah, that's tricky. I thought. That's another one of the
first things I thought of when this story broke, right,
how many dads or moms or grandparents bought a Patrick
Mahomes autographed item for for their son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter,
assuming it was real. It was priced sort of as
if it was real, and they gave it as a
(16:36):
gift for whatever, a birthday or Christmas. And that young
person in this scenario believes they have a Patrick Mahomes auto.
That may not be a Patrick Mahomes auto. And that's
that's that's said commentary.
Speaker 8 (16:52):
Could be a Patrick Mahomes auto, could be his dad?
Speaker 2 (16:54):
Yeah, can can can those can those parents adopt me?
Because his auto is expensive?
Speaker 1 (16:59):
All right? Well you only have to walk around the
show ten minutes outs to know there's some serious cash
exchange in hands. But yeah, Victor's right, you know anything
better that can make that process better? You know my
advice and I do a little autograph stuff for more
cards percentage wise, but I do buy autograph stuff. Ask questions, right,
(17:25):
if you're making a purchase, check the cert make sure
the number matches in the database in the registry that's online.
You know, I said, I feel bad because they're gonna
get peppered with questions. But if you're buying it from
a dealer or whether it's here in person or online, right,
ask that person, can you give me some of the
(17:46):
provenance of of how you acquire this and that sort
of thing. Do some research, especially if it's a bigger purchase, right,
if it's high three figures, four figures, that's something that
you should probably do your due diligence before you just
hand over your hard earned money. So so for sure,
(18:07):
it's you know, it's sad to see, but you know,
probably not the last time it's gonna happen, and hopefully
not on this kind of magnitude when it does.
Speaker 5 (18:20):
So being a hobbyist for fifty four years, I'm like, victory,
this really makes me mad. Yeah, we are old, but
I used to like it when I would see news
articles or things on TV about cards. But now, you know,
(18:40):
the other night I saw on the NBC Nightly News
Caitlin Clark rookie it's six hundred.
Speaker 6 (18:46):
And sixty thousand dollars.
Speaker 5 (18:48):
People are like, oh my gosh, that's the lure of
easy money. You know, the hobbies become more mainstream, so
you get this this element that comes in thinking that
they can trick people, can take their money. And I
see a lot of hobby greed that I just I
don't like, and it's really really upsetting to me.
Speaker 6 (19:09):
I want my hobby back.
Speaker 5 (19:11):
I don't like the way it's going in the direction
that it's going, as far as you tell them. Yeah,
but uh, you know, being a NASCAR guy, you know,
I feel bad for the people that have bought these autographs.
Uh me personally, it doesn't I don't think it really
affects me because I don't buy any of those kind
(19:32):
of autographs.
Speaker 6 (19:34):
But it's really a bad, a really bad deal.
Speaker 7 (19:37):
And uh, I.
Speaker 5 (19:38):
Hope we can, like you said, Victor, h educate people
and get our arms around this and and weed these
people out and get rid of them, because I'm tired
of it.
Speaker 6 (19:48):
I mean, I'm honestly tired of it.
Speaker 9 (19:50):
Yeah, I'll get in on the you know, as far
as the education site, how do we get that out
to the masses in the world of social media, that
should be fairly easy to do.
Speaker 1 (20:01):
Yeah, But you're right, You're right, Rictor. But like Logan said,
you do have some people that they're not hobbyists per se,
but they're they're transacting in the hobby. They're making a
hobby purchase while they themselves may not be a hobby
is So that's where the disconnect lies. And I'm not
(20:21):
gonna pound the table because it's not my table. But
I'm mad too. I'm mad too. I've been in the hobby,
you know, uh forty years. What is it? I want
to know what is it with this side of the
three tables. It's like all the old people.
Speaker 6 (20:39):
Do you get over here?
Speaker 7 (20:40):
You're on the wrong side.
Speaker 1 (20:41):
Well, no, we're keeping them. We're keeping them because he
brings the average age of the side of the table
down so we don't feel as bad. So we're we
now have an average age of thirty two years old
on this side of this.
