Sports Market Insight Issue 12 (5/23/25-5/30/25) Graden Cards LLC

Welcome to this week’s Sports Market Insight, your go-to source for what's moving the sports and TCG card markets. We're diving into key plays across every major sport, plus TCG highlights, and closing with an investing tip you can use today.

All-Sports Market Pulse

Collectors and investors continue to focus on liquidity as market volatility increases. We're seeing a renewed interest in players with playoff potential, especially in basketball and hockey. Meanwhile, football is picking up steam as anticipation for training camp builds.

Across the board:

• Slabs under $100 are moving quickly at shows and online.

• Rare inserts and numbered parallels are gaining traction over base PSA 10s.

• Autographs, especially on-card, are fetching stronger premiums than sticker autos.

Football Card Focus: Rookie QB Cards Surge

The 2024 NFL rookie class has captivated collectors, with standout performances driving significant interest in their cards:

• Jayden Daniels: After a stellar rookie season with the Washington Commanders, Daniels' cards are among the hottest in the market. His 2024 Topps Chrome Rookie Autographs and Panini Prizm Color Blast inserts are commanding premium prices, with the Color Blast ranging between $8,000–$12,000. Beckett+1CGC Cards+1

• Bo Nix: The Denver Broncos' quarterback led all rookies in completions, passing yards, and touchdowns. His 2024 Topps Chrome Rookie Autographs are gaining traction among collectors. NFL DESIGNS+1Beckett+1

• Caleb Williams: Despite a slight dip in prices post-draft, Williams' cards are expected to rebound. His 2024 Topps Chrome Rookie Autographs and Panini Prizm Color Blast inserts remain highly sought after. Beckett

Tip: Focus on securing low-population parallels and autographs of these rookies before the preseason hype escalates their prices further.SI

Baseball Card Trends: New Faces Emerge

As the MLB season progresses, several young players are making significant impacts, both on the field and in the card market:

• Kristian Campbell (Red Sox): The 22-year-old has impressed early in the season, hitting .364 with two home runs in his first 10 games. His emergence has sparked interest in his rookie cards. SI

• Jackson Merrill (Padres): Building on a strong rookie season, Merrill is off to a hot start in 2025, slashing .378/.415/.676 with three home runs in 10 games. His 2024 Topps Chrome rookie cards have seen a 29% increase in value over the past two weeks. SI

• Logan O'Hoppe (Angels): The 25-year-old catcher is showcasing his offensive prowess, hitting .345 with five home runs in his first seven games. His 2023 Topps Chrome Rookie Autograph Refractor cards are gaining attention. SI

Tip: Monitor the performance of emerging players and consider investing in their rookie cards early, before their market values peak.

Basketball Card Breakdown: Playoff Pumps

The NBA Playoffs are a spotlight machine. Key players are gaining momentum both on and off the court—and their card prices are reflecting that.

• Anthony Edwards is leading the charge; his 2020 Prizm Silver PSA 10 has jumped over 22% in 2 weeks.

• Jayson Tatum prices dipped slightly but present a buying opportunity if the Celtics push to the Finals.

• Chet Holmgren hype is real as OKC surprises fans. His autos and low-pop parallels are moving fast.

Tip: Avoid overpaying during playoff spikes—wait until elimination dips to grab value.

Hockey Card Heat: Goalie Gold

As the NHL Playoffs intensify, so does the goalie market. Low-pop Young Guns and The Cup RPAs are flying off shelves.

Top targets:

• Jake Oettinger and Igor Shesterkin are showing solid short-term upside.

• Connor Bedard cards are still top-tier blue-chip assets. His Young Guns parallel variations (Exclusives /100, High Gloss /10) are breaking records.

• Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid cards are playoff stablecoins—dependable and in-demand.

Tip: For value, look for goalie Young Guns BGS 9.5s—low pop, good margins, and overlooked by casual collectors.

Soccer Card Scene: Euro 2024 Anticipation

The soccer market is waking up as collectors prep for Euro 2024 and Copa América.

What’s hot:

• Jude Bellingham is scorching. His Topps Chrome Sapphire rookies and autos are setting new highs.

• Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi inserts and autos from 2014-2018 are climbing—low supply, high nostalgia.

• Florian Wirtz is a Euro breakout candidate. His rookie sticker and Topps Finest autos are rising quietly.

Tip: Buy before the tournament begins—prices often spike during the group stage and fall fast afterward.

TCG Tracker: Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh Momentum

Pokémon

Scarlet & Violet era releases are finally building collector buzz. The big chase is:

• Iono SAR 271/193 – Already trending as a modern grail.

• 151 Ultra Premium Collection sealed boxes are appreciating fast—great for long-term sealed collectors.SI+1Sports Collectors Digest+1

Yu-Gi-Oh!

Vintage sealed boxes like Legend of Blue-Eyes White Dragon are moving up again, especially in PSA-authenticated slabbed form.

Tip: Graded modern alt-art Pokémon cards in PSA 10 are yielding 15–22% ROI in 3 months for top-tier trainers.

Investing Tip of the Week: Watch the Pop Count

If you’re looking for long-term ROI, always track population reports.

Why?

• A PSA 10 that seems valuable can crash if the pop explodes.

• Low-pop parallels, especially /10 or less, maintain value even during market dips.

• Pop growth trends tell you when to sell—if pop doubles in 6 months, that card is about to get oversaturated.

Bonus Strategy: Use Market Movers or Card Ladder to track pop and comp charts before making large purchases.

From the CEO's Desk – Aiden Long | CEO Desk

Hey collectors,

This week, I’ve been thinking about patience. It's tempting to buy into every hype cycle. But the best collections—and best flips—come from long-term thinking and detailed research. That’s how Graden Cards was built. We’re not here to make a quick buck. We’re here to build a better, fairer marketplace where your goals matter.

At the next show, come by the booth. We’re always happy to talk shop, look at collections, and help you buy or sell smarter.

Stay sharp and keep collecting what you love.

—Aiden Long | CEO DeskGradenCards.com