Welcome back, loyal listeners of the Stacking Slabs podcast to episode four of the WMBA card podcast.

I'm your host, Caitlin. I go by at cold lunch cards on the Instagram on the Instagram machine and everywhere else on the Internet, and I'm joined, by Brett at stacking slabs today.

Can you believe we're already on episode four, Brett? This has been such an incredible ride, and we wanna say thank you to all of our listeners for tuning in, for the support, for the kind words and feedback you've given us.

And we're fired to be back on the mic for episode four, bringing you collector driven, community focused WNBA card content each and every week.

Brett, how are you doing today? I'm great, and I love the intro. And, also, just the feedback, I received a piece of feedback this week that said, when these 12 episodes are done, you guys can't stop doing this.

And I was like, that's a good testament to, the the value that's being created or the demand for WNBA card, content.

So I'm really excited about that. And, also, it's just being a basketball junkie in Indiana. It I am just so overwhelmed right now because, like, I've got the Pacers in the playoffs, and you got fever media day going on.

You've got, like, national meeting media coming in to cover the fever, obviously, because of Caitlin Clark and all the changes.

So that's exciting. And then I'm looking, and I'm like, the preseason's like it's here. So it's this snuck up on me, but I am ode I'm ready to OD on basketball and basketball card content, and I'm glad we have this space to do it.

So, Caitlin, I'm excited. Me too, Brett. I I couldn't be more excited for the season. I feel like, like you said, it snuck up on me, but also I've been waiting.

So, here we are. It's finally upon us. I think when you guys are hearing this, we'll be in the first week of preseason for the WNBA, and hopefully Brett's Pacers are still competing.

I've got no dog in the or horse in the race over there. So, good luck to the Pacers, I suppose.

But, yeah, why don't we start today with our tip-off, our normally scheduled, first segment of the WNBA card podcast where we talk about all sorts of big headlines and hobby news as it relates to the league.

We've got a lot of things teed up here to talk about today.

So, Brett, why don't we get into it with one of the big topics which you kinda previewed by talking about Indiana, which is, you know, what do you think needs to to happen for interest to continue to grow and stay and maintain in the WNBA card podcast or in cards in general, outside of just Caitlin Clark?

What do you think needs to happen in order for us to keep sustaining this and, continue to see the boom that we've we've been seeing for, you know, I would argue the past couple years now?

You know, I I I'm I think last year was obviously setting of the stage and was a good, start to new eyeballs, new interest in on the sport. When you have a magnet like Caitlin Clark, that's great.

And I think it's, you know, super exciting. We have Paige Beckers coming in who will likely continue that momentum. When I think about growth in this era of just society, people want to follow people. People want to buy from people.

People are less inclined to buy from companies. People, watch leagues, but we gravitate towards humans. So I think that for me, it is and I think WNBA and the players within the WNBA do a fantastic job of marketing themselves.

We we've talked about Cameron Brink and her podcast. But I think the marketing of individual players, Asia Wilson Choo Choo deal is a helpful, thing. But as new eyeballs come in, people wanna grab onto a player.

And I think the more that players begin to continue to do what they do because I think they're so authentic and they share you know, we we can promote the individual players within the league, and those players can promote themselves and just be real because there's so many people that I have gravitated towards and players that I wouldn't have thought about, before, but just digging in.

That's what's got me interested in. And I think in the on the NBA side, so much about, fans and connection and fan engagement doesn't necessarily happen with the team, but it happens with the players.

So that would be kind of I think just key I I just want I want the players to keep doing their thing because I think they're doing a good job, and I think with social media, with content, that'll likely keep people around.

So that's kinda my thoughts. What do you think? I think I'll I'll echo what you were saying, and then we'll get into this more, later in this podcast.

But this idea of the league shifting to superstars, I think with the birth of NIL and it kind of leveling the playing field, so to say, between men's and women's basketball at the collegiate level, it's more empowering than for these pro players to really know their worth and be able to, you know, create their brand and expand their brand.

And I I saw a quote actually from Asia Wilson.

She was asked in training camp about the the Kelsey Plum move, who left her team and went somewhere else. And she said, you know, it's great. That's awesome. She's expanding. She's she's, opening a new chapter for her brand.

And I I thought that was really kind of hitting the nail on the head of what we're saying here of, you know, this is this is turning into a superstar player driven league, both because of the money and the eyes and the attention that are on on these players, and I think that's gonna translate over into cards as well.

And hopefully, that also creates some notoriety for the franchises too. Right? I mean, we've got in cards, player collectors, set collectors, but there's also team collectors.

And, I think that there's room for the WNBA and specifically cards to really, take advantage of all those different, collector profiles, so to say.

So, yeah, I don't think, the growing hype is stopping anytime soon. I don't think Caitlin Clark is, the beginning and the end. I think, you know, this is just another another chapter, and hopefully, we'll see more players.

I think Paige Beckers, like you said, is gonna be a big one who, is gonna open more doors for players that maybe we haven't even heard of yet.

So You you you said you said something that has me, thinking about my own personal, use case of this. And I think about, like, when what we we this isn't an NBA podcast. We're not gonna talk about it.

But, like, I think about the Pacers and, like, I'm a pace I'm a Pacers fan. Like, all the other players, sure, I have favorites, but it's all interchangeable. And I don't really care about other players on other teams in the NBA.

The WNBA is completely opposite for me where I I care a lot about the other individual players on other teams, and I follow those players because I'm I'm interested in them.

I'm interested in their stories. I'm interested in the new teams they're playing for. And I don't know why. And that influences my collecting too because in my other sports that I collect, I just collect my teams.

