Podcast Summary
Sports card market shifting towards normalcy with potential for innovation: Prominent figure Gary Vaynerchuk sees potential for innovation in the sports card market, especially with technology integration, while the market remains attractive to collectors despite a shift towards normalcy
The sports card market, similar to the NFT market, is experiencing a shift towards normalcy after a period of high excitement. Gary Vaynerchuk, a prominent figure in the sports card industry, sees potential for innovation and improvement in the market, especially with the integration of technology. He is excited about the upcoming Sports Card National Convention and the opportunity to discuss innovations in the industry with a company represented there. The card market, according to Gary, is in a fun spot, with the day-to-day experience significantly better than it was a few years ago. While not at the COVID highs, the market still attracts collectors, with some digital collectibles, or NFTs, being compared to the rare and valuable trading cards like Jordan rookies or Charizard.
Mascot: A Game-Changer in Collectibles Management and Sales: Mascot is an innovative company revolutionizing collectibles management and sales with its multi asset sales channel optimization technology, integrations with major grading companies, and multi sales channel platform.
Innovation is at the forefront of the collectibles industry, and a new company called Mascot is leading the way with its multi asset sales channel optimization technology. Mascot CEO Ezra Levine shared on a podcast that the company aims to make managing and selling collectibles easier and faster than ever before. With integrations and partnerships with major grading companies like PSA, Beckett, SGC, CGC, and TAG, users can input one detail of their items and have all the data and high-res images populate. This can be done through dragging and dropping images, inputting serial numbers, or uploading spreadsheets. Mascot's platform also offers a multi sales channel for selling collectibles, aiming to improve the downright terrible selling experience in the collectibles industry. The company's name, Mascot, was inspired by its acronym, which stands for multi sales channel technology. Mascot's innovative approach to collectibles management and sales is a game-changer for collectors and a sign of the industry's ongoing evolution.
Mascot: Connecting Inventory to Multiple Marketplaces: Mascot is a free middleware platform for small-scale sellers, connecting inventory to eBay, Amazon, Shopify, Instagram, and more, saving time, eliminating double sales, and maximizing exposure. Premium features include algorithmic pricing and advanced tools for elite sellers.
Mascot is a middleware platform that connects your inventory to multiple marketplaces, allowing you to create one listing and have it automatically synced across eBay, Amazon, Shopify, Instagram, and other platforms. This saves time, eliminates the risk of double sales, and maximizes exposure to potential buyers. The platform is free for small-scale sellers and offers premium features for elite sellers, including algorithmic pricing and advanced tools. Mascot aims to provide value to sellers by simplifying the process of managing and selling inventory across multiple platforms. The company has been in operation for about a year and a half, having taken over an existing technology from SlabFolio. The vision is to make the process of selling inventory as efficient and profitable as possible, with a freemium model and additional commercial arrangements with vendors. The future of Mascot includes the integration of AI and other advanced technologies to enhance the user experience and provide even more value to sellers.
Exploring the Innovative World of Mascot in Collectibles Market: Mascot, a new platform, is revolutionizing the collectibles industry with improved UI/UX, strategic partnerships, and direct API feeds for increased speed.
Mascot, a new platform in the collectibles market, is making waves with its efficiency and wide range of applications. The speaker, who has a background in collectibles and finance, was initially impressed by the product's potential to streamline the industry. Since joining the team four months ago, they have focused on improving the UI/UX, forming partnerships, and increasing platform speed through direct API feeds. The speaker also shared their personal collecting journey, from being a city boy growing up in New York and being a sports card collector during the junk wax era, to rekindling their passion for collectibles through their father's enthusiasm and eventually joining the industry through VaynerSports and the USFL. Overall, Mascot's advancements and the speaker's personal experiences highlight the excitement and potential for innovation in the collectibles market.
Discovering Passion for Collectibles through Personal Experiences: Collecting is not just about valuable items, but also personal connections and fond memories. The collectibles industry is experiencing a resurgence, offering opportunities for both enjoyment and business growth.
The collectibles industry, specifically trading cards, has seen significant growth and transformation in recent years. Starting from personal experiences, the speaker shares how he discovered his passion for collectibles through hobbies and relationships. He was initially drawn to the industry's legacy and potential, despite its perceived archaic business models and technology. As he grew older and the industry evolved, he noticed a shift in public perception, with collectibles gaining a cool factor and becoming more socially acceptable. One of his favorite childhood memories was discovering a Derek Jeter rookie card, which reminded him of his admiration for the baseball player and inspired his Little League batting stance. He also emphasized that collecting was not just about the most valuable items but rather about personal connections and fond memories. As someone deeply involved in the business, he observed a resurgence of interest in trading cards, particularly from those who had left the hobby during the COVID-19 pandemic. He views the current market as a tale of two aspects: pricing and activity. While pricing has seen a decline from the peak, the activity market is picking up, with more people re-entering the hobby. Overall, the collectibles industry continues to offer opportunities for both personal enjoyment and business growth.