Speaker 4 (20:55):
Well I heard we were running a four v four
basketball game after this, So I just want to make
sure that you know I'm on this side, just so
that way, you know, probaty, you can come over here
if you would like to, and just if you want
one the one last.
Speaker 1 (21:10):
So all right, let's let's you know, from one great
story to another one. Very few people who are active
in the hobby don't have their cards graded or by
graded cards, and there are people who deal with just
wraw cards. But the grading, as we all know, is
a huge aspect of the hobby. It's a huge aspect
(21:30):
of what we do up here, right, you know, full transparency.
SGC is a sponsor of the Sports Card Nation podcast.
I'm happy to say they re up through twenty twenty five,
So got my fingers crossed. But you know Peter Steinberg,
who's a good friend of mine and I know him
(21:50):
real well through the years, and he recently stepped down
I'll just word it like that step down from SG
see after seven great years there and building a great
company and a great brand. And you know, I'm sure
everyone up here has heard all the speculation in rumors
(22:11):
that this could be the end of SGC. I know
Ryan Hoach went on another podcast and talked about making
them sort of boutique whatever that means. I don't know
if you can get like a vintage dress there now.
I really don't know what boutique means. But I loved
the brand. I loved the brand before they were sponsored,
(22:34):
So that's not me shilling or being a homer. I
used them before they were ever sponsored them and psa
coincidence by there, and I don't want them to go away,
you know, And I think a lot of people don't
want them to go away. A lot of people are
mad at collectors for some decisions and how things have went.
(22:59):
But you know, speaking from a selfish point of view,
I want to see the brand live on. I bokes
up for them. They did away with those rates. It
is what it is. I still do it at a
different price level, but you know, they've they've been around
twenty plus years themselves, and I think having him part
(23:19):
of the grading terrain and is important and I don't
want to see him go away. Just some others thoughts here,
whoever want to chime in, you know, whether you want
to make a prediction or what you think or how
you feel.
Speaker 8 (23:34):
Allow well, speaking as a former anti trust economist, when
you have the dominant player in a marketplace buys out
one of their competitors and all that's left are basically
number two and number four, Now, that doesn't that doesn't
(23:56):
pit past the smell test to me. And I know
my former colleagues at my former employer have a lot
better things to do right now with their time. But
I'm surprised that this as it a this acquisition is
past anti trust mustard.
Speaker 1 (24:17):
Yeah, well listen, but there's other there's other grading where
Look I can see him from here, CDC. You know
you have you have other.
Speaker 6 (24:25):
But you know that PSA grades what seventy.
Speaker 8 (24:28):
Five eighty percent of the market.
Speaker 1 (24:31):
Yeah, no, I don't completely disagree. I just don't. I
don't know if there's enough there to build that. Lauren
or Brody, we we we haven't really heard from you.
I'm gonna put you on the spot here to chime in.
Speaker 3 (24:43):
I'm ready. Yeah, I like s you see. Actually, I
I know PSA is the popular one. There's a couple
of things I perse I personally don't prefer PSA. I.
I don't like the sliding scale pricing. I'm not a
(25:04):
big fan of that. You know that they evaluate the
price of your card and it's, you know, purely subjective
based on them. I don't like that there's no transparency
about the grade. You don't know the breakdown of like
why you've got a nine instead of a ten, or
why a beautiful card is now graded a PSA six.
Speaker 6 (25:26):
I don't love that.
Speaker 3 (25:27):
I personally had a card that I pulled that was
really big for me, a cocoa Uh. Cocoa GoF gold
and it was the same week that she won the
US Open and that was huge for me. And we
submitted it to PSA and they which we don't usually grade,
but we were like, this is a big card for us.
We'll put it in a PSA slab.
Speaker 6 (25:44):
And like lock it up.
Speaker 1 (25:46):
And it was.
Speaker 3 (25:47):
We got an email that it was a ten, but
they damaged it in the ceiling process and now it's
an eight. And that's a PC card that is very.
Speaker 6 (25:55):
Personal to me.
