A federal court dismissed a sweeping consumer antitrust class action against Fanatics and the pro leagues, finding plaintiffs lacked evidence of concrete injury. The ruling removes a significant legal overhang from Fanatics’ licensed trading-card business for now. On the product side, Upper Deck introduced Upper Deck Moments, a revamped, multi-licensor print-on-demand program that turns top plays, memories, and events into physical trading cards. The real-time cards will be available to collectors worldwide on UpperDeckEPack.com.

Auction headlines featured a modern one-of-one: Pete Crow-Armstrong’s MLB Debut Patch Autograph realized $1.098 million at Goldin, narrowly missing the record set by Paul Skenes. New releases were active, too, as 2026 Bowman Football hit the market; shops, breakers, and creators spent the day live-ripping hobby and jumbo, posting product reviews, and lining up early singles sales on Whatnot. Beyond cards, secondhand apparel platform ThredUp launched live selling on Whatnot and is exploring giving other livestream sellers access to its inventory, underscoring how the live-commerce infrastructure used by card sellers continues to attract larger retailers.

Operationally, CGC announced it is not accepting submissions originating from Russia or Belarus until further notice. Around the collecting community, vintage and ’90s inserts drew attention: a deep dive into 1969 Topps Team Posters (R414-57-E) highlighted how repeated folding and wall mounting have left high-grade examples tough to find, though lower-grade copies remain accessible. A collector also showcased a completed 50-card 1998 Bowman Chrome Rookie Reprint Refractors set—odd numbers in Series 1, evens in Series 2—with refractors falling at 1:36 packs, a reminder of early chrome-era reissue appeal.

Yesterday’s Wire published 85 stories across 16 editions from 8 sources.

Debut patches dominated the conversation at the high end. Last week’s sales saw a Cooper Flagg Rookie Debut Patch Auto fetch $8.04 million and Dylan Harper’s reach $2.88 million, underscoring how one-of-one debut and logo pieces are commanding outsized attention. Auction houses are leaning into that demand with new approaches to marketing these “grails,” and Topps confirmed the category’s momentum by announcing its first-ever NBA Rookie Debut Patch cards, each incorporating a game-worn debut patch authenticated by CGC.

On the business side, eBay was in the spotlight for two very different reasons. A former company whistleblower filed a new federal lawsuit alleging seller favoritism, inflated acquisition metrics, and retaliation. Separately, eBay opened its Promoted Stores Custom ads to all eligible sellers, with click‑per‑cost campaigns that can now direct buyers not only to Stores but also to Live, Sale, and Ambassador influencer pages—changes that could reshape how hobby businesses drive traffic. COMC set dates for its NBA Tip‑Off event, a six‑day promotion running October 20–25 that includes free seller promos and special eBay Live opportunities ahead of the new season.

Vintage and history offered substance for collectors who prize origin stories. A newly surfaced 24‑card 1934 World Wide Gum uncut sheet provides a clear look at how Canadian Goudeys were numbered and produced. Heritage is teeing up four Mickey Mantle cards for its October auction, including some of the highest‑graded examples to hit the block in years. On the release front, the new Upper Deck Tim Hortons NHL set returns for Canadian collectors with Macklin Celebrini among the headliners and prize elements built in. And in a welcome nod to early‑20th‑century baseball, a new custom project is underway to create a Federal League All‑Star Team card set.

Yesterday’s Wire published 94 stories across 16 editions from 8 sources.

A blue-chip vintage headlined the market: a Sandy Koufax rookie card graded PSA 9 sold for $604,736 in Memory Lane’s summer auction, which realized $7.5 million across all lots. Sports Collectors Digest reported the result as a record for the card. Cross-sport baseball also produced a notable modern-era price as a 1995 Michael Jordan Top Prospects autograph brought $625,250 at Heritage weeks after another copy sold for $525,000. Modern basketball drew heavy attention, too—Collectibles on SI’s weekly list had Cooper Flagg’s debut patch card as the top sale, while multiple shows and podcasts discussed reports of an $8 million Flagg transaction.

On the manufacturer front, Panini is reasserting itself in baseball. The company secured an MLB Players Association licensing deal to produce 2026 Donruss Baseball and also struck a Minor League Baseball agreement to issue prospect-driven sets—moves that expand Panini’s footprint alongside ongoing MLB offerings from other brands. Product guides continued to roll out, with checklists for 2026 Topps Cosmic Chrome Baseball and 2026 Bowman University Best Football circulating as the NHL hobby turned the page to 2026-27: collectors are targeting new Young Guns, and early-season talk included a review of Upper Deck’s MVP set with notes on key rookies and omissions.

