Ben Burrows

Rookie cards used to be the cards to own. But in a hobby filled with autographs, game-used memorabilia and short-printed parallels, the hierarchy isn't so clear anymore. My latest for @TheAthletic on ultra-modern chase cards (free to read): nytimes.com/athletic/74256…

ICYMI: TAG has released a Backlog Tracker to show company progress toward reopening services. Limited reopening is estimated by the end of August and a full reopening by the end of September. TAG graded 54k cards in June, which was up 4% MoM and 45% YoY, per @gemrate.

Tuesday's update to PSA's Backlog Tracker shows a current total of 11 million cards. PSA reports July is projected to outpace June's record grading volume. Update also reports "grading accuracy and card safety remain at a 99.4% operational success rate."

Including the private deal just brokered by @Collect, there have now been five known card sales for Shohei Ohtani of $1 million or more. Updated list, according to @CardLadder's records: 1. 2018 Bowman Chrome Superfractor 1/1 BGS 9.5: $3.365M 2. 2025 Topps Chrome Gold Logoman Autograph 1/1: $3M 3. 2018 Topps Chrome Superfractor 1/1 BGS 9.5: $2.56M 4. 2025 Topps Chrome Ohtani/Judge Dual Gold Logoman Autograph 1/1: $2.16M 5. 2024 Topps 50/50 Dynasty Black Logoman Autograph 1/1 PSA 9/Auto 9: $1.1M

Shohei Ohtani rookie card sells for record $3.365 million (Free to read) nytimes.com/athletic/74444…

If you look closely at his eBay sales volume you can see when Jordan Walker won the Home Run Derby.

While you’re watching… Fans are catching balls signed by the player who hit them. nytimes.com/athletic/74430…

@JunkWaxHero79 @SCardClubhouse No footwear of any kind is insane and I hope Graig can be a voice of reason here

Socks inside. I actually talked about this on tomorrow’s episode of Surface Issues with Graig on @SCardClubhouse.

@JunkWaxHero79 What the hell do you wear around the house?

Amazing. For the record, I wouldn’t be caught dead wearing sandals, with or without socks. Flip-flops are even worse. Just not comfortable.

The TOP 25 Selling Players on eBay in June 2026 1) 🏀 Michael Jordan — $16.78m (+29%) 2) ⚾️ Shohei Ohtani — $16.76m (+8%) 3) 🏀 Victor Wembanyama — $13.98m (-17%) 4) 🏀 Kobe Bryant — $5.66m (+18%) 5) 🏀 LeBron James — $5.65m (+11%) 6) 🏀 Jalen Brunson — $5.32m (+296%) 7) 🏈 Tom Brady — $4.80m (+13%) 8) 🏀 Cooper Flagg — $4.74m (-14%) 9) ⚽️ Lionel Messi — $4.00m (+97%) 10) 🏀 Dylan Harper — $3.79m (+86%) 11) ⚽️ Lamine Yamal — $3.10m (+37%) 12) ⚾️ Ken Griffey Jr — $3.05m (+21%) 13) 🏀 Stephen Curry — $2.91m (-8%) 14) ⚾️ Mickey Mantle — $2.76m (-3%) 15) 🏈 Patrick Mahomes — $2.68m (+1%) 16) ⚾️ Aaron Judge — $1.94m (-40%) 17) ⚾️ Jacob Misiorowski — $1.80m (+140%) 18) 🏈 Jaxson Dart — $1.78m (-14%) 19) 🏈 Caleb Williams — $1.67m (+21%) 20) 🏀 Caitlin Clark — $1.35m (-10%) 21) ⚾️ Nolan Ryan — $1.24m (+3%) 22) 🏀 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — $1.22m (-46%) 23) 🏈 Josh Allen — $1.22m (+4%) 24) ⚾️ Nick Kurtz — $1.22m (+76%) 25) 🏈 Drake Maye — $1.19m (+14%) instagram.com/p/Datn95_FhWh

ICYMI: @HeritageAuction announced $1.41 billion in sales for the first half of 2026. Total is a mid-year record for the company and an increase of nearly 47% over the first half of 2025. Highlight of 2026 was the $3 million paid for a sealed copy of Super Mario Bros.

@35auburn These should be available at retailers yes but I believe these pre-orders will be the only ones without the wrapping

@BenMBurrows These are usually available at retailers, are these mega boxes also going to be available outside of Topps?

Pre-orders for mega boxes of 25-26 Topps Chrome Update Basketball are still available from Topps five hours after dropping. The $84.99 price tag is high but likely not a dealbreaker. The no-seal policy could be deterring scalpers or there could be more allocation available.

ICYMI: Topps is taking one of its most aggressive stances against scalpers with today's pre-orders for mega boxes of 25-26 Topps Chrome Update Basketball. Orders from this drop will ship with the plastic seal fully removed. Read for free @TheAthletic: nytimes.com/athletic/74320…

The 2024 Panini Revolution Victor Wembanyama Green Kaboom 1/1 has sold for $1,443,133 via @altxyzofficial. Result is the highest for any Kaboom at public auction and the second-highest known Wembanyama sale. Card last sold for $516,000 earlier this year.

SGC has named Jesse Steinberg the company's new general manager to oversee day-to-day operations. Steinberg joined SGC in 2019 and has previously served as director of operations. Steinberg is the brother of former SGC president Peter Steinberg. SGC plans to "accelerate grading capacity, tech utilization, and customer experience while maintaining the iconic personal touch that defined SGC."

Michael Jordan extends exclusive partnership with Upper Deck nytimes.com/athletic/74301…

New data from @gemrate from the first half of 2026 shows grading volume is up big at PSA, CGC and BGS. PSA holds 73% of the overall market, including 79% of sports and 70% of TCG. Collectors brands (PSA, BGS, SGC) add up to 79% overall, including 88% of sports and 74% of TCG.

@WeltisGames @gemrate

@BenMBurrows @gemrate any way to slice this for only pokemon?

JUST IN: @gemrate reports grading activity reached a record-high in June with more than 3.5 million cards. Previous high was 3.1 million. Total is up 65% year-over-year behind single-month records for PSA, CGC, Beckett and TAG.