Speaker 3 (25:56):
That is now you know, it has a story behind it,
but not a good one. It had a great story
behind it.
Speaker 6 (26:01):
And now it's like wamp wamp.
Speaker 3 (26:03):
So I didn't mean for this to turn into a
rant against BSA, but I'm not a fan. So my
point being in relation to SUC, I love SGC. I
think their their pricing is good. I like their slabs,
the turnaround time is good. I do live in Florida,
so it's like, you know, pretty great for me, and
I think I think it's good to have diversity because
(26:24):
people have different preferences and you know, there's different card
designs and stuff. People sometimes like the esthetics better of
SGC or Beckett versus p s A or CGC, and
I I like SGC. I hope that they stick around.
I know that it's a behemoth going up against bs A.
If anybody could do it, it'd be Beckett. And you
(26:45):
know it's hard, it's a hard market, but I think
you got to stick with what you love and and
support the companies that support you back. And I ride
for SGC. I like SGC a lot, and I'm not
opposed to PSA. I know that it's the standard and
people love it. But for me, personally, I will not
submit a card to PSA. Again, that's just personally how
(27:07):
I feel. So I hope ASGC thrives and sticks around.
Speaker 10 (27:11):
So yeah, So I mean, I'm not personally a person
that grades that much. I buy graded cards, but I
think in the long run we need as many companies possible,
more grading companies the better, especially since I would think
it's fair to say a sgc's number two or number three,
(27:32):
And you know, I want the quality control of the
top companies to stay well and I don't think it's
crazy to say that. Ever since Tops has extended their
deal and as soon to get the football and basketball deals,
the quality control hasn't been as good as before. And
I think a lot of people have noticed that with
the three hundred dollars tops chrome boxes that aren't guaranteeing
(27:54):
you a number card, we need competition or else the
whole hobby can become an holy.
Speaker 1 (28:00):
Yeah. I agree, well said Brody, you know, you know,
keep est. I hope they keep SGC around and let
people make that choice. Right. There's rumors that they want
SGC to be like their vintage, and I'm not opposed
to that. I'd rather that than than them phase them out.
(28:22):
At least they're still around, and I do a lot
of vintage, so it's right in my wheelhouse if if
you will. But you know, we'll see, but you know,
we'll time will tell. I thought it was a good
sign when they reupt through the end of the year,
so I'm assuming that means we'll have them at least
(28:43):
in twenty twenty five, and then we'll see what twenty
twenty six brings.
Speaker 6 (28:49):
Yeah, I think.
Speaker 4 (28:50):
I mean, I'm come originally from like playing sports video games,
like the cards in the video games, and eventually I
was like, there's got to be a way to trade
cards in real life make money from it. So like
the one thing that everyone complains about in the video
game industry is just like the exclusive publishers like EA
and like Sony that make the MLB game, they can
(29:10):
just come out with the same game basically. I mean
that's what they've been doing. They come out with a
new engine every five ten years or so. But like
if you were to play Madden whatever twenty five versus
Madden twenty one, it's the same exact game. So it's
they come out with the new features, which is good.
But I think, like Brody was saying, I just think
like we need as many companies, we need to give
collectors the option to choose what grading card company they
(29:34):
can go to. I mean, I think at this point
it's maybe a little bit too late for them to
choose like what cards they want to buy, because Tompson
fanatics are buying all those licenses. But I think the
more options for collectors is gonna just ultimately be It's
gonna lead to a healthier market where there's not only
one option, you have multiple options.
Speaker 1 (29:55):
Yeah, for sure, And well time will tell, right, I
think they're safe for twenty five. I'll go out on
that limb and you know, I get asked all the
time between them being a sponsor, me using them folks
of then and I really don't have as crazy as
it sounds, I don't have any insider trading. I kind
of like, like you know, Chris said, like you can
(30:18):
kind of see how this goes with other mergers and acquisitions.
But all right, let's go on a little more positive stuff. Now,
let's let's get some national talking here to National this
year expanding. I haven't seen it yet, so I can't
add any commentary. I'm gonna acquiesce to the panel up here.
