The Powers Sports Memorabilia Show

Send us Fan Mail Sports cards can get confusing fast. Hobby boxes, blasters, hangers, jumbo boxes, value boxes, and First Off the Line—what's the difference, and which one should you actually buy? In this episode of The Powers Sports Memorabilia Show , Matt and Caleb break down the different types of sports card boxes in simple terms. We talk about which boxes may guarantee autographs, where you can find exclusive parallels, whether you can actually pull a big card from a cheap blaster or hanger, and what FOTL really means. We also answer an important question for collectors: If there's one specific rookie card or autograph you want, should you spend your money ripping boxes or just buy the card? Whether you're brand new to sports cards or you've been collecting for years, this episode will help you better understand what you're actually buying before you rip your next box.

Send us Fan Mail Think you can just catch the next autograph signing? Sometimes you can—but sometimes the rules change, certain items are no longer allowed, or the opportunity disappears completely. In this episode of The Powers Sports Memorabilia Show , Matt talks about this after recently taking part in another Patrick Mahomes autograph signing. We discuss why collectors shouldn't assume an athlete will always keep signing, how restrictions on cards, jerseys, helmets and inscriptions can change from one signing to the next, and why exclusive autograph deals can suddenly limit access. We also look at athletes like Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan and others to show how quickly signing opportunities can change. This doesn't mean you should spend outside your budget. But if there's an athlete you really want, the item you want is currently allowed, and the price makes sense for you, sometimes you need to take advantage of the opportunity while it's there. Because there isn't always a next autograph signing. https://powerssportsmemorabilia.com/

Send us Fan Mail What is the best pen for getting a jersey signed? In this episode of The Powers Sports Memorabilia Show , Matt breaks down exactly which pens we use for autographed jerseys during professional signings. The biggest factor is knowing whether your jersey has a sewn-on number or a screen-printed number . We explain when to use a black Sharpie, when a silver Sharpie actually works great, and when a silver paint pen is the better choice. Matt also explains why you should never use a white paint pen on a fabric jersey number , plus what can happen when cheap jersey material causes an autograph to bleed. If you're sending a jersey to an autograph signing, this episode will help you choose the right pen without overcomplicating it. Keep it simple, match the pen to the material, and always test your pen before the athlete signs.

Send us Fan Mail Silver Sharpies seem like they should be perfect for autographs, but they are one of the most frustrating pens in the memorabilia world. In this episode of The Powers Sports Memorabilia Show, Matt explains why silver Sharpies usually aren't the best choice and what you should use instead. We go through sports cards, footballs, helmets, photos, bats, boxing gloves, hockey pucks, Funko Pops, and more. Some items can handle a silver Sharpie just fine, while others are much better suited for a silver paint pen. But there is one surprising item where a silver Sharpie may actually be the best pen you can use. Matt also explains why testing your pen before an autograph signing is so important and shares lessons learned from years of professional signings. If you're sending an item to an autograph signing, this episode could help you avoid choosing the wrong pen. https://powerssportsmemorabilia.com/

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever seen us post photos from an autograph signing and wondered how you completely missed it? There may be a good reason—you were never able to see it in the first place. In this episode of The Powers Sports Memorabilia Show , Matt explains why certain autograph signings have to stay private, why some athletes don't want their signing prices made public, and why autograph agents sometimes limit a signing to only a handful of trusted vendors. We also discuss VIP autograph signings, the importance of relationships in the autograph business, and why we occasionally can't post a signing on our website, social media, or even email. Plus, learn a few ways you can increase your chances of hearing about these harder-to-find autograph opportunities. https://powerssportsmemorabilia.com/

Send us Fan Mail One of the biggest concerns collectors have when getting a card signed is whether an authentication sticker on the back could hurt the card’s grade. In this episode of The Powers Sports Memorabilia Show , we break down what we’ve actually experienced when submitting autographed cards to PSA, including cards that have received PSA 10 card grades and 10 autograph grades with authentication stickers attached . We also discuss why you might want witnessed, first-person authentication on certain autographs, when you might skip the sticker for aesthetic reasons, and why you should never attempt to remove an authentication sticker once it has been applied . If you collect signed sports cards or plan on submitting autographed cards to PSA, this is an important topic to understand before your next signing. https://powerssportsmemorabilia.com/

Send us Fan Mail After years of working behind the scenes at private autograph signings, there are certain athletes and experiences you simply never forget. In this episode of The Powers Sports Memorabilia Show , I’m counting down my 10 favorite athletes I’ve ever worked with at autograph signings . Some made the list because of their personality, others because of unforgettable conversations, and a few because of moments that happened behind the scenes that collectors rarely get to see. And some of the names that made my Top 10 might surprise you. What really makes an athlete great to work with at a signing? Listen to the episode to hear the stories and find out who made the list. https://powerssportsmemorabilia.com/

Send us Fan Mail What pen should you use when getting a Funko Pop autographed? In this episode of The Powers Sports Memorabilia Show , Matt breaks down the best pens for signing Funko Pop windows, including DecoColor, POSCA, and Molotow paint pens , along with which colors and tip sizes work best. We’ll also explain why we generally avoid standard Sharpies on Funko Pops , how to protect the box when sending it to a signing, where authentication stickers should be placed, and why you should always test your pen before the autograph. If you're sending a Funko Pop to an autograph signing or adding one to your collection, these simple tips can help you get a bold, clean autograph that really pops. https://powerssportsmemorabilia.com/

