Sports Market Insight From Graden Cards LLC Issue 8 2/14/25

Sports Market Insight | This Week’s Trends and Analysis

The Sports Card Market: Fresh Trends and Emerging Opportunities

The sports card market continues to evolve, with exciting new shifts influencing collector and investor behavior. This week, soccer cards are surging in popularity as the UEFA Champions League resumes, while NFL off-season speculation is already impacting player valuations. Additionally, the rise of niche sports like F1 and tennis is creating new opportunities for collectors.

Football Cards: Off-Season Speculation Driving Value

With the Super Bowl over, collectors are turning their attention to off-season moves and next season’s prospects:

• Rising: Caleb Williams' college cards are gaining traction, with many expecting him to be the top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

• Falling: Aaron Rodgers' market is dipping, with uncertainty surrounding his comeback after an injury-plagued season.

Baseball Cards: Spring Training Buzz

Collectors are gearing up for the MLB season, with young talent leading the market trends:

• Jasson Domínguez is gaining attention as he recovers from injury, with investors hoping for a breakout season.

• Shohei Ohtani's Dodgers debut is fueling demand for his cards, particularly autographed and parallel variations.

Basketball Cards: Rising Stars Beyond the Rookies

While Wembanyama continues to be a major draw, other players are making waves:

• Tyrese Maxey is seeing a price spike, with his strong performances pushing the 76ers toward a deep playoff run.

• Jalen Green’s cards are dipping, as the Rockets struggle to find consistency this season.

Soccer and Niche Sports: Unexpected Market Growth

• Soccer: Kylian Mbappé’s rumored transfer is driving up interest in his rookie cards, while Jude Bellingham continues to be a hot prospect.

• F1: Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari for the 2025 season has collectors snapping up his early-career cards.

• Tennis: Carlos Alcaraz’s dominance is making his rare rookie cards a strong long-term investment.

TCG Market: New Releases Shaking Up the Game

• Pokémon: The release of the Pokémon Paradox Rift set is generating buzz, with rare pulls already commanding high prices.

• Garbage Pail Kids: Special edition nostalgic releases are bringing new collectors into the market.

• Yu-Gi-Oh!: The new ban list has shaken up the competitive scene, affecting the demand for staple cards.

Final Thoughts: Where to Watch Next

With major sports seasons shifting gears, collectors should keep an eye on off-season football moves, rising international soccer stars, and continued hype around emerging basketball talent. Niche markets like F1 and tennis are becoming strong alternative investments, while TCG remains a powerhouse.

Stay tuned for next week’s Sports Market Insight!