(30:41):
But they had what I think seventy five more dealers
with a limit of one table. They are new, all
new dealers from what I'm being told, So some new
blood for those that like new blood and see some
new selections and new showcases. I think that's good, right,
(31:02):
I follow on both sides. I think someone who's done
the show for forty years should get to continue to
do the show. You know, be loyal to who have
helped build your your show, right. You know I promoted
a few shows back in the day. If someone did
every show I did, there, they're automatically as long as
(31:23):
they want to be in the next show. I think
that's how it should be. But it's nice to see
them sort of expand add some more room, add some
more fresh faces, some new dealers. I have not seen
this the area yet. I will obviously, but has anybody
on the panel seen it and your thoughts on it.
Speaker 3 (31:46):
I mean, I'll say my husband and I are I
see I'm Staniel's here. I will say we are one
of the new vendors and we are very stoked and
very grateful that we are able to get in here.
And it's been bonkers for us. We've done Dallas, we
did Fanatics best, so yes, yeah, we're we're over there
(32:11):
kind of like next to Panini, so we're not upstairs,
which everybody go check out upstairs. Also if you didn't know,
there are more who was upstairs to check that out.
But we're over that way and it's it's awesome, it's great.
I agree with you that the people who built this
show do deserve to keep their spot if they want it.
I think that's really important. And there's people that this
(32:31):
is this is a super Bowl for us, So there
are people that this is the only time of year
that you see these people, and it might be you
might have been coming here for forty five years and
you want to see that person. You wanted to check
in with them, see what they're up to, see what
they've got, you know, see what your collections look like.
That's important and that's an important part of the hobby community,
I think. But as somebody who is coming in new
(32:54):
and fresh, I really appreciate that opportunity to become the
future fabric of that because it's very hard to get
in here and we don't take that for granted. And yeah,
I think I think it is important to to make
room for people where you can, because it's and and
there are people, there are bad actors who you know,
just hold their table down or they sell it for
(33:15):
you know, an astronomical price or whatever. And I know
that's few and far between, but I think it's good
that they're making way for the future. I know the
National has also really stepped up their social media and
their outreach, their email marketing, their their influencers. I mean,
it's very important and very helpful to push the lobby forward,
(33:36):
and I think it's making for a better show personally.
Speaker 1 (33:39):
So so. Habbie Heatline just made its first in game trade.
Here's the trade, as as the announced we traded Alex
Tresler for mister Samuel Evans and a player to be
named later. Now I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding went
that far, But I'm not kidding. Mister Samuel ev is here.
(34:01):
I have them introduced yourself. I know I just gave
you one, but you'll do a better one than I
just did.
Speaker 7 (34:07):
So what's going on everyone?
Speaker 11 (34:10):
I hope everyone is having amazing forty fifth National. This
is my second national. Cleveland was my first one. This
is my first time in Chicago for the National, and
I'm excited to see where the National goes over the
next couple of years, especially with all not going anywhere. Yeah,
(34:31):
I'm excited to see where it go because over the
next couple of years, there's so many amazing programs that's coming.
We're building out educational program through these specific four pillars
of collecting, and it's going to be amazing to see
how the next generation of collectors, you know, take the
hobby to the next level, and not just from like
(34:53):
the collecting side, but the other side, the industry side,
the entrepreneurial side, and then that sustainability place and just
making sure that this access points for everyone to appreciate
and explore this thing that we all love because you know,
just on this table there are collectors who've been in
this space, sitting in this room. Collectors have been in
(35:16):
this space for you know, longer than I've been alive.
And it's just amazing to see the national have that
forward thinking about like how can we you know, nurture
and create access points for the next generation of collectors
so they can carry the torch one day.
Speaker 7 (35:33):
And it's amazing. And you know, this.
Speaker 1 (35:35):
Side of the table, Samuel, we're on their way out,
not Brody, but the rest of us. So you weren't here,
but while the old guys sort of just migrated to
this side of the table, but we recruited Brody to
bring our average age down to like thirty two.
Speaker 11 (35:53):
And you know, not to get on my soapbox, but
I'm an educator by day.
