Sports Cards are Dope

http://sportscardsaredope.com
I bought four memorabilia pieces (MJ, Bulls, Team USA, and an Ali glove) for $650—knowing there’s an ~80% chance they’re fake. Here’s why I did it anyway, how I value uncertified items, and five red flags to spot forged autographs (even when a slab says “authentic”).

Timestamps
0:00 Welcome, context: why I bought likely-fake memorabilia
0:53 The haul: Ali glove; Bulls 3-Peat hat; Team USA practice jersey; MJ White Sox mesh
2:35 Seller backstory + pricing logic vs certified comps
4:45 Why certification isn’t bulletproof (PSA/JSA examples, human judgment)
7:40 My two reasons for buying anyway (aesthetics + vintage value)
9:45 Community poll results on “does it look legit?”
11:40 5 Red Flags: no COA; weak backstory; too much inventory; identical pen pressure; ignoring signature evolution
15:30 Two case studies: PSA-slabbed Kobe I don’t trust vs. a “bad” Brady auto I know is real
19:00 Final mindset: buy the story, not the sticker; price for the risk



What is Sports Cards are Dope?

Welcome to the Sports Cards Are Dope podcast, hosted by Dr. Tyler Tarver (@tarvercards), an aggressively average dude with an above-average obsession for those glorious, four-cornered lil treasures we call sports cards!

This isn’t just a podcast; it’s a celebration of sports, pop culture, and the universal joy of pulling a card so dope you immediately start calculating how many shares of Apple you can buy with it. Whether you’re a seasoned pro, a curious rookie, or someone who just wants to hear how Michael Jordan, Marvel movies, and Saved by the Bell all connect through cardboard, you’ve found your proverbial home.

Here, we keep it (mostly) positive as we dive into the wild world of collecting: rookie chases, market trends, and how these little slices of nostalgia tie into fandom, investing, and, yes, incredible relationships! Also, expect plenty of stories, pop culture tangents, and more than a few questionable analogies.

So grab your penny sleeves, settle in, and let’s talk sports cards more than your spouse would ever allow! SPORTS. CARDS. ARE. DOPE. (and so are you 🎧✨)!

Now quit reading, hit follow, and let’s dance you beautiful chicken nugget.