25 Sports Card Hobby Hot Takes for 2025: A Breakdown PART 2
What’s up, chicken nuggets! Welcome to another magic carpet ride on the Sports Cards Are Dope podcast. I’m Dr. Tyler Tarver—emphasis on Doctor because it was expensive, time-consuming, and hey, if you got it…flaunt it?
In this episode, we dive into Part 2 of the Top 25 Hottest Takes for Collecting in 2025—ideas that could transform the hobby as we know it. From licensed NFTs making a comeback to Pokémon taking over card shows, 2025 might just be the most exciting year yet.
Hot Takes, Predictions, and Possibilities for 2025
Here’s a breakdown of the boldest ideas submitted by collectors on Mantle’s platform (onmman.com).
1. Sports NFTs Make a Comeback
Submitted by: @FigoJam
The Take: Topps NFTs moving to platforms like OpenSea will rejuvenate digital collectibles thanks to scarcity and blockchain resurgence.
Dr. T’s Take: NFTs fell out of favor after their initial hype, but with improvements in usability and clear pricing structures, they could thrive again. The key? Make it easier for collectors to trade and understand value—because nobody wants to lose money like Steph Curry on his Bored Ape.
2. Fanatics Will Keep Raising Prices
Submitted by: @JohnPitts1970
The Take: Fanatics will increase prices for popular sets like Topps Chrome and flood the market with non-sports cards to meet their 10x growth goal.
Dr. T’s Take: Price hikes could alienate some collectors, but as long as Fanatics balances innovation with quality, the hobby should expand. Think of it as Netflix: not every release is a hit, but the occasional Stranger Things makes it worth it.
3. Fanatics Fest Goes Comic-Con
Submitted by: @ArmyAt22
The Take: Fanatics Fest will evolve into a mini Comic-Con, featuring Disney and Marvel actors alongside sports legends.
Dr. T’s Take: Combining Marvel superheroes with sports icons? Yes, please. This crossover would bring massive attention to both fandoms, creating an ultimate collector’s paradise.
4. Pokémon Dominates Card Shows
Submitted by: @JayYou
The Take: Pokémon will outnumber sports cards at major shows by 2025.
Dr. T’s Take: It’s already happening. At a recent Houston show, Pokémon tables dominated. The crossover appeal is undeniable, and as younger collectors enter the market, Pokémon could become the main event.
5. Physical Cards with AR Features
Submitted by: @JunkWaxHero
The Take: Cards with augmented reality (AR) features will let collectors scan them to unlock 3D highlights, interviews, or exclusive content.
Dr. T’s Take: Imagine scanning a game-used patch card and watching highlights from that exact game. It’s like Pokémon Go meets sports cards—a no-brainer for engaging younger audiences.
6. The National Faces Competition
Submitted by: @FigoJam
The Take: West Coast Sports (formerly Burbank Card Show) will challenge the National’s dominance with fresh ideas, better vendors, and collector-friendly locations.
Dr. T’s Take: The National is great but traditional. Shows like Culture Collision, with live music and influencer events, are setting a new standard. Competition will push everyone to innovate, and that’s a win for collectors.
7. Pokémon Cassettes and CDs Become Collectibles
Submitted by: @NotToddZal
The Take: Vintage music media like cassettes and CDs will become the next big collectible trend.
Dr. T’s Take: Nostalgia drives the hobby, and Millennials are ready to rediscover their childhood favorites. Graded Now That’s What I Call Music CDs? It’s only a matter of time.
8. Players Launch Personal Collectibles and Stock Shares
Submitted by: @LanceDobbins
The Take: Athletes will bypass traditional card companies to launch their own collectibles and even sell stock tied to their future earnings.
Dr. T’s Take: Tyson Beck’s collaborations with players already blur this line. Personalized investments could make fans feel even closer to their favorite athletes, merging fantasy sports with Wall Street.
9. AI Will Revolutionize Grading
Submitted by: @CheckBuddha
The Take: AI programs will streamline grading, pricing, and counterfeit detection.
Dr. T’s Take: AI can make grading faster, more accurate, and more secure. Imagine scanning your card with an app and instantly verifying its grade and value. Game-changer.
10. More 1/1s = More Accessibility
Submitted by: @JohnPitts1970
The Take: Topps will add new parallels to create even more 1/1 cards.
Dr. T’s Take: Some say it dilutes rarity, but having multiple 1/1s makes high-end cards more accessible. True collectors will still chase the grails, but more variety means more fun for everyone.
The Big Picture for 2025
Collecting is evolving faster than ever, blending nostalgia with cutting-edge tech. Whether it’s NFTs, AR features, or Pokémon taking over, the hobby is growing in ways we couldn’t have predicted.
Your Turn to Chime In
What’s your hottest take for 2025?
Do you think NFTs will bounce back?
Would you attend a Fanatics x Marvel crossover event?
Are Pokémon collectors secretly cooler than us sports card folks?
Drop your thoughts in the comments or submit them at SportsCardsAreDope.com.
Stay Sweet, Stay Kind, Never Stop Collecting
Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Sports Cards Are Dope podcast. Until next time, keep collecting, keep dreaming, and remember—2025 is going to be epic. Peace out, chicken nuggets.