Speaker 7 (35:57):
I'm a principal. I'm a middle school principal.
Speaker 11 (36:00):
This is like my passion and it's awesome that I
get to combine my professional what I do as a
professional with my personal passion as a collector storyteller. And
I just want to say, in this room, they're gonna
be thousands and thousands of people coming in and out
of this building every day and just take the time
(36:20):
to stop and check in what someone and meet someone
new and learn their cardboard story, and you never know
from that connection the friendship, the lifelong friendship, the connection
that you might build with that person and next thing
you know, you're waiting to meet with meet and see
them at the National every year.
Speaker 6 (36:40):
Yeah, the National.
Speaker 5 (36:41):
For me, we've come to call it the family Reunion.
I think this is my twenty first National. I'm trying
to lost count, but you know, I see people like
I see people.
Speaker 6 (36:53):
In the crowd. There's Jeremy Lee out there.
Speaker 5 (36:54):
I saw Rob and Ivan over here, just people that
I really love and I only get to see him
once a year.
Speaker 6 (37:01):
So for me, the National, like I said, is just
a big family reunion.
Speaker 5 (37:06):
You know, there are cards involved as well, but it's
a lot of fun.
Speaker 6 (37:10):
Glad to see the crowds. I can remember when this
room was just the National.
Speaker 5 (37:15):
We didn't have the cubby hole, we didn't have anything
over there on the other side, nothing upstairs. It's amazing
how well it's grown. It's my favorite venue. I like
coming here better than anything, and I wish that they
would I would love to see it stay here and
have its permanent home here, but I know that's not
gonna happen.
Speaker 9 (37:35):
Hey, John, Yeah. I'd like to make two points about
the National. First is seniority. I can respect the hierarchy
of dealers that are tenured and protecting their rights to
first dibbs. But being in Chicago, we're a strong union organization,
(37:56):
and as a railroad worker myself, I understand the importance
of seniority and agreements. But at the same time, in
my line of work, there's a thing called apprentices and
I think that's the one thing that the National has
been lacking. But this year, with the upstairs and the
additional seventy five dealers that are up there, I think
(38:18):
that's a nice pool that we can we can term
as apprentices. So if there's a spot that opens up
down here in the main stage, we have a pool
of dealers that have paid their dues and we can
now transition them into the main stage down here. And
I don't know, it's just me thinking in that aspect.
The other thing that is the entire town of Rosemont, Illinois.
(38:43):
I did a Google search this morning. There are forty
one hotels in Rosemont, Illinois. This entire town has been
built for this convention center, and that's what makes this
convention center so special.
Speaker 11 (39:00):
Yeah, I agree. I think the National in Chicago is
definitely a one on one.
Speaker 7 (39:05):
It's a one on one moment.
Speaker 11 (39:07):
Walking in here two days before the show started, just
to see the room for the first time, and then
coming back to see people in here, you know, I
was just in awe of everything and just taking it
all in.
Speaker 7 (39:21):
So it's definitely a one on one moment.
Speaker 6 (39:24):
Does it does need to come back to the East Coast.
Speaker 1 (39:27):
Though, two Nationals? I think the bloom comes off the rows.
I think when you have two or something, you know,
it's like two or two or one on one, right,
which holds more caveat. I only want to see one
National unless you call it something else. I mean, we
do have big other shows right with you know, Dallas
(39:50):
Card Show, The Victor, you know, and Brody Knows the Spectacular,
which is held in this building itself.
Speaker 7 (39:58):
You know.
Speaker 1 (39:59):
I know, it's a different show, but we got fanatics fast.
So I don't want to see two Nationals. But if
they want to do something along those lines, maybe maybe that.
But I'm not called you know, National one in National two.
Speaker 12 (40:15):
It could be the nationals John where suits where suits
when if sue as if you can hear me, I
hope you're enjoying the Nationals. Want to see two Nationals
one National.
