Collector Nation

Football season is officially underway, and Ryan Alford and Bella are breaking down what that means for the football card market. With an unusually strange rookie quarterback class and none of the rookie QBs expected to start, they discuss which players collectors should actually be watching and where value could emerge as the season develops.
Ryan and Bella also react to Drake Maye’s three-interception fourth quarter and discuss whether his current card prices accurately reflect what he has proven on the field. Ryan still believes in Maye’s long-term potential, but the question becomes whether a dip is coming and, if it does, whether collectors should buy it.
The conversation also covers Arch Manning’s exclusive Topps deal, the impact of his family name on his card market and the latest installment of Collector Nation’s Iconic Cards series featuring the 1986 Fleer #57 Michael Jordan, including Ryan’s childhood connection to one of basketball collecting’s most recognizable cards.
Topics Covered
The start of football card season
The rookie quarterback market
Why no rookie QBs are starting
Football rookies to watch
Drake Maye’s card prices
Drake Maye’s three-interception fourth quarter
Is Drake Maye a buy on a dip?
Caleb Williams vs. Drake Maye
Arch Manning’s exclusive Topps deal
The Manning name and card-market hype
Bowman Football prospects
1986 Fleer Michael Jordan #57
What makes the Jordan card iconic
Ryan’s childhood Jordan collecting story
Collector Nation app and collection tools
🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode
Collector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation_
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornation
Collector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstation
Ryan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford
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Burbank Sports Cards owner Rob Veres joins Ryan Alford and Brian Ludden live from The National to discuss nearly four decades of building one of the hobby’s most recognizable card shops and how the collector experience continues to evolve.
Rob explains why affordable singles remain at the heart of Burbank’s business, how the store can see as many as 1,700 customers in a single day, and how technology, social media and an inventory of roughly 2.4 million different cards have transformed the way collectors shop.
The conversation also explores the explosive growth of Pokémon and TCG, changing demographics within the hobby, Burbank’s approach to AI and retail technology, building a multigenerational family business and why Rob believes the future of collecting still comes down to creating an experience people want to be part of.
Topics Covered
The history and growth of Burbank Sports Cards
Affordable cards and the collector experience
1,700 customers in a single day
2.4 million different cards in inventory
Pokémon and TCG growth
Sports cards vs. TCG
Technology and AI in card shops
Digital pricing and in-store kiosks
Social media’s impact on retail
New demographics entering the hobby
Building a family business
The future of local card shops
Why Burbank will remain one destination
🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode
Collector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornation
Collector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstation
Burbank Sports Cards
Website: https://burbankcards.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/burbankcards
Ryan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford
Brian Ludden / Ludex
Website: https://www.ludex.com
App: https://www.ludex.com/download
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ludexapp
⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, follow Collector Nation, leave a 5-star review, and share it with another collector.

Ryan Alford, Brian Ludden and Bella are back with another Collector Nation hobby roundtable covering the latest shifts in sports cards, from new technology to overlooked vintage and junk-wax-era cards.
The crew breaks down Topps Instant Packs after Ryan tries the new $100 format himself, debating what digital ripping of real physical cards could mean for collectors, hobby shops, breakers, vaulting and card resale. Ryan also explains why breakers may have an overlooked advantage when major cards are pulled and buyers want immediate liquidity.
They also talk about the massive card collection Ryan recently picked up, the unexpected Peyton Manning 1/1 hiding inside it, growing interest in older inserts and pop culture cards, the iconic Bo Jackson card, football season returning and what’s next for Collector Station and Collector Nation.
Topics Covered
Topps Instant Packs
The future of sports card ripping
$100 four-card packs
Fanatics Collect and vaulting
Breaker buyback opportunities
The Peyton Manning 1/1 discovery
Buying massive card collections
Junk-wax-era cards gaining value
Shaq and Tim Duncan cards
Entertainment and pop culture cards
Collector Station’s Topps distribution
Football Debut Patches
Football season and Ludex scan data
Bo Jackson’s iconic 1990 card
Modern appreciation for junk-wax-era stars
🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode
Collector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornation
Articles Mentioned
Topps Chrome Black: https://thecollectornation.com/analysis/buyback-offers-breaker-leverage
Time Duncan https://thecollectornation.com/analysis/the-shaq-spike-is-real-it-is-structural-and-the-sports-card-lessons
Shaq: https://thecollectornation.com/analysis/shaquille-oneals-card-market-has-doubled-since-mid-july-and-nobody
Collector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstation
Ryan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford
Brian Ludden / Ludex
Website: https://www.ludex.com
App: https://www.ludex.com/download
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ludexapp
⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, follow Collector Nation, leave a 5-star review, and share it with another collector.

Pristine Auction founder and CEO Jared Kavlie joins Ryan Alford live from The National to talk about the rapid evolution of auctions, live selling, and where he sees opportunity in today’s collectibles market.
Jared explains why live selling has already grown to roughly half of Pristine Auction’s sales, shares the story behind a Michael Jordan signed rookie that sold in the $40Ks, and breaks down why signed vintage cards and game-used jerseys continue to catch his attention.
They also discuss Pokémon, Trade Night at The National, Pristine’s original Days of Thunder car, faster auction formats, and what’s next for Pristine Auction as the hobby continues to evolve.
Topics Covered
Michael Jordan signed rookie
Growth of live selling
Signed vintage cards
Game-used jerseys
Pokémon and TCG
The original Days of Thunder car
Trade Night at The National
10-second auctions
Pristine Auction’s selling model
What’s next for Pristine Auction
🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode
Collector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornation
Collector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstation
Ryan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford
Jared Kavlie / Pristine Auction
Website: https://www.pristineauction.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pristineauction
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pristineauction
⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, follow Collector Nation, leave a 5-star review, and share it with another collector.

Could Michael Jordan’s 1998 Finals jersey really be worth over $15 million?
Ryan Alford, Brian Ludden and Bella Shafer break down the upcoming sale, debate what the jersey is actually worth, and discuss whether game-worn memorabilia is becoming an even bigger part of the collectibles market. Their predictions range from $25 million to more than $40 million.
They also take a hard look at the new Topps flagship football release, discuss whether affordable wax can still deliver an exciting ripping experience, revisit the iconic 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie, and talk modern chase cards, Frozen Fractors, Minions, SPs and SSPs.
Topics Covered
Michael Jordan’s 1998 Finals jersey
The $100 million valuation debate
Game-worn memorabilia vs. cards
Topps flagship football
Hit rates and affordable wax
1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr.
Kyrie Irving Frozen Fractor
Modern inserts and chase cards
SP/SSP scarcity
Collector Station live selling
Check out Pristine Auction and use code NATION at PristineAuction.com and you'll knock $20 off your first win.
🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode
Collector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornation
Collector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstation
Ryan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford
Brian Ludden / Ludex
Website: https://www.ludex.com
App: https://www.ludex.com/download
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ludexapp
⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, follow Collector Nation, leave a 5-star review, and share it with another collector.