Graden Cards LLC Sports Market Insight Issue 4 1/3/25

Welcome to the fourth issue of Sports Market Insight! This week, we’re diving into recent market trends across sports cards and TCG cards, providing insights into what’s hot and what to buy right now.

Main Section: All Sports

Trend: Rising Interest in Hall of Fame InducteesWith the Hall of Fame season underway, cards of players who are strong candidates for induction are gaining traction. Baseball and football collectors, in particular, are looking for graded rookies and signed cards of these legends.

What to Buy:

• Baseball: Rookies of Scott Rolen, Todd Helton, and Andruw Jones.

• Football: Rookies and signed memorabilia of recently inducted players like Joe Thomas or strong future candidates such as Luke Kuechly.

Football Cards

Trend: Breakout Quarterbacks of the SeasonBrock Purdy and Trevor Lawrence have been lighting up the league, leading their teams to playoff contention. Their rookie cards are in high demand, especially high-grade parallels and autographs.

What to Buy:

• 2021 Prizm Trevor Lawrence Silver Prizm Rookie Card.

• 2022 Optic Brock Purdy Downtown Inserts.

Baseball Cards

Trend: Preseason Buzz for Top ProspectsAs spring training approaches, MLB's top prospects are making headlines. Collectors are gravitating toward Bowman Chrome prospects cards, particularly from the 2022 and 2023 releases.

What to Buy:

• Jackson Holliday 1st Bowman Chrome Refractors.

• Ethan Salas Bowman Sapphire Edition cards.

Basketball Cards

Trend: Victor Wembanyama ManiaThe 2023 NBA Draft's No. 1 pick, Victor Wembanyama, continues to dominate the market with his on-court performances. Collectors are chasing his rookie cards from Panini’s latest releases.

What to Buy:

• 2023 Prizm Draft Picks Victor Wembanyama Color Parallels.

• 2023 Chronicles Wembanyama Autographs.

Hockey Cards

Trend: Connor Bedard's DominanceConnor Bedard’s incredible rookie season has made his cards the most sought-after in hockey. His Upper Deck Young Guns Rookie is leading the market for modern hockey cards.

What to Buy:

• 2023-24 Upper Deck Young Guns Connor Bedard RC.

• SP Game Used Bedard Jersey or Patch Cards.

Soccer Cards

Trend: Upcoming Major TournamentsWith the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, players who are likely to shine on the global stage are seeing increased attention. Lionel Messi's MLS debut and rising young stars like Jude Bellingham are particularly hot right now.

What to Buy:

• Lionel Messi 2023 Topps Chrome MLS Inserts.

• Jude Bellingham 2022 World Cup Prism Parallels.

TCG Cards: Pokémon, Garbage Pail Kids, Yu-Gi-Oh!

Pokémon

Trend: Nostalgia and ScarcityClassic sets like Base Set and Neo Genesis are still dominating auction results. Modern sets with alternate art cards are also hot, with Evolving Skies leading the way.

What to Buy:

• Charizard 1st Edition Base Set (graded).

• Umbreon VMAX Alternate Art (Evolving Skies).

Garbage Pail Kids

Trend: 80s Nostalgia RevivalCollectors are snapping up rare cards from the original series and chasing low-numbered parallels in new releases.

What to Buy:

• 1985 Garbage Pail Kids OS1 Adam Bomb Cards.

• 2023 Chrome Garbage Pail Kids Sapphire Edition.

Yu-Gi-Oh!

Trend: Competitive Play DemandStaples for competitive decks are in high demand. Cards from the latest sets are especially valuable for tournament play.

What to Buy:

• Dark Magician 1st Edition from LOB (graded).

• Starlight Rare cards from Photon Hypernova.

Stay tuned for next week’s issue, where we’ll explore mid-season basketball updates, the impact of the Super Bowl on card values, and emerging TCG trends.

Happy collecting!

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and not financial advice. Conduct your own research or consult a professional before making purchases.