Speaker 4 (40:28):
I would probably just extend it. I mean, even if
you go like Sunday to Sunday, you add you add
the previous Sunday and then Monday Tuesday, and then extend
Wednesday to not just a sneak peak. Maybe I don't know,
hypothetically do a sneak peak on the Sunday. That would
probably be the way to go. But I also think
once you start adding those days, the crowds will definitely
start to thin out because you're gonna have people who
(40:50):
can't come out for the whole week, like or at
least they can't come out for the full like Sunday
to Sunday. I mean, you know obviously the dealers and
all of the hot and I mean that's probably another thing.
There's probably hobby shops that are here that their whole
staff is here, so like they can't hypothetically, yeah, they're
maybe making a decent amount of money here, but like
(41:11):
the amount of money that they have to pay and
the amount of money that it takes or travel and
then travel for everybody. I don't know if it's logistically
possible for certain hobby shops to close down for the
whole week and for a whole for you know, missed
out on some of that.
Speaker 1 (41:24):
That does happen, though, I'm not saying every store is
closed here, but there are some looks that are here
that are you know, I have a sign on the
door say National Week, see you Monday. You know what
I mean?
Speaker 4 (41:37):
Yeah, I mean that's right, that's exactly exactly.
Speaker 11 (41:40):
I think to that point, right, we all want to
stay in Candyland forever, but we can't, right, and we
got to get back to reality eventually. But I do
think the commitment that the National is making in terms
of it's it's media content and a way to like,
how can we keep the National at the forefront of
everybody his mind.
Speaker 7 (42:01):
Leading up to this magical week throughout the year.
Speaker 11 (42:04):
And uh, there's a lot of cool projects and a
lot of things that's in the works where you'll be
able to have those exploratory moments throughout the throughout the
calendar months leading up to this magical week that we
all look forward to every year, whereas though like you
know what's happening, you can hear amazing stories. You know,
you get this idea of who's going to be here,
(42:26):
and it's just another way to have that exploration with
the National, even though you're not physically in the building.
Speaker 7 (42:33):
But it's the lead up, the build up to it,
and I.
Speaker 11 (42:36):
Think the commitment that they're making with with media and
making sure the National stays at the forefront of our
minds is gonna gonna help that.
Speaker 1 (42:45):
Yeah, I agree right a lot with with content creation, right,
people love that stuff. I know that firsthand. I'm a
better factor of that firsthand, you know, being being transparent,
but we're we're creating that. Like sam everyone up here
creates content that promotes the hobby. And it's free promotion, right,
(43:08):
We're not charging if you nowhere to send the build
of the hobby, let me know the address. I'm kidding,
but we're promoting the hobby, right, and that's important. So,
like Samuel said, it's nice that they sort of see
that and are comfortable and good with that and sort
of reciprocating that love if you're well and and.
Speaker 7 (43:31):
They also doing it.
Speaker 11 (43:32):
They're thinking about it from a diverse perspective, so like
everyone can have their own point of view on how
they want to explore the hobby, because yes, we're all
in here for cards, but we all explore the hobby
in our own unique way and they're really thinking about that.
So that way, everyone has an avenue to consume the
content that that best suits them and that they what
(43:54):
they want to enjoy.
Speaker 1 (43:57):
So I know what, Victor, and we do this question.
I feel like we do this question every year when
we're up here and you know it's it's in Chicago
the next two years as well. When I went out today,
leave everything here for the year and just come back.
I'm kidding. I know there are other events here, but
(44:17):
who here would want it to just be here every year?
I know? Logan said, yeah, see, I'm an East Coast guy,
like I love this venue. I love Chicago. I enjoy
all the stuff, even outside the show, whether it be
a sporting event. I like to eat. I know that's
hard to believe when you look at me because I'm
(44:38):
every thin, but I love the restaurants. Right. But you
know this, this National always costs me a little bit
more money. I'm not trying to have a pitty party,
maybe a little bit. I'll start a gofund me, but
I have to fly run a car. Yeah, so so
it does cost me a little bit more money to
(44:59):
make the trip. I'm still gonna do it, but I
have a little less money to buy cards. So that's
where the pity party comes in. But I'll still get
those two. I like to see it move around. I
know we're not going to see it in Cleveland now.
