Neil & Justin are back breaking down the week’s wildest headlines in the sports-card world.

💸 Whatnot’s $225 Million Series F Raise → $11.5 B valuation, new investors, and what it says about tech money flowing back into collectibles.

🧢 Fanatics’ grip on the game → licensing power, product control, and whether anyone can keep up.

🏀 Topps Basketball returns! → print runs, parallels, and that Target-aisle buzz collectors can’t resist.

🎤 Upper Deck fires shots at speculators → is it truth, shade, or survival talk?

💼 Panini wax as an alternative asset. 

💫 Caitlin Clark & the WNBA boom or bust? 

🚀 A sneak peek at Cardonomics —a new spinoff on tech + finance in collectibles.

In this episode of In Cards We Trust, Neil and Justin sit down with the legendary collector and hobby thinker, Spinotron (Dingyu). From his early days opening packs in Beijing to assembling one of the most respected collections in the world, Spino shares his origin story, his academic background in math and physics, and how those skills shaped his unique way of analyzing the card market.

🏀 Spino’s first big pulls and the early grails that shaped his collecting journey.

📈 The evolution of the hobby from the 90s to today — including market cycles, “commodity cards” vs. “coffin cards,” and lessons learned from past peaks and dips.

🔍 His methodology: why checklists, scarcity, and historical context matter more than hype.

💎 High-end debates: NT vs. Flawless vs. Immaculate.  

📦 Sealed wax, grading philosophies, authentication, and the importance of provenance.

🌍 The future: digital assets, Panini NFTs, and why Spino believes blockchain cards could rival physical grails for the next generation. 

On this week’s episode of In Cards We Trust, Neil and Justin dive headfirst into one of the hottest auction nights the hobby has ever seen. With major sales happening simultaneously on Alt, Fanatics Premier, and Goldin Elite, the guys break down the nuclear numbers and what they mean for the market.

🔥 Winners & Losers – Soccer cards lead the charge with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi rookies going stratospheric, while Kobe Bryant’s logo men dominate Fanatics. But not everything is hot—Babe Ruth vintage and Caitlin Clark cards show signs of cooling.

📈 Tier One vs. Tier Two – A candid debate on what makes a true “tier one” card, whether it’s population one grails of Mantle, Jordan, and Brady—or elite patches and one-of-ones in today’s market.

💡 Market Sentiment – From billionaire collectors buying for legacy to whales chasing high-grade slabs, Neil and Justin explore how FOMO, eye appeal, and registry culture are shaping where money flows.

🎴 Collector Insights – Favorite cards of the night, investment plays like Elly De La Cruz, and a reminder to tread carefully when “pop one” numbers can be misleading.

Episode 13 – Wrestling, Soccer & the State of the Hobby.

This week on In Cards We Trust, Justin and Neil welcome Miles Ngo — aka MQN.Collection, the “Soccer Oracle” — for a deep dive into the beautiful game’s place in the hobby. From Messi magic to Haaland hype, they break down why soccer cards are heating up, how the market stacks up against other sports, and what collectors should watch as the 2026 World Cup approaches. Along the way, they draw some surprising parallels to another passionate niche — wrestling cards.

We cover:

⚽ Soccer market boom – World Cup cycles, Messi vs. Ronaldo, Mbappé vs. Haaland

🤼 Wrestling parallels – print runs, licensing shifts, and fandom crossover

🃏 TCG connection – how Pokémon & Magic fuel hobby entry points

📈 Investment timing – when to buy, when to wait, and how to avoid FOMO

💡 Insider tips – navigating Bundesliga, Champions League Chrome, and World Cup Prism.

Fresh off the biggest National Sports Collectors Convention ever, Justin Wickizer (reporting from Austin) and Neil Rock (holding it down in Denver) return to In Cards We Trust for a jam-packed, no-holds-barred episode.

From wild wax rips and Jordan buybacks to the state of trade night, the repack bubble, and Panini’s checklist chaos—this one has it all. Justin shares stories straight from the show floor, including brokering the record-setting Messi 1/1 Green Kaboom and the sale of Caitlin Clark’s Gold Vinyl 1/1. Neil lays out his dream first-time National to-do list, and the duo debate a Logo Woman debate you didn’t see coming.

👟 PSA, ALT, and Fanatics FanFest vs. The National.

📦 Repacking: Bubble or Innovation?

💰 Grail Cards: Kobe/Jordan Dual Logoman, Ichiro Superfractor & more.

🖊️ Forgery scandals, patch swaps & grading trust.

In this deep-cut edition of In Cards We Trust, Neil and Justin peel back the layers of the hobby—exploring what’s real, what’s hyped, and what might be crumbling under the weight of a perfect PSA 10 slab. From golden tickets to greening Kobes, this one is a collector’s reality check.

💥 2025 Contenders Football – is the legacy fading?