Iconic sports collectibles continue to perform well despite challenges: Values of iconic sports collectibles, such as Michael Jordan Fleer 8610 and Mantle 52 Topps baseball cards, have seen significant increases in recent years, with NFTs potentially solving issues related to trading memorabilia.
Despite the challenges faced in the sports collectibles market during the COVID-19 pandemic, iconic collectibles have continued to perform exceptionally well. For instance, the Michael Jordan Fleer 8610 card, which was worth $40,000 in 2020, is now valued at around $160, representing a 4x increase in just four years. Similarly, the value of collectible baseball cards like the Mantle 52 Topps has skyrocketed, with pre-COVID prices of $400 now reaching millions. Vintage basketball cards, including those featuring Wagner, are also breaking records. While some collectors prefer memorabilia, others struggle with it due to its bulkiness. However, the market for memorabilia has exploded, and NFTs may provide a solution for those looking to trade it more easily. The market for sports collectibles is still small compared to other ways to engage with sports, such as fantasy sports or gambling, but the potential for growth is significant due to the elimination of friction in the market. Overall, the sports collectibles market is bullish, with many iconic pieces experiencing exponential growth.
Collectibles market surge during pandemic: The collectibles market, driven by sports cards and NFTs, saw increased demand and decreased friction during the pandemic, with new entrants and large investments fueling growth. Despite market downturns, the imbalance between buyers and sellers highlights ongoing friction, being addressed through tech and new players.
The collectibles market, specifically sports cards and NFTs, experienced a significant surge during the COVID-19 pandemic due to increased demand and decreased friction in buying and selling. This trend is expected to continue as a new generation of entrepreneurs and fans enter the market, and large companies invest in the hobby. Despite the recent market downturn, the imbalance between buyers and sellers highlights the significant friction in the market, which is being addressed through technology and new players in the space. The pandemic accelerated trends in the collectibles market, and these changes are likely to have a lasting impact.
Exploring the Future of Digital Assets with Web 3 and NFTs: Web 3 technology and NFTs are set to revolutionize the digital collectibles market with seamless management and selling processes, and CGC's expansion into sports is a promising sign of growth.
The discussion revolved around the excitement for the future of eliminating friction in the world of digital assets, specifically through Web 3 technology and NFTs. The speakers expressed their enthusiasm for the ease and convenience of managing and selling digital collections, using the example of a new product that makes the process seamless and efficient. They also highlighted the potential of CGC, a company dominating the grading of collectibles, as they expand into the sports market. The interface of this new product was praised for its simplicity and user-friendliness, making it a game-changer in the industry. Overall, the conversation emphasized the potential for significant growth and innovation in the digital collectibles market.
Speaker praises CGC grading system for collectibles: The CGC grading system's conservative approach, user-friendly submission process, and efficient organization tools make it a valuable resource for collectors and investors in the collectibles market.
The CGC grading system, with its conservative approach and user-friendly submission process, is gaining attention in the collectibles market. The speaker, who has submitted a large number of cards for grading, praises the system's efficiency and ease of use. The CSV download and drag-and-drop feature allow for seamless organization and management of graded cards in a CRM. The speaker also notes the importance of good imagery and data management for collectors and investors. Additionally, the speaker expresses excitement about the potential of the CGC grading system for NFTs and digital collectibles. Overall, the speaker's experience and positive feedback highlight the value and convenience of the CGC grading system for collectors and investors in the collectibles market.
A collector's knowledge test: Naming the release year of iconic rookie cards: A diverse and comprehensive collection, along with quick thinking skills, are essential for successful card collecting. Engaging in friendly competition with fellow collectors can also be an enjoyable experience.
During a lively discussion about the most influential rookie cards of all time, a collector challenged his friends to a quiz game where they had to name the year of release for various iconic cards, without using any cards that were in the collector's personal collection. Despite being rusty and having some missteps, the collector managed to identify several cards correctly, showcasing his extensive knowledge of sports cards despite not being a fan of some of the specific players or cards in question. The game highlighted the depth of the collector's collection and his ability to think on his feet, even when faced with some unexpected challenges. It also underscored the importance of having a diverse and comprehensive collection, as well as the joy of engaging in friendly competition with fellow collectors.
A Father's Love and the Value of a Rare Sports Card: Collectors cherish their rare sports cards for personal reasons and gather at events like the National to connect with others in the community, sharing stories and passion for the hobby.
The hobby of collecting sports cards, specifically the Topps Football Jim Brown rookie card, holds significant value and sentiment for many individuals. The speaker shared a personal story about his father's collection and the importance of this specific card to their family. The National event is a significant gathering place for collectors, where they can showcase their prized possessions and connect with others in the community. The speaker expressed his disappointment in losing to the interviewee but remained optimistic about the future and the progress the industry has made in recent years. Overall, the conversation highlighted the passion and dedication of collectors and the importance of events like the National in bringing them together.