Send us Fan Mail What is the best pen for getting a basketball autographed? In this episode of the Powers Sports Memorabilia Show, Matt breaks down the pens we use for NBA authentic basketballs, replica basketballs, NCAA basketballs, and white panel basketballs. We cover when to use a silver DecoColor paint pen , why the Pentel N50 is one of our favorite choices for black autographs, which pens we tend to avoid, and how the material of the basketball can affect your autograph over time. Plus, learn a few simple tips for protecting and shipping your signed basketball without damaging the autograph. https://powerssportsmemorabilia.com/

Send us Fan Mail What pen should you use when getting a football autographed? In this episode of the Powers Sports Memorabilia Show, Matt breaks down the best pens for authentic leather footballs and white-panel footballs, including why silver paint pens are the go-to choice for authentic footballs and why the Pentel N50 works so well on white panels. We also cover one pen you definitely want to avoid, the differences between broad and fine tips, and an important shipping tip that can help prevent an autograph from smudging or sticking to plastic. Whether you're getting one football signed or building a multi-signed piece, these simple tips can help your autographs look their best for years to come. https://powerssportsmemorabilia.com/

Send us Fan Mail Choosing the right pen can make a huge difference in how an autographed helmet turns out. In this episode, we break down our favorite pens for mini and full-size helmets , including Sharpie, Pentel N50, DecoColor, POSCA, and Molotow. We’ll discuss which pens work best for black, silver, gold, white, and specialty colors, plus how the size of the autograph, inscriptions, helmet design, and future autographs should affect your choice. If you’re getting a helmet signed, this episode will help you pick the right pen before the athlete ever puts ink to it. https://powerssportsmemorabilia.com/

Send us Fan Mail Barry Bonds is one of the greatest and most controversial players in baseball history, but his memorabilia market has been surprisingly quiet for years. That may finally be changing. With Bonds signing new Topps cards in 2025 and 2026—and some of those autographs selling for hundreds or even thousands of dollars—collectors seem to be paying attention again. We discuss why the Barry Bonds market may have been undervalued, how his lack of autograph signings created scarcity, the impact of his complicated legacy, and what could happen if he eventually enters the Hall of Fame or begins signing memorabilia again. Love him or hate him, Barry Bonds is still the home run king—and collectors are talking about him again. https://powerssportsmemorabilia.com/

Send us Fan Mail What is the best pen for getting a sports card autographed? It is one of the most common questions we get at Powers Sports Memorabilia, and the answer depends on the card, the autograph, and what you ultimately want to do with it. In this episode, Matt Powers breaks down the pens we actually use during athlete signings, including Sharpie, Posca, DecoColor, Molotow, and fine-tip Staedtler pens . We discuss why blue Sharpie is usually our first choice , especially when autograph quality and potential PSA autograph grading are important. We also explain when a paint pen might be the better choice if you want an autograph to really pop. You'll learn how we choose between blue, black, silver, gold, pink, white, green, and other colors, plus why the size of the pen tip becomes especially important when adding multiple inscriptions or working with cards that have very little signing space. We also cover one of the most important steps collectors sometimes overlook: prepping glossy cards like Panini Prizm and Topps Chrome before getting them signed. If you're sending cards to an upcoming signing or getting cards autographed in person, this episode will help you choose the right pen for the card and your collecting goals. https://powerssportsmemorabilia.com/

Send us Fan Mail Why do autograph signings sometimes get delayed or canceled after collectors have already sent in their items? Matt Powers breaks down what really happens behind the scenes, from canceled flights and injuries to career changes, scheduling problems, money disputes, and athletes simply changing their minds. Plus, learn why a postponed signing sometimes reaches the point where returning customers items is the best option. https://powerssportsmemorabilia.com/

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we're joined by Alex Studio to discuss his fascinating custom sports card business, and the creative process behind his viral content. Hear the incredible story of how he handed out 28 John Pork cards at a Royals game, and watched as fans jokingly credited the card for sparking the team's winning streak.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we are joined by soccer card expert, Rabona Cards, to discuss the beginner’s guide of soccer card collecting in 2026. We cover the World Cup’s impact on card values, top players to watch, transfer window opportunities, rookie cards, investing strategies, and the best soccer cards to buy for new collectors entering the hobby.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Powers Sports Memorabilia Show, Matt and Caleb break down the issue of fake autographs and how to spot them. Should you authenticate everything you buy? How are autographs forged? This guide covers the key things to watch for when purchasing authentic sports memorabilia.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Powers Sports Memorabilia Show, Matt and Caleb break down one of the biggest questions in the hobby: why does PSA dominate the card grading world—and can anyone actually compete with them?

Send us Fan Mail Join us as we break down two of the most iconic case hits in the sports card hobby: Kaboom and Downtown. Whether you're a seasoned collector or just getting into high‑end inserts, this guide uncovers the key differences, market trends, and long‑term potential of these hobby favorites. Learn what sets each case hit apart, how rarity and design impact value, and which one might be the better chase for your collection or investment strategy. This is the ultimate breakdown every sports card collector needs.

Send us Fan Mail Join us as Sports Card Investor's Tyler Nethercott sheds light on the controversial topic of aftermarket autographs in the sports card industry. Discover the facts, myths, and risks associated with aftermarket autographs and learn how to navigate this complex market with confidence. Don't miss this eye-opening discussion that every sports card collector and investor needs to hear! 1:07 – Aftermarket autographs 5:06 – Discussion about card grading 9:15 – Card grading details 11:23 – What it takes to match PSA 19:30 – Topps card design discussion 24:24 – Starting a sports card collection 28:23 – Autograph story 32:13 – What is Market Movers? 34:04 – Wrapping up