🧪 The grading illusion – when slabs outshine the card

🌱 The greening of Kobe Chrome – value vs decay

🎟️ Golden Ticket nostalgia – Brady, Manning, Wilson

🐐 Anthony Edwards vs MJ – modern flip or future grail?

🖊️ Patch distrust and Panini’s big move

📬 Jerry West’s autograph story – a hilarious collector tale

💎 Papadasha parallels – rare gem or hobby gimmick?

Episode 10: “Sticker Shock: The Messi Auto Scandal & State of the Hobby”.

This week on In Cards We Trust, Justin Wickizer and Neil Rock dive into one of the most controversial hobby stories—and pull no punches.

🔍 Fanatics & the Messi Autograph Meltdown

Hear the full breakdown of the Lionel Messi Topps Dynasty scandal and PSA’s role in exposing fake signatures.

💸 The Hidden Costs of Chasing Grails

From brokers to breakers to flippers, we unpack how the middle market is holding collectors hostage.

🎒 Slabs, Mergers & Market Shifts

PSA buys SGC—what does it mean for grading speed, value, and collectors left in the lurch?

📈 What’s Next for Collectors?

We talk repacks, digital ripping, and the overlooked risks in a rapidly evolving ecosystem.

👥 Why We Still Love It

Despite all the market madness, the people keep us here—and we’ve got stories to prove it.

In this episode of In Cards We Trust, hosts Justin Wickizer and Neil Rock take you through the Alt.xyz Weekly Auction. No detours, no distractions—just pure Weekly action.

From grails to sneaky sleepers, they dissect what makes a card pop and why some slabs don’t tell the whole story.

🃏 The LeBron Tribute Crusade — Caitlin Clark’s Gold Vinyl 1/1 takes center stage as Justin pushes for its “LeBron Tribute” pedigree.

🏀 Mantle Face-Off: SGC vs PSA — Same ‘52 Mantle grade, vastly different eye appeal. They debate why SGC’s copy feels elite while PSA’s feels… generous.

⚾ Too Sharp Corners & Bleached Hats — They call out vintage “enhancements” that might boost a photo but hurt authenticity.

🥇 Kobe, Mahomes & Modern Grails — From pristine patches to sticker autos, they dive into why the details still drive demand.

🎨 Eye Appeal Over Plastic — A collector’s eye still beats a plastic slab when it comes to true card value.

If you want sharp hobby insights, a few laughs, and straight talk on what’s worth chasing—this is your Weekly watch.

In this episode of In Cards We Trust, hosts Justin Wickizer and Neil Rock take you inside the May 2025 Fanatics Premier Auction, where it’s officially grail season. From legendary LeBrons to exquisite Jordans, they discuss the most coveted cards up for bid — blending sharp market insights with their signature banter.

Key auction highlights include:

🏀 LeBron James Exquisite RPA BGS 8.5 — patch quality, auto grades, and upward market momentum.

🐐 Michael Jordan 1998 Game Jersey Patch Auto PSA 10 — bubbling auto drama & the battle of card vs. autograph grade.

👑 Jokic, LeBron & Wemby Triple Logoman — is this mismatched trio a hobby grail?

⚾ Ken Griffey Jr. Platinum Medallion Masterpiece 1/1 — why it’s shaping up to be the card of the auction.

🏒 Gordie Howe & Maurice Richard vintage standouts — high eye appeal, but are those corners too sharp?

🏆 Kobe, T-Mac, Vince Carter Logo Men — Ultimate Collection classics commanding attention.

🚨 “Too Sharp” Corner Controversies & Fixed-Price Flips — hobby shenanigans collectors need to watch out for.

🏀 In this special edition of In Cards We Trust, hosts Justin Wickizer and Neil Rock kick off a deep-dive series into one of the hobby’s most legendary chases: the NBA Logoman. With Flawless Basketball in full swing, there’s no better time to explore the legacy, rarity, and mystique behind Logoman cards.

📚 In Part 1 of Cards Unknown: The Logoman, the duo covers:

This is Part 1 of a multi-part deep dive into Logoman history—from the Stadium Club era to the Flawless gold rush. Whether you’re a collector, investor, or just a hobby history nerd, this episode is essential listening.

Flawless or Flawed? Inside the 2024 Flawless Basketball Craziness.

Hosts Justin Wickizer and Neil Rock dive deep into the New Flawless Basketball release—one of the most talked-about products

From Triple Logoman madness to Dutch auction prices, Justin and Neil break down:

📦 The difference between First Off The Line (FOTL) and retail Flawless

🔥 Massive hits including the LeBron/Steph/Wemby Triple Logoman

💰 Secondary market pricing, sticker shock

🏀 NT vs Flawless: Which RPA truly reigns supreme?

