The WNBA Card Podcast: Collecting Rhyne Howard and the Atlanta Dream with Jarrod (@wnbacardcollector)

The episode features Caitlin from Cold Lunch Cards interviewing Jared (@wnbacardcollector), a seasoned collector with over three decades of experience starting with Garbage Pail Kids in 1987. After collecting baseball cards extensively—including vintage pieces and high-end rookie cards—Jared took a break before returning to the hobby in the 2000s, initially focusing on vintage baseball. In 2020, a fellow collector introduced him to WNBA cards through a Sue Bird Fleer Ultra rookie, which sparked his interest in women's basketball cards.

Jared explains that collecting women's sports cards serves as a personal litmus test for whether he wants to associate with someone. He believes that respect for women's sports reveals deeper values about respecting women in general, making it a critical measure of character. He has since liquidated most of his vintage baseball collection to focus entirely on WNBA cards.

Regarding his collecting philosophy, Jared emphasizes that he is not a completist or set collector; rather, he focuses on cards he genuinely wants to keep. He particularly loves Rittenhouse cards over modern Prism releases, citing their aesthetic quality, thick stock, and varied yearly designs. He notes that Rittenhouse cards represent scarcity due to low demand rather than manufactured scarcity through limited editions, making them feel more authentic. He was able to acquire key rookie cards and build a W25 registry set, ranking highly among collectors.

Jared's entry point to the Atlanta Dream came from attending a 2022 game featuring the Storm, where he was struck by the intensity of players like Rhyne Howard and Cheyenne Parker in person. Upon discovering that Howard was from his hometown, he became a dedicated Dream fan and Howard collector. He describes attending Dream games at their arena, noting the intimate venue creates a unique fan experience where every seat feels close to the court.

For his Mount Rushmore of Dream players, Jared selects Angel McCoughtry (the foundational star), Renée Montgomery (for her ownership stake and role in removing a previous problematic owner), Rhyne Howard (his primary focus), and Angel Reese (for her unique impact and potential). He values the Dream's history of standing up for what's right, particularly during the ownership change and social justice initiatives.

Regarding Rhyne Howard specifically, Jared admires her smooth, effortless playing style, strong defense, and humble personality. He notes her inconsistency—sometimes scoring zero in the first half then 22 in the fourth quarter—but finds this part of her appeal. He focuses primarily on her rookie cards, having acquired multiple versions including autos, black golds, and a highly sought-after gold vinyl non-auto (#101) that he obtained mostly through trade before Caitlin Clark's arrival increased WNBA card prices. His favorite recent pickup is a black gold parallel, which he believes is more visually appealing than standard gold versions.

Jared's advice for starting a Dream collection includes acquiring key rookie cards from Angel McCoughtry (2009), Alicia Gray (2017), Jordan Canada (2018), Rhyne Howard (2022), and Angel Reese, while emphasizing that collectors should choose cards based on personal aesthetic preference rather than just rarity or monetary value.

A unique element of Jared's collection is his focus on WNBA game tickets, particularly debut tickets and historically significant games. His personal grail is Rhyne Howard's WNBA debut ticket signed by her with 'WNBA debut' written on it, graded PSA 9 with a perfect 10 auto. He also owns the ticket from the very first WNBA game ever played, which took considerable effort to locate. Jared views tickets as more personal than cards because they represent actual moments in time and are increasingly rare as the industry transitions to digital ticketing.

Jared predicts the Dream will contend for a championship within the next two years, citing teams like the Lynx, Aces, and Valkyries as current obstacles. He recommends others become Dream fans because the team and players create a positive, fun atmosphere both on and off the court, with genuine friendships between teammates that translate into good basketball and good feelings for fans.