Right. But it in the w, I I wanna collect my favorite players outside of the fever or outside of Caitlin Clark. And I haven't really, like, given my self time to reflect on that, but it's just different.

And I don't know. For me, that just it makes me way more interested in the product when I care more about individuals outside of players playing in my own city.

Yeah. I I I agree. I tend to agree, but, you know, with a a caveat of I see myself becoming more and more of a links fan, as the time goes by.

And I suppose, hopefully, with other teams succeeding as the links have done in the past both, you know, very present or very, very near, recent years.

But hopefully with that continuing for other teams, you'll be able to cheer for the team as well, just as much as with your players.

And that kinda brings us into our next idea that we wanted to talk about, which was what the landscape is looking like right now in terms of who, you know, we're going into the preseason week one.

Who is expected to be the leader in the pack, in the league. And, you know, we we took a look at Vegas odds to see what, apparently, they think is gonna happen.

We've got a little summary. I'll I'll read off the odds that we have for, odds to win the championship this year. In first, we've got the Liberty at plus two thirty.

How excited are you about that, by the way? I'm not excited at all. I'm actually gonna skip over that and and get to it. But no. They they're the favorite, which makes sense. You know, they were they were the champion last year.

Like I said, in one of our previous podcasts, it's really hard to repeat. So, while I totally understand the idea that they were the best last year, I'm not too sure how confident I feel in Vegas' assessment here. Yeah.

I, it's tough to repeat, but I think if you're placing money, vague that's what Vegas is saying, and it's hard to deny them. I I I listen to a lot of WNBA content, and super team gets thrown out a lot when they're being referred to.

And I I never really view them as a super team. I view them as likely the most talented and best team in the league right now, and I would give them they're the champ.

I'll give that to him going into it, but I've never quite viewed them as a super team, but that's just me. Well, interesting. I think this might be our first area of descent for today's podcast.

I view them as a super team. I think, you know, previous to the Liberty, it was the Seattle storm when they had Bird and Stewie on the same team. You could make the argument that was another super team.

And I I had in my notes here, I wanted to talk about Maureen Johannes or Johannes, however you wanna say it, if you wanna be fancy. The French woman coming back after the Olympics.

She was playing on the French team, so she wasn't on the Liberty last year. But I I keep getting these recommended highlight tapes, hype films on Marine Johannes, and it's really scaring me.

And the more and more I watch them, I'm like, wait, the Liberty are giving back this magician. If you guys aren't familiar with Marine, she's an incredible, incredible player.

She's she's known for her one footed shots, like runners up a three point line off one foot. It's just not normal. A super fun, electric, entertaining player.

And the more I keep seeing, this propaganda about Marine, the more I I'm a little bit more scared about these odds and think, you know, if they made it that far and won it last year without her, I think she is that kind of high impact player that could push them to to repeat again.

So, yeah, not happy to say that out loud, but as I continue to talk about this, I think I'm in the market for a marine card.

So we'll we'll see how it goes. I think and maybe that going into the next, team, which is would be second to win would be would be the aces.

And I don't know. Maybe it's the the championship runs, but I'm still like the aces are the team to to beat to me always, and maybe it's because of Asia Wilson.

And I know there's been some change in transition with, you know, Kelsey Plum leaving, and Kate Martin was a piece of that.

She's no longer there, but, they just, Becky Hammond's such a great coach. Asia Wilson's the best player. Got Jewel Lloyd coming in now. To me, if if I were placing a bet and I'm a and I'm a fever fan, and I'm they're my squad.

But, like, if I were to place a bet to me, I would be betting on Asia Wilson just because they seem to scare me the most. Oh, they're super scary. Asia Wilson is the most scary basketball player on the planet, period.

There is nobody scarier. And, you know, I think I saw a video of Dijanae Carrington on TikTok live or Instagram live. Somebody commented and was like, Dijanae, how you stop Aja Wilson in the paint?

And she, by the way, Djane Carrington was all defensive player of the year team last year. And she was like, hell if I know. Don't ask me. And I I I couldn't agree more. I think, you know, betting against her, against AJ is a bad idea.

And I wouldn't be surprised to see them make a deep run. They're so talented. And like you said, the addition of Jewel Lloyd, I expect nothing but dominance. I expect shoe deals.

I expect all of it, and and I'm really excited to see how they do. I don't have you seen the the, Beckers and Carrington clips that they're bringing up from their the college days and just the more expensive Yukon rivalry that they had.

Yeah. That's incredible. I I love to see the banter. It's a good sign of chemistry on the team.

Nobody's taking it too serious. I'm excited to see them together for sure. No doubt. So, yeah, the the aces, are the ace for me right now, but I the other the other two spots, we have some allegiance to, so maybe we we get into that.

Yeah. So the next one up in third place at plus three eighty. The the aces were plus three fifty, by the way. The links are plus three eighty, and I have written here, I'm quite biased on this.

I think this is absolutely disrespectful. It should be a much better line for the links. I suppose I'll I'll hand it over to you, get a little bit more objective sense of what you think about this line.

You know, I I think that the links are certainly one of those squads. You are cheering for a team that has a great chance to win.

I they're they they play so well as a team. They move the ball around so well. They do the little things like rebound. They don't turn the ball over a lot. I just think of, McBuckets and fee.

That combo is just deadly. And I I go by like, I think about, like, watching just binging unrivaled. And watching those two players and watching them I know it's a different game, but just the command that they have.

And it is to have one player like that will help you in the playoffs, but to have two is really hard to defend if you're going up against them.

So not a ton of change. I will say, when you talked in one of the episodes, you're talking about, the addition of Samuelson.

The Mhmm. The the I think it was last season when the fever were playing, the mystics, and I was just like, she's a really good player. Like, she