Vintage research and unopened collecting delivered substance. PostWarCards traced the provenance of a rare 1962 Bazooka short-print box from a 2007 Mastro appearance to a later Robert Edward Auctions offering, while the latest Unopened Market Report highlighted fresh 1974 O-Pee-Chee baseball packs, a public rip of 1961 Topps, and eye-catching penny packs. Historical features revisited Clem Labine’s career through wire photos and Topps cards. On the marketplace side, eBay quietly ended Classified Ads outside Vehicles, creating a policy gap for some digital goods sellers who had relied on that format.

Yesterday’s Wire published 93 stories across 15 editions from 7 sources.

A Shohei Ohtani Gold Logoman redemption sold for $2.85 million, one of the largest card sales ever recorded. The result underscores continued demand for true modern grails even as other parts of the market recalibrate. On the legal front, the rights holders to Mickey Mantle have filed a lawsuit against Cardsmiths over a card modeled after the iconic 1952 Topps design, a case collectors will watch closely for its implications on homage designs and player IP.

TCG saw a notable outlier: the 30th Celebration RGB Rare Mew is averaging $3,968 per sale with a 12.4x velocity spike while the rest of the release corrects. In player-driven markets, Justin Verlander’s retirement is splitting his card landscape between issues that had already priced in a Hall of Fame premium and others that are still repricing, while Justin Jefferson’s Sunday scratch with an ankle injury has holders weighing near-term risk across his most exposed cards. Hockey collectors took note as San Jose named Macklin Celebrini the youngest captain in team history, a timely boost for his key issues and notable pairings.

Marketplace infrastructure moved as Amazon opened Seller Central tools to eBay, Shopify, TikTok, and Walmart, giving sellers new multichannel options and Amazon access to more off-platform data—developments that could matter for high-volume card consignors and shop owners navigating multiple storefronts.

Hobby history and honors were in the conversation. The Yankees retired CC Sabathia’s No. 52—the franchise’s 22nd retired number recognizing 24 individuals—with Sabathia becoming the first player anywhere to have No. 52 retired. Collectors noted how few Yankees cards clearly show back numerals, adding a chase wrinkle for number-focused PCs. Baseball also lost longtime executive Bill Giles at 92; the former Phillies president and chairman, and son of NL president Warren Giles, remained honorary National League president from 2001 until his passing.

Yesterday’s Wire published 74 stories across 13 editions from 6 sources.

Two ultra-high-end modern sales defined the day’s market talk. A reported $8.04 million price for Cooper Flagg’s NBA Debut Patch Autograph 1/1 set an NBA card record and immediately recalibrated conversations around rookie tiers. A separate one-of-one Dual Logoman Autograph pairing Kobe Bryant and LeBron James sold for more than $6.5 million, a new record for a card featuring the duo. Across the entertainment lane, a John Cena WrestleMania patch auto realized $329,400, while a Rhea Ripley WrestleMania patch auto also drew competitive bidding, underscoring continued demand for top wrestling chase cards.

Legal and data developments followed. The owners of Mickey Mantle’s trademark rights filed a lawsuit against a trading card manufacturer, a case that could affect how unlicensed likenesses are used on products. Population data highlighted shifting modern dynamics: Cooper Flagg’s PSA 10 gem rate has declined for two consecutive weeks, while the key 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan metric held steady, with Ohtani also in the mix of this week’s analysis. Broader pricing tiers are being reassessed after headline figures that included Flagg’s record and a $2.88 million Bryce Harper sale, while injuries are factoring into expectations for other rookies.

On the industry side, CGC expanded access by naming select For Your Entertainment (FYE) stores as official submission centers for card authentication and grading and announced a private signing with Doug Mahnke and David Baron. Cryptozoic unveiled plans for a 2026 CZX Jurassic Park premium release spanning the first three films with cast autographs. Sellers reported fresh listing delays in eBay’s Seller Hub, with one account surfacing a mystery item the user says they did not list. Vintage and international collectors saw notable research and finds: newly surfaced, clearer imagery of Bowman’s obscure “Roger the Rookie Dodger” comics shed light on a long-murky issue, and a scarce 1980 Calbee Large card #1 of Sadaharu Oh appeared for sale. The hobby also noted the passing of NBA legend Bob Pettit at 93; he averaged 26.6 points and 16.2 rebounds over 11 seasons.

Yesterday’s Wire published 75 stories across 15 editions from 7 sources.

Record-setting basketball headlines led the day. A dual Michael Jordan/Kobe Bryant card sold for about $12.9 million, the highest price ever paid for a basketball card. Separately, Cooper Flagg’s NBA Rookie Debut Patch card realized $8.04 million, one of the biggest modern basketball results and, per multiple reports, a new high-water mark for a Debut Patch Auto.