📉 Why Flawless is “feast or famine” — and how it reflects the state of the hobby

🪙 Patch quality, game-worn vs player-worn, and the stunning Star Swatch autos

🧠 Should collectors wait or strike early? Justin and Neil debate Flawless strategy

💬 Plus: CT scanning, sealed vs graded cards, and why “two rubbers don’t feel right”

Whether you’re holding sealed wax or chasing one-of-ones, this episode unpacks the highs, lows, and future of Flawless Basketball.

In this episode of In Cards We Trust, hosts Justin Wickizer and Neil Rock break down the recently concluded April 2025 sports card auctions from Fanatics Premier and Goldin Elite. They discuss the $162,000 record-breaking sale of the 2006-07 EX Essential Credentials Michael Jordan, the resilience of Kobe Bryant cards, and the importance of understanding provenance with LeBron James Exquisite RPAs.

The hosts also dive deep into grading company trust—debating PSA vs. Beckett vs. SGC—and how it impacts high-end card values. Plus, they reveal their all-time favorite cards, from Hank Aaron rookies to Patrick Mahomes RPAs.

📌 Key Topics Covered:

📈 2006-07 EX Essential Credentials Michael Jordan record sale

🏀 LeBron James 2003-04 Exquisite Collection RPA breakdown

✅ PSA vs. Beckett vs. SGC grading trust in 2025

🏆 Tom Brady rookie card buying opportunities

🔥 Favorite grail cards: Hank Aaron, Walter Payton, Patrick Mahomes

💬 Sports card market health and auction trends

Episode 4: Cards Unknown - Game-Used Glory: 2003-04 Fleer Patchworks and the Rise of the Jersey Card

In this quick-hit 13-minute episode of In Cards We Trust, hosts Justin Wickizer and Neil Rock turn back the clock to spotlight the 2003-04 Fleer Basketball Patchworks set—a product that helped define the modern era of game-used jersey cards.

From early LeBron James memorabilia to forgotten patch gems, this episode unpacks what made this set special for collectors and how it helped shape the trajectory of basketball card innovation. The hosts reflect on the design, print run mysteries, and the emotional punch that game-used swatches continue to pack in today’s market.

Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just discovering the world of vintage memorabilia, this bite-sized episode hits all the hobby high notes.

📌 Highlights Include:

Episode 3: Cards UnKnown - Deep Cuts: 1972 ComSpec, Icy Bear, and the Stories Cards Tell

In this 29-minute episode of In Cards We Trust, hosts Justin Wickizer and Neil Rock explore two of the hobby’s most elusive and intriguing sets: the 1972 ComSpec basketball cards and the delightfully oddball Icy Bear Slurpee cards. They dig into the design, production quirks, and market dynamics behind these rare finds—while unpacking the emotional pull and nostalgia tied to vintage collecting.

You’ll hear stories of discovery, debates over licensing and authenticity, and reflections on how the card market has evolved in 2025. Whether you’re deep into trading cards, a fan of basketball memorabilia, or just love the thrill of a cardboard mystery, this episode offers both fun and valuable insight.

📌 Highlights Include:

• ComSpec: The underground legend of the 1972 basketball card world

• Icy Bear cards and their roots in 1970s Slurpee promotions

• Why licensing matters in card collecting and value

• Real talk on authenticity, provenance, and market hype

• The growing importance of community research in solving hobby mysteries

Episode 2: Auction Heat – Jordan, Ja, and the Prizm Debate

In this jam-packed episode of In Cards We Trust, Neil Rock and Justin Wickizer dive into the April 2025 Fanatics Premier and Goldin Elite auctions. From Michael Jordan game-worn autographs to Ja Morant’s Gold Prizm and Patrick Mahomes RPAs, they break down the stories behind the slabs—and the hype.

Expect strong hobby opinions, historical insights, and big laughs as they debate:

They also spotlight hobby sleepers, analyze trends across baseball, basketball, football, F1, and tennis, and reveal their favorite “this or that” picks from this week’s biggest auctions.

In this debut episode of In Cards We Trust, Neil Rock and Justin Wickizer dive deep into the trading card hobby—from market mechanics to collecting strategy. They break down what's moving in the space, including:

🔍 A live review of Alt and Fanatics auctions, including standout cards like a Jackie Robinson cut auto, a Barry Bonds rookie, and an MJ-Rodman dual

📈 The latest on LeBron James Exquisite RPAs and what patch quality means for value

💬 A real collector’s take on eye appeal, grading strategies, and why some cards are worth consolidating into

🧠 Insights on Hall of Fame speculation (Barry Bonds, Pete Rose) and how it shapes modern card prices

🔥 A passionate deep dive into cut autos, “ghost” cards, unopened wax, and how nostalgia meets market value

Whether you're holding, flipping, or just obsessed with sports card history—this episode sets the tone for a podcast made by collectors, for collectors.

👉 Follow us for weekly card talk, live market reviews, and deep hobby insights.