Walmart bought that building. For those that don't know. I
know people don't like the city of Atlantic City, but
(45:22):
I'm not going there for the casino. I'm going there
for this show. I'd love to see it come back.
It's a five hour drive for me, but even even
another it doesn't have to be Atlantic City. Somewhere on
the East coast. You know, Samuel's Philly guy, Chris.
Speaker 11 (45:39):
That's my dream Philadelphia, But it happens you got Philly.
Speaker 1 (45:42):
Well, what about Boultemore? What about Boultemore?
Speaker 8 (45:45):
Right?
Speaker 1 (45:46):
What about I've heard Nashville be brought up before. That's
that's a city that's really growing by leafs and bounds.
I'm being told I've never been there. I'm being told
they have a pretty large convention center on par with
the one we're in here today. So maybe Nashville. And
someone told is this true? Somebody told me that the
(46:08):
voting is done for the twenty twenty eight and Atlanta
beat Detroit. Is that right?
Speaker 8 (46:15):
Well, there's a banner in the VIP area that says
congratulations Atlanta twenty twenty eight.
Speaker 1 (46:21):
Really wow, everyone, Like all the leader in the clubhouse
was Detroit. I was almost raking my reservations for Detroit
and then I heard this news and that Chris, you
saw the banner, so apparently, well the verdict is in
twenty twenty eight going to be a Southern a Southern
(46:43):
National in Atlanta, Georgia. I don't mind that, like either
Detroit or Atlanta. You know, I like seeing different cities, right, So,
you know it's been in Atlanta, but it's been over
twenty years. I'm being told for Atlanta, so they're getting
it back again. So if you're going into twenty twenty
(47:04):
eighth National, you're headed to Atlanta.
Speaker 4 (47:08):
Yeah, I mean, I think it being in the middle
of the country makes a lot of sense, just because
you can come from either side. You can come from
either either coast and get here. I mean Chicago, there's
hundreds and thousands of flights every single day, so like
it's it's a little bit easier to get in. Like
I know, Atlantic City you had to like fly to Yeah,
you couldn't fly directly there, so like that was that
was kind of one of the big issues. I mean Atlanta,
(47:30):
that's another huge airports. So I'm sure the flights are
gonna be cheap there as long as the weather is not,
like because summer summers in Atlanta can get up to
like one ten.
Speaker 6 (47:38):
It's super high.
Speaker 4 (47:39):
It's it's hot down there.
Speaker 1 (47:40):
Well, I will say this, the ac it here is
great so far. I don't want to jinx it and
say it too loud. So uh, they've proven that they
can pull off a c Wi Fi seems okay as well,
so maybe they've figured stuff out. So Atlanta is hot,
but inside hopefully it's not or Wally hot. The show
(48:01):
will be hot, Willie, the room won't.
Speaker 4 (48:03):
Be Yeah, And like I mean Dallas, I think would
be it's the infrastructure is already there for that. I
don't know if the Dallas card show would not want
the National in Dallas just because it's like then they're
kind of competing, which I mean they are competing, but
at the same time they're not because it's like people
who are going to the Dallas show are still people
who are going to the National also, So you know,
(48:24):
like I said, middle of the country I think is
probably the best best not way you can get the
West Coast show. West coast people coming in, get the
East Coast, you get maybe people in like Texas and
down south as well.
Speaker 1 (48:33):
See I feel bad for people on the West Coast
because I know you got the Burdbank Card Show, which
is a big show, but national wise, you're always traveling
like Chicago is the closest to home at this point.
The Nationalists, for you, you know, are a East Coast
guys sort of have our KKD too, right, this is
(48:53):
the furthest we've had to go, and we can do it,
or most of us can do it, and then we'll
or we can get it even closer. It's nice to
see again, uh Atlanta with with them winning the dealer vote,
so now we'll have it in the South. But it
would cost me even more money than Chicago already does.
