Boom, Bust, Repeat: Lessons from Sports Card Market Crashes

Sports Cards are Dope

This week, we’re diving deep into the wild history of sports card market crashes. From the neon-soaked chaos of the 90s to the NFT-fueled hype of 2021, we’re breaking down the lessons collectors must learn to stay ahead of the curve.

What We Cover:

• The 90s Boom & Bust:
  • Why the 90s sports card market was like Blockbuster Video—ubiquitous but doomed by overconfidence and overproduction.
  • How 81 billion cards flooded the market and led to chaos (and wood-chippers).
  • Takeaway: Too much of a good thing can sink a market faster than Titanic hit that iceberg.
• 2021 Q2 Correction:
  • The 2020 rise, sparked by COVID lockdowns and The Last Dance, was like GameStop stock—fun until it wasn’t.
  • Josh Luber’s insight: When FOMO flips the market, “hot cards” can suddenly cool off.
  • Key question: Was this a natural correction or a sign of deeper problems?
• How to Avoid Future Pitfalls:
  • Collecting is like The Legend of Zelda—play the long game with strategy and patience.
  • Practical tips:
    1. Buy what you love.
    2. Diversify like your fantasy football lineup.
    3. Avoid the trap of overproduction (Junk Wax 2.0 is real, y’all).
• Top 5 Survival Tips for Market Crashes:
  1. Know your endgame—profit or passion?
  2. Keep it diverse across players and eras.
  3. Don’t get caught in the FOMO frenzy.
  4. Use tools like Card Ladder to stay informed.
  5. Stay connected with the collecting community for support and advice.

Closing Thought:
“Are we destined to repeat the mistakes of the past, or can we learn from history? The best investments, in cards and life, are the ones rooted in belief and passion.”