Stacking Slabs

Fanatics Fest is built on excitement.
Big pulls. Big personalities. Big moments.
That energy matters. It brings people into the hobby.
But what happens after the excitement fades?
In this episode, Brett shares why the next generation of sports card businesses will separate themselves by making customers smarter. From Topps, PSA, eBay, and Card Ladder to Mike Inouye's work in Formula 1 cards, this episode explores why education compounds while hype expires.
If you run a hobby business, create content, or want to understand where the professional side of the industry is heading, this episode is about building trust that lasts.
Also in this episode:
• Lessons from Fanatics Fest after Day 1
• Why informational content creates stronger customers
• The difference between building dependency and building capability
• How educational content becomes a competitive advantage
• This week's Hobby Jobs spotlight featuring COMC's Corporate Counsel, Commercial & Legal Operations role
Every business wants attention.
The best businesses earn confidence.

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Record sales continue to reshape the wrestling card market.
Adam and Ryan break down the Rock and Stone Cold dual Superfractor sale, Bianca Belair's WrestleMania Patch Auto, Rhea Ripley's momentum, and why collectors are chasing wrestlers who have already cemented their legacy.
The conversation goes beyond the sales.
They discuss why GOAT wrestlers, GOAT sets, and GOAT cards continue gaining strength while many collectors remain focused on the next prospect.
They also preview SummerSlam, share updates on Wrestling Card Takeover at The National, and explain how collectors, dealers, and investors should respond when the market reaches new highs.
If you're trying to build a collection with a long-term mindset, this episode is for you.

RSVP for Wrestling Card Takeover at The National on July 31
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Every collector has cards they understand immediately.
Then there are the cards that take years to appreciate.
Pack and Brett explore why some football cards become hobby staples while others never seem to catch on. They discuss the history behind PMGs, why Tom Brady continues to separate himself from every other retired player, and what international NFL legends deserve more attention.
They also dive into vintage football cards, linebacker legends, recent Card Ladder sales, and answer listener questions that challenge how collectors think about value and hobby history.
Topics include:
• Building an all-time international football card starting lineup
• Why PMGs still divide collectors
• Is Tom Brady in a league of his own?
• Vintage football cards worth knowing
• The latest market sales
• Listener mailbag and collecting philosophy

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Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype

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Everyone will be talking about what happens at Fanatics Fest.
Brett is more interested in what it means.
In this episode of Stacking Slabs, Brett looks beyond the athlete appearances, product releases, and show floor buzz to examine Fanatics Fest as a signal for where the hobby is headed.
He explores how Fanatics has built an ecosystem that connects sports, collecting, commerce, content, and loyalty, and why attention has become one of the most valuable assets in modern collecting. He also shares why he's attending the event as an observer, what he'll be watching on the show floor, and how Fanatics Fest and The National now serve different roles in the hobby.
This isn't a preview of the weekend.
It's a conversation about the forces shaping the future of collecting.

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Every collector dreams about landing a grail.
Very few spend enough time thinking about how to price one.
When a card has little or no sales history, the normal playbook breaks down. There are no clean comps. No chart to follow. No market consensus to lean on.
That is where your judgment matters.
In this episode, Brett shares a framework for evaluating grails when public sales data falls short. He covers how to build a substitute universe, evaluate opportunity frequency, negotiate from a position of strength, know when to walk away, and determine the maximum price you can defend without lying to yourself.
A grail is not only a collecting decision.
It is a financial decision.
It is a psychological decision.
It is a test of discipline.
If you're heading to Fanatics Fest, The National, or you're chasing a card that rarely surfaces, this episode will help you think through the biggest purchase your collection might ever face.

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Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today
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