Sports Cards: Cardboard or Currency? | Zach Stanley - E49

Zach Stanley joins the podcast to share insights into the future of the sports card industry, its role as an alternative asset and Zach’s personal stories of treasured sports memorabilia. Zach explains the concept of card breaking, the financial rationale for buying specific teams and its impact on the sports card industry. He elaborates on the evolution of the industry, describing how it has been driven by entertainment and social components emphasizing the importance of creating engaging experiences for collectors. Zach also discusses how new technology and social platforms have reshaped the hobby, making it a unique intersection of memorabilia, fandom, and investment.

Key Takeaways:

• Zach explains the concept of card breaking, where participants buy “teams” in a sealed card product, and receive the cards of their chosen team that are revealed during a live-streamed unboxing. This has driven the sports card industry to new heights, creating a blend of entertainment and community involvement.

• The discussion delves into how sports cards are valued, focusing on supply, demand, rarity, and player popularity. Zach emphasizes that analyzing these factors is akin to evaluating stocks or other investments, where rarity and market demand play crucial roles.

• Zach highlights the transformation of the sports card industry facilitated by technological advancements, digital platforms, and innovative experiences. He predicts continued growth driven by enhanced fan engagement and the creation of unique collectible opportunities, such as memorabilia cards and experiential rewards.

Key Timestamps:

(00:00) - The Evolution of the Sports Card Industry

(04:36) - Card Breaks

(10:15) - Art and Collectibility

(14:04) - Investment Strategies in the Card Market

(17:14) - Analyzing Player Value in Card Investments

(21:42) - The Future of Card Collecting

(22:41) - Fanatics' Impact on the Hobby

(23:32) - Technological Advancements

(27:20) - Handling Inherited Card Collections

(33:03) - Personal Stories of Sports Memorabilia

Key Topics Discussed:

The Trusted Partner, Cobblestone Capital Advisors, Jesse Cramer, Gabe Chodak, Rochester New York, financial planning, investment management, trading cards, sports cards, sports memorabilia

Mentions:

Website: https://www.wethehobby.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-stanley-945a2723/

More of The Trusted Partner:

Website: https://cobblestonecap.com/the-trusted-partner-podcast/

Information presented in this podcast is not intended to be nor should be construed as individualized investment advice. All content is of a general nature and solely for educational, informational and illustrative purposes. Investments in securities are not insured, protected or guaranteed and may result in loss of income and/or principal. Opinions of unaffiliated third-parties may not represent those of Cobblestone Capital Advisors or its employees.