Sports Market Insight Issue 14 (6/6/25-6/13/25) Graden Cards LLC

Welcome to this week’s Sports Market Insight, your trusted breakdown of what’s moving, what’s stalling, and what to watch next in the world of sports and trading cards. This week, the spotlight is back on key MLB prospects, major developments in WNBA and NBA cards, and a continued rise in TCG authentication services.

🌍 Big Picture Trends

• Global Market Growth: The global sports trading card market is projected to more than double, from $11.5 billion in 2024 to $23.6 billion by 2034, showing steady long-term demand.Source: Zion Market Research

• Authentication Is Exploding: Card authentication services are booming — with the TCG and sports card grading market expected to hit $6.6 billion by 2033.Source: GlobeNewswire

🏀 Basketball Card Pulse

📈 On the Rise

• Caitlin Clark Mania: Her PSA-graded cards have topped 105,000, with prices up 15–25% week-over-week.

• Cooper Flagg Pre-Draft Buzz: Collectors are already paying premiums for early Cooper Flagg cards, expecting draft-night hype to spike value.

📉 Cooling Off

• Victor Wembanyama Base Cards: Non-numbered base cards are down ~12% as investors look toward scarcity and color matches.

🔎 Watchlist

• Donovan Clingan & Stephon Castle: Both are drawing draft hype — stash Bowman U and Topps Now issues before they enter NBA product lines.

⚾ Baseball Card Momentum

📈 Trending Up

• Paul Skenes: His high-end Bowman Chrome autos have hit new highs, and a patch card just sold for $1.1 million privately.

• Jasson Domínguez: Return to action is near — his Sapphire PSA 10s are rebounding quickly as collectors prepare for a second surge.

📉 Trending Down

• Elly De La Cruz: Prices are down 10–15% following some slumps at the plate. Investors are moving to other young stars.

• Jackson Holliday: Some minor league inconsistency has cooled his market temporarily.

🔎 Watchlist

• Yanquiel Fernandez & Rayner Arias are picking up chatter among prospectors — expect Chrome demand to follow.

🏈 Football Card Radar

📈 Trending Up

• Drake Maye: His Bowman University autos are up nearly 18% since last month — demand is driven by strong training camp talk.

• Bo Nix: Low-numbered autos and Prizm color parallels are seeing more bids as Denver buzz grows.

📉 Cooling Off

• Kenny Pickett: Sharp decline post-trade — even patch autos are going for under $40 in some places.

🔎 Watchlist

• Rookie WRs like Rome Odunze and Keon Coleman are gaining low-key attention — sleeper buys before preseason.

🏒 Hockey Card Insights

📈 Trending Up

• Connor Bedard: Young Guns PSA 10s continue to hover around $900–950. Demand remains consistent post-season.

• Leon Draisaitl: Short print Cup cards are trending upward due to playoff push and Oilers excitement.

📉 Cooling Off

• Logan Cooley: No NHL playoff spotlight means prices remain soft. Could rebound in October.

• Matty Beniers: Down 10–12% as Kraken buzz fades.

⚽ Soccer Card Watch

📈 Trending Up

• Lamine Yamal: A rare card just sold for over $100K. His market is red hot ahead of Euro competition.

• Jude Bellingham: Continues to climb with every Real Madrid performance — collectors are chasing Chrome color.

📉 Cooling Off

• Cristiano Ronaldo & Erling Haaland: Base card fatigue has set in. Look for low pop parallels or numbered issues only.

🃏 TCG Market Breakdown

🔥 Pokémon

• Obsidian Flames Charizard ex PSA 10s have slipped 17%, but WOTC-era sealed product remains a long-term stronghold.

🧠 Yu-Gi-Oh!

• Dark Magician Girl Ghost Rare continues to hold value above $300 in PSA 10 form. Collectors still love nostalgic sets.

💎 Garbage Pail Kids

• Atom Bomb remains king — graded ‘85 OS1 cards continue to command top dollar from collectors and investors.

💸 Investing Tip of the Week

Always Check Population Reports

Before dropping serious money on any card, check PSA/BGS population counts. A card with 3,000 PSA 10s isn’t rare — no matter how pretty it looks. Target low pop parallels and autos, especially if numbered under 100, to maximize long-term value.

🧍‍♂️ Message from the CEO — Aiden Long

As always, thank you to every buyer, seller, and reviewer who’s supported Graden Cards LLC. Every single review, referral, and transaction helps push us forward in this mission to make collecting better, safer, and more personal.

If you’re ready to consign, trade, or buy, we’re here to help — not just to sell, but to build long-term hobby success together.

Stay sharp,Aiden Long | CEO Deskwww.gradencards.com