Grading and operations news also drew attention. Beckett closed its Base and Standard tiers on September 25, while CGC outlined a $17-per-card Bulk option with a 25-card minimum, a $500 declared-value cap, and a 150 working-day queue. Collectors compared turnaround times and entry points across PSA, CGC, SGC, and Beckett as they weighed where to send submissions. On the release front, Upper Deck’s 2026 Inspirations: The World of DC hit the hobby with cover art, creator autos, and case-hit inserts. Panini announced The Legend of Zelda: Master Collection trading cards as part of the franchise’s 40th anniversary. Pokémon’s 30th Celebration set (released September 16) continued to generate interest thanks to measured pull-rate data and the secret RGB Mew, including a confirmed $20,000 sale of one color variant.

Show season activity picked up with the Philly Show underway and shops and creators on site. A separate promotion invites collectors to spin for a 1966 Topps Mickey Mantle SGC 3 at Just Collect’s store on Saturday, September 26. Vintage research and prices stayed lively: collectors revisited Topps’ 1968 Test Plaks and 1976 SSPC, while recent auction results included a Brooks Robinson card variant at $72,000, a newly surfaced Lefty Grove at $58,800, and a photograph that brought $3 million. Around the community, set builders traded toward finishes on 1990s issues like 1998 Metal, team collectors checked off long-oddball needs, and one football auto project reached its 835th different Baltimore Raven.

Yesterday’s Wire published 107 stories across 15 editions from 7 sources.

Bo Jackson Battle Arena dominated product talk. Detailed rundowns explained how the game works and why “weapon type” and insert treatment set both gameplay and price ceilings before the player name does. A full retail presale breakdown for the 2026 Update Edition opens October 1, with format/price tiers and a headline Mahomes auto chase laid out. On the traditional side, new checklists landed across multiple lanes: 2026-27 Upper Deck Tim Hortons Hockey and 2026-27 Upper Deck Series 1 for NHL collectors, 2026 Topps Chrome Sapphire Formula 1 Racing (one auto per box), and 2025-26 Topps X Bob Ross The Joy of Basketball making its NBA debut. A preview of 2026 Topps Holiday Football confirmed the line is getting the Holiday treatment with themed variations and autos.

Sellers got two planning cues. COMC launched its Race to Black Friday consignment competition for October 1–15, rewarding Hot List cards submitted via Elite or Direct to eBay Live, with early intake also available at The Philly Show this weekend. Separately, USPS and FedEx published their 2026 holiday shipping deadlines for Christmas delivery, with UPS dates still to come—useful timelines as show season and Q4 ramp up.

Market notes were event-driven. Shohei Ohtani’s activation is repricing his cards in tiers—graded low-pop rookies and numbered autos first, with raw and high-pop slabs lagging. Arch Manning’s market showed no pre-game premium ahead of Texas–Tennessee, while a Cooper Flagg /5 autograph surfaced from 2025-26 Topps Definitive Basketball. A uniquely inscribed Josh Allen 1/1 became a talking point, and Randy Moss rookie cards were reported up sharply in recent weeks.

Collectors also dug into history. A research piece reunited multiple touchstones from Hank Thompson’s career—a 1955 card, statue, photo, and contract—spotlighting an often-overlooked integration-era star. Another study revisited 1940 Diamond Dust punchboard “consolation prize” cards—tiny ribbed-paper issues with numbered backs and noted short prints—offering a fresh look at prewar ephemera that still surfaces in vintage circles.

Yesterday’s Wire published 89 stories across 16 editions from 8 sources.

Topps tightened its grip on centerpiece talent and key releases. The company announced a multi-year exclusive with Neymar Jr. covering trading cards, stickers, and TCGs, a significant soccer get as Topps continues to build around global stars. On the football side, 2026 Topps Flagship Football is live in hobby, jumbo, and retail, including a Walmart blaster and a London Games store exclusive, while 2026 Bowman Football has its checklist and configuration published with a Sapphire companion set promising one autograph per box. For hockey, the 2026-27 O-Pee-Chee Platinum checklist preview highlighted another chromium run with on-card content and fresh inserts. Non-sport collectors also got a date: 2026 Topps Mars Attacks Christmas, a hobby release with celebrity autographs, arrives October 6.

High-end auctions put crossover icons back in view. A Michael Jordan baseball card led Heritage’s weekend sale, and Goldin’s Summer 100 produced four $1 million results, topped by cards of Shohei Ohtani and Jordan. The activity underscored persistent demand for marquee names across both traditional and crossover categories without needing a particular game moment to drive bidding.

Grading and consolidation stayed in the news. Collectors Holdings, parent of PSA, moved to compel arbitration and dismiss claims in an antitrust suit tied to its SGC and Beckett acquisitions, while a separate lawsuit challenged the price and process of the Beckett deal. In hobby media, grading consistency and the role of AI were hot topics after a puzzling PSA grade on a 1933 World Wide Gum Babe Ruth sparked debate about whether technology can tighten outcomes.

