Sports Cards & A Cup of Joe

Episode 109 Cartoon Rookie Cards - Flintstones, Scooby Doo and Looney Tunes

What if the biggest “rookie cards” in collecting aren’t athletes at all? In this episode of SportsCards & A Cup of Joe, Joe Davis takes listeners into a world most collectors never realize exists- vintage non-sports cards featuring legendary cartoon and entertainment characters. Inspired by a record-setting sale of a rare Luke Skywalker card, Joe explores the hidden market behind early appearances of icons like Fred Flintstone, Scooby-Doo, and Bugs Bunny. From obscure international releases and ultra-low population reports to the thrill of uncovering forgotten cardboard treasures decades later, this episode blends nostalgia, collecting strategy, and a fresh way to think about long-term demand. Whether you collect sports, vintage, or simply grew up with Saturday morning cartoons, you may never look at “rookie cards” the same way again. And this is only Part 1.

Episode 108 Got PreGrading FAQs

This episode peels back the curtain on one of the hobby’s most talked-about new ideas. Joe Davis and Taylor Pruitt return to answer the flood of collector questions surrounding Got Pregrade - what it is, who it’s for, and why now may be the perfect time for a service like this. From turnaround times and condition transparency to vintage cards, modern pulls, show prep, and the future of buying and selling raw cards, this conversation tackles the questions collectors are already asking. Plus, Joe shares where this fits alongside traditional grading and why this isn’t about replacing the hobby… it’s about helping collectors make smarter decisions. And don’t miss the teaser at the end for an upcoming episode collectors have been requesting for over a year.

Episode 107 Joe's BIG Announcement

Big news is shaking up the grading world and this episode of Sports Cards & A Cup of Joe has a new alternative. Joe Davis shares the personal story that sparked decades of passion for authentication and collector protection, reveals the challenges facing the grading industry today, and announces a brand-new service designed to help collectors move faster, make smarter decisions, and know exactly what they’ve got before sending cards off. From a memorable vintage Hank Aaron lesson to behind-the-scenes insight on how thousands of cards are evaluated, this episode dives into affordability, transparency, and turnaround times in a way collectors won’t want to miss. If you grade, buy, sell, or simply love cards, this conversation could change how you approach your collection. Know what you’ve got. Hear why now is the time.

Episode 106 PSA Shutdown Strategies

PSA just hit pause… now what? In this episode of Sports Cards & A Cup of Joe, Joe takes you inside one of the wildest weeks the hobby has seen- massive submission volume, industry-wide ripple effects, and the scramble to adapt after PSA’s lower-tier shutdown. From behind-the-scenes stories of getting submissions in under the wire to practical grading strategies for the months ahead, Joe breaks down what collectors, investors, and submitters should actually do next. Should you wait? Pivot to BGS, CGC, or SGC? Start stockpiling inventory? There may be more opportunity in this moment than most people realize. Plus: a teaser for a major announcement coming next episode that could change how collectors navigate grading moving forward. If you collect, grade, flip, or simply want to stay ahead of where the hobby is heading—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Episode 105 PSA Grading Suspension

PSA just dropped a bombshell on the hobby...and the entire sports card industry may feel the impact for months to come. In this episode of Sports Cards & A Cup of Joe, Joe Davis breaks down PSA’s shocking decision to suspend all lower-level grading services as their backlog approaches a staggering 10 million cards. What does this mean for collectors, investors, flippers, and the future of grading? Joe dives into the ripple effects across the hobby, from rising demand for existing slabs to the potential impact on wax ripping, Pokémon and TCG submissions, and competing grading companies like SGC, BGS, and CGC. Plus, hear insider perspective from the front lines as submission teams scramble to beat the cutoff deadline. Is this a disaster for collectors… or a hidden opportunity? Whether you’re sitting on a stack of raw cards, waiting on PSA orders, or wondering what happens next for the hobby, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.