The Great Grading Debate and the Future of Sports Card Collecting with Tyler Nethercott

The sports card hobby continues to evolve at a rapid pace. From the explosion of grading companies to the return of Topps Chrome Football and the growing popularity of aftermarket autographs, collectors today have more choices and opinions than ever before.

On a recent episode of the Powers Sports Memorabilia Show, Matt Powers sat down with Tyler Nethercott from Sports Card Investor and Market Movers to discuss some of the biggest topics shaping the hobby today. Their conversation covered everything from autograph signings and grading controversies to collector nostalgia and how new collectors can get started in the hobby.

Aftermarket Autographs: Love Them or Hate Them?

One of the first topics discussed was aftermarket autographs. At Powers Sports Memorabilia, collectors regularly send in their favorite cards and memorabilia to be signed at upcoming athlete signings. These are commonly referred to as aftermarket autographs because the signature was not originally inserted into the product by the card manufacturer.

Tyler explained that his opinion on aftermarket autographs depends heavily on the type of card involved.

For modern prospect cards like Bowman Chrome autographs, he admitted they can create confusion in the marketplace because aftermarket signed cards are often listed similarly to official pack-pulled autograph versions. This can lead to pricing inconsistencies and inaccurate sales data.

However, Tyler expressed a much stronger appreciation for vintage signed cards and unique customizations. Vintage cards signed in person create a personal connection that many collectors value deeply. He also highlighted how collectors enjoy customizing signatures with unique pen colors and inscriptions, something impossible with traditional pack-pulled autographs.

Collectors today increasingly want one-of-one experiences. A Barry Sanders Kaboom signed in blue ink or a vintage baseball card signed in person carries a different type of meaning than a standard autograph card pulled from a pack.

Why Grading Has Become So Controversial

One of the most passionate parts of the discussion centered around sports card grading.

Matt referenced Tyler’s viral video involving a Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card that received drastically different grades from multiple grading companies. The same exact card reportedly received grades ranging from PSA 6 all the way up to a BGS 9.5, while some companies even labeled the card as trimmed or oversized.

The experiment reinforced a growing belief among collectors that grading is far more subjective than many hobby participants want to admit.

Tyler emphasized that he is not anti-grading. Authentication remains extremely important, especially for vintage cards. However, he believes collectors place far too much emphasis on the numerical grade itself.

He pointed out how tiny differences in centering or corners can create enormous price gaps between otherwise identical cards. A PSA 10 can sell for several times more than a PSA 9, while a BGS Black Label can command massive premiums despite the differences often being nearly invisible to the naked eye.

The conversation also explored why PSA continues to dominate the grading market despite frustrations over turnaround times and inconsistencies. Tyler explained that PSA has essentially become its own hobby currency due to market trust, liquidity, and resale history.

At the same time, companies like CGC and TAG are slowly carving out niches by focusing on faster turnaround times, transparency, modern technology, and customer service.

The Return of Topps Chrome Football

Another major topic was the highly anticipated return of Topps Chrome Football.

While collectors have debated the product’s high price point, both Matt and Tyler focused more on the design and collector appeal of the release.

Tyler praised Topps for significantly improving its designs in recent years, especially when it comes to inserts. He highlighted inserts like Tecmo Bowl, Alter Egos, and Ultraviolet All Stars as examples of how modern products are tapping into nostalgia while still feeling fresh.

For collectors who grew up in the 1980s and 1990s, products inspired by classic video games and childhood memories resonate strongly. Matt noted that many collectors who grew up during that era now have disposable income and are reconnecting with the athletes and products they loved as kids.

This nostalgia-driven collecting trend helps explain why players like Mark McGwire, Jose Canseco, and Bo Jackson continue to maintain strong collector interest decades later.

Advice for New Collectors and Parents

One of the most valuable parts of the conversation focused on how parents can introduce their kids to collecting without overspending.

Tyler recommended starting simple:

• Buy affordable blaster boxes or value boxes
• Focus on favorite players or teams
• Organize cards into binders and sets
• Visit local card shops and card shows
• Dig through value bins
• Learn negotiation skills at shows

He emphasized that the hobby should first and foremost be fun for kids. Building sets, sorting cards, and hunting for favorite players creates memorable experiences that matter more than chasing expensive hits.

Matt also discussed how attending local card shows provides a valuable hands-on experience for young collectors, especially when they can interact with dealers and see the community side of the hobby firsthand.

The Future of Collecting: CardScore

Toward the end of the interview, Tyler shared an exciting concept he has been developing called CardScore.

The idea behind CardScore is to help collectors evaluate cards based on qualities beyond just price or grade. Instead of focusing only on PSA 10s and population reports, collectors could evaluate cards based on:

• Design
• Photography
• Rarity
• Player popularity
• Set appeal
• Collector sentiment
• Overall visual appeal

The long-term goal is to create a crowdsourced system that helps collectors discover truly great cards, regardless of condition or market hype.

It is an idea that could shift hobby conversations back toward appreciation of the cards themselves rather than simply viewing them as financial assets.

Final Thoughts

The sports card hobby continues to grow, but conversations like this remind collectors why they fell in love with collecting in the first place.

Whether it is getting a favorite card signed, debating grading standards, chasing nostalgic inserts, or introducing kids to their first card show, the hobby is ultimately about passion, memories, and community.

At Powers Sports Memorabilia, we love being part of that experience by helping collectors connect with athletes and create one-of-a-kind signed memorabilia pieces that mean something personal.