(49:14):
But I would still attend a West Coast show. I've
never been like, what about Seattle, Huge, Sportstown now with
the NHL and and obviously baseball, you know, and I
love to see it in Seattle Portland. I'm just you know,
here's what I'll show you.
Speaker 4 (49:34):
We should just keep saying, uh, different cities, so that
way people in the crowd like we got we got
how about Syracuse, New York, Kansas City, Milton, Delaware?
Speaker 1 (49:47):
Have we heard that the Nebraska I know, I know
I even would vote for that one.
Speaker 12 (49:52):
Have we heard that they're going to still rotate in
Chicago be every other year or are they going to
start just doing new cities every year?
Speaker 1 (50:00):
I don't know what's twenty twenty nine back to Chicago.
I guess we'll know, maybe even after this show what
the next year on the table is, or if it
may not even be on the table, it may just
be Chicago, you know. I think Chicago, like everyone up
here said, is sort of the flags main Yeah, the
(50:22):
flagship of the national right. That's a good way to
put it, Victor. So I think you'll see it here
more in comparison to other cities, but I like that
we'll still be able to see it in other cities,
be it Atlanta or Detroit, which lost. Sorry, Detroit, no offense.
You're used to losing now, I'm just kidding. If you're
from Detroit, my name is Bob Smith. But no, I
(50:48):
like to see it move around too. I'd love to
see it, you know, come back to the East coast,
even Nashville. I know, I mentioned. You know, you've got
tech Texas, even if it's not Dallas. What about Houston, right,
Texas is a big state, you know, not just Dallas.
I know that's a big part of Texas. But you
(51:08):
got Houston, San Antonio, you got other bigger cities there.
So I like to see. I like to see different towns,
different venues. So I have no problem with Chicago. Vegas,
they well they did the Mint Collective there for a
few years. I don't know. I gotta think there's a
convention center in Vegas that can hold hold the event.
(51:32):
So that's a that's a good one by Yeah, and
you two will play while we buy cards, so and
they could do the song. I still haven't found what
I'm looking for. And they have a double meeting sort
of like, well, haven't found that card, but uh no,
I hope it does. You know, h other venues hit
(51:54):
other cities congrats to Atlanta. You know, would you change
I know where I sort of got a few minutes
left this for anybody, would you change anything? Like, would
you take something away or add to anything to make
the national better than it already is.
Speaker 5 (52:17):
I think maybe move the autographs upstairs and have more,
bring all the dealers down here and be in one spot.
Speaker 6 (52:24):
I think that would be something they could do.
Speaker 8 (52:27):
Bring back free perking for VIPs.
Speaker 4 (52:31):
Especially here have Gibson's cater that would be one of
my informent.
Speaker 1 (52:36):
Maybe yeah, I'll sign the petition on all of those.
And but still obviously it's a great event. Like Logan said,
I've stole his line even on my content. Right the
hobby Fan Family Reunion, I don't know if the first
to say it. I always called the Hobby super Bowl,
super Bowl of the Hobby. It's fun. That's why we're
(53:00):
all here. That's why there's so many people here. It's
the week we circle on the counter, and we already
know what the dates are next year, right when, and
so does my employer. They know I won't be at
work that week, so uh, you know, that's it's fun.
I want to thank everyone up here for being part
(53:22):
of this show in this span on, not just today,
but even when we're on our regular content schedule. I
want to take the powers that be here at the
National for letting us do this every year. I know
we've done this quite a bit now, but it's still
an honor and a privilege and and a lot of
fun to share the stage with with some great folks.
(53:43):
So check out their content individually as well. Check out
hobby Hoighline. We might have some news coming down the turnpike.
We'll see how that goes. There's some stickers up here
and some key chains. They are free. Help yourself off, uh,
any anyone wanted any partying words?
Speaker 6 (54:04):
I think Chris should take us out.
Speaker 1 (54:06):
Chris, what do you always say at the end of
the show, Oh yeah, you want me to do the gimmick?
Speaker 6 (54:13):
Do you keep on rocking to the free world?
Speaker 1 (54:16):
Folks? There you go, Thank you mhm.
Popular Podcasts
New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce
Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!