Around the community, collectors shared first pulls from this season’s NFL runs and continued deep dives into hobby history, from research on the 1929 Marble Bubble Gum (W553) issue to reflections on how Topps handled the designated hitter in its early years—reminders that new releases and vintage scholarship can thrive side by side.

Yesterday’s Wire published 98 stories across 16 editions from 8 sources.

A record-setting modern football sale opened the week, followed by immediate triage. A 1-of-1 Jaxson Dart rookie sold at Goldin for $500,200, a new high-water mark for the Giants quarterback’s cards, with the sale closing hours before his knee injury. Multiple market updates focused on what holders should do next and the broader Week 2 injury fallout that also hit Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams. Performance-driven moves showed up in the data: Kenneth Walker III’s cards were reported up 108% and trading at 4.6x normal volume, while Drake Maye’s market was down about 10%. Analysts also highlighted under-the-radar performers like Chris Olave drawing far less card activity than on-field production might suggest. In the auction rooms, Michael Jordan continued to headline, with his baseball and basketball cards topping a weekend’s biggest sales and a pair of BGS-graded 1985-86 Star Company Slam Dunk issues ranking among the top lots in a recent Robert Edward Auctions sale.

Vintage and hobby history also had the spotlight. Just Collect disclosed a notable buy that included two Babe Ruth 1929 R316 Kashin cards, along with 1947–66 Exhibits and 1960s team-issued sets featuring Hall of Famers. Sports Collectors Digest revisited why 1956 Topps Baseball endures with collectors. Fresh research clarified that four 1960/61 Wonder Bread hockey labels were a gateway to the real prize: a set of very rare photo premiums. Collectors also revisited scarce Topps oddballs—unissued 1967 silver-foil discs originally intended as pin-back buttons and the fold-out 1968 Topps Posters (24 players, roughly 9 3/4" x 18 1/8"). The hobby also noted the passing of Brian Wolfe at age 45; the former Blue Jays pitcher spent nine seasons in NPB after signing with the Fighters in 2010.

On the new-release front, checklists and product guides dropped for 2026 Topps Inception Football’s fully licensed NFL return, Topps Holiday Football, a UK-exclusive Topps London Games Flagship Football, Panini Prizm FIFA World Cup covering all 48 qualified teams, and Topps Vault Disney, which features on-card autographs, production-used memorabilia, and diamond-embedded cards. Pokemon’s 30th Celebration drew heavy attention, with some singles like Drifloon and Mew ex Futuristic Rare trading at 300x baseline volume.

Yesterday’s Wire published 91 stories across 16 editions from 8 sources.

Record-setting results headlined the weekend as classic Mickey Mantle and Michael Jordan cards established new marks in REA’s September auction. High-end momentum carried into weekly tallies too, with a Shohei Ohtani rookie taking the top sales spot. On the gridiron side, fresh Week 1 data sorted which NFL performances actually translated into card movement and which didn’t. Hockey held its own at the top end last month, with August’s most expensive eBay sales again led by Wayne Gretzky. On the prospecting front, the final regular-season Hot Sheet highlighted Dodgers lefty Jackson Ferris and Red Sox outfielder Allan Castro closing strong.

A busy release slate is on deck for puck collectors. Upper Deck ICE arrives September 23 featuring an anticipated 2025-26 rookie class that includes Berkly Catton’s peers like Cole Eiserman? No—per the source: Schaefer, Demidov, Misa, and Snuggerud—while a new SPx guide outlines hard-signed chases and brand nostalgia for 2026-27. Non-sports also saw action, with Rittenhouse’s House of the Dragon Series 2 delivering three hits per box. CGC announced private signings with Bob Sharen and Rob Liefeld and a special Batman Day multi-creator signing event, while seller platforms made news: Depop faces another proposed class action over alleged “drip pricing,” and eBay rolled out in-app affiliate link creation and Smart Share for its Ambassador program.

Grading and collecting activity remained lively. Collectors discussed a recent SGC submission price increase and reviewed real-world PSA submission results. In the oddball-variation lane, a newly graded 1989 Fleer Billy Ripken “Circle Scribble” without saw-cut reportedly changed hands for $60—flagged as a tough find by a seasoned chaser. Set builders celebrated long-haul completions, including a 2009 Topps Heritage run finally closed after tracking down the super short-printed Gary Sheffield base card. For hobby historians, fresh research examined Topps’ 1976 basketball and hockey “Free Goods” boxes, and a 1924 photograph resurfaced of Babe Ruth signing bats and balls for Citizens’ Military Training Camps—small but vivid reminders of the hobby’s deep roots.

Yesterday’s Wire published 93 stories across 17 editions from 8 sources.