Lombardi Lenny Enters the Hobby
The Sports Cards Nonsense podcast discusses the Fanatics Emanate product controversy where shipping manifests revealed specific cards, analyzes NFL opening week quarterback performances, and features an interview with NFL star Leonard Fournette discussing his entry into the sports card hobby and plans to open a card shop at LSU.
Summary
The episode opens with discussion of a Fanatics controversy involving a Mojo Breaks case of Emanate 8x10 photos that included a shipping manifest listing five specific items, four of which were found in the product. The hosts analyze whether this constitutes rigged products, noting that while concerning, the product is memorabilia rather than cards and ships from a different facility than card products. They emphasize the need for transparency from Fanatics about their distribution process.
The second major segment covers NFL opening weekend analysis, where the hosts acknowledge making poor quarterback predictions. They highlight Caleb Williams' impressive debut (four total touchdowns), criticized their own takes on Cam Ward and Jackson Dart, and discussed Trevor Lawrence's record-breaking performance. They praise several running back performances including Derrick Henry's historic rushing touchdown milestone and discuss how modern rookie cards are often valued higher than established hall-of-famers based on hype rather than performance.
The centerpiece of the episode is an extended interview with Leonard Fournette, Super Bowl-winning running back who has recently entered the sports card hobby. Fournette shares that his card collecting began with Pokemon cards, specifically favoring Mewtwo, and evolved into collecting his own rookie cards and other players' cards from his draft class. He discusses his daily card ripping habit and significant collection including a PSA 10 Kobe rookie, a 1986 Jordan Fleer graded 9, and a 1955 Mickey Mantle graded 4. Fournette reveals plans to open a card shop on the LSU campus in approximately four months, with an innovative promotion offering $40,000 for a triple-signed card from himself, Joe Burrow, and Jamar Chase, with proceeds going to student tuition. He describes his media training as natural rather than rehearsed, his appreciation for The Office television series, and his connection to Bronx Tale through calf tattoos of Chaz Palminteri and Robert De Niro.
Additional topics include discussion of Mark Wahlberg's investment in Paradise Breaks' card shop, Cooper Flagg's Bangor, Maine card store opening (praised as authentic and community-focused), Wesley's perspective on athlete-driven shops, and analysis of PSA's new pricing tiers. The hosts mention upcoming guests including Mike from Trove (a repack company) and reference other hobby developments like Arena Club expansion into wine and coin blind boxes.
About this episode
Leonard Fournette joins Mike and Jesse in the studio in Nashville to discuss his love of the hobby, his Pokemon collection, and the location of his future card shop on LSU's campus. Plus, we hit the voicemails to get the latest from Larry and more! However, we have to lead with the situation surrounding Fanatics Emanate and why it is a bad look, but Mike and Jesse don't think it affects the card market. 0:00 - Intro and Fanatics Collect Shipping Manifest Left in package 3:55 - If this were a card product, it would be a huge scandal. Is it a good look? No, it’s quite terrible. 6:30 - Topps has made it clear that card products are randomized and distributed randomly, but the fact that a shipping manifest exists raises questions about the cards. 11:55 - Opening week in the NFL was rough for Mike’s takes 22:50 - Leonard Fournette Interview 57:05 - Takeaways from Leonard Fournette and favorite moments. 1:04:35 - Mark Wahlberg entering the card space with Paradise Breaks. 1:07:00 - Calling Wesley to discuss the Cooper Flagg shop opening. 1:12:25 - Larry is coming to Nashville to see the boys. 1:20:00 - Voicemails leading with Larry. 1:40:00 - Ripping Arena Club packs Follow Sports Cards Nonsense: https://www.tiktok.com/@sportscardsnonsense https://www.instagram.com/sports_cards_nonsense/ https://x.com/SCN_Pod https://www.facebook.com/groups/sportscardsnonsense https://collectibleslife.beehiiv.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Key Insights
- Fanatics included shipping manifests on non-card Emanate products listing specific items, with four out of five items found in the product, raising questions about whether card products receive similar treatment despite claims of randomization.
- The hosts argue the Emanate controversy is less damning because it involves memorabilia rather than cards and ships from a different Fanatics facility than card products do.
- Caleb Williams significantly outperformed Drake May in their first NFL starts, with Williams recording four total touchdowns in a road win while May struggled against Seattle.
- Leonard Fournette claims he had higher-value rookie cards than All-Pro Adrian Peterson during his rookie year despite Peterson's Hall of Fame credentials.
- Fournette stated his card collecting journey began two years ago after retirement when he started pursuing his own one-of-one cards and those from his 2017 draft class.
- Modern rookie cards are frequently valued higher than vintage Hall of Famer cards, with examples including Jackson Dart cards outselling Dan Marino and rookie cards outperforming established veterans.
- Leonard Fournette plans to open a card shop on the LSU campus with an innovative $40,000 promotion offering a triple-signed card from three LSU alumni running backs, with proceeds funding student tuition.
- Wesley praised Cooper Flagg's card shop in Bangor, Maine as the best collaboration between celebrities and the hobby because it's located in Flagg's hometown community rather than a major market, and Flagg personally worked the register for 4.5 hours on opening day.
- PSA announced a new $60 standard grading service and committed to reactivating paused value tiers at capacity, though specific details and timeline remain unclear.
- The hosts discuss that shipping costs occasionally justify higher seller asking prices, but only when explicitly mentioned as a legitimate reason rather than claiming high outlier sales define market value.
- Leonard Fournette stated he rips card packs daily and his wife frequently expresses concern about his spending on the hobby, indicating serious financial commitment to collecting.
- Multiple athletes entering the hobby through shop openings (Fournette, Flagg, and Wahlberg investments) demonstrates growing mainstream celebrity interest in sports cards, though authenticity and genuine interest vary by individual.
Topics
Transcript
Before we start, a quick word from our sponsor, eBay Live. If you've never checked it out, eBay Live is eBay's live shopping experience built for collectors. It's where you find rare, exclusive, and hard-to-find items. Through live auctions and special drops, you can only get there. What makes it different is the energy in the community. Real sellers, engaging hosts like SportsCardsNonsense, and streamers that make it fun and interactive. It's all backed by eBay's protection and authenticity guarantees, so you can shop with confidence. Just download the eBay app and hit the eBay live button under the search bar and jump in. Now back to your show. Having uncontrolled eosinophilic esophagitis or EOE can mean you're stuck in…
Full transcript available for MurmurCast members
Sign Up to AccessMore from Sports Cards Nonsense
Beware of Counterfeit Cards
A sports card podcast covering counterfeit card issues in the hobby, Beckett's website outage, SCN Challenge scoring disputes, Parcel2Go shipping complaints, UK crime epidemic, and discussions about backup quarterbacks and fantasy football. The hosts also interview Casey from Fanatics about Instant Packs digital ripping, promote upcoming episodes, and establish new voicemail/Rushmore caller protocols.
The ONE Rule to Collecting Football Cards
A sports card podcast episode featuring discussion of NFL injuries and market volatility, an interview with Steve Sloan (CEO of Haystack, a card recognition technology company), and numerous voicemail segments. The hosts emphasize unpredictability in football card markets and highlight Haystack's technology for cataloging and recognizing cards across platforms.
The Art of the Sale
The hosts discuss timing strategies for selling collectible cards, analyzing market conditions for various sports and non-sports products, and take numerous listener voicemails about collecting strategies, grading decisions, and market trends. They also address personal updates including Papa Geo's health improvement and upcoming visits from athletes like Justin Steele.
Which Young QBs Should You Buy?
A sports cards podcast discussion covering NFL quarterbacks' week one performances, PSA grading updates, vintage card markets, and voicemail segments. The hosts analyze market reactions to young QBs like Drake May, discuss PSA's new $60 standard grading tier and 39% production increase, and field listener questions about collecting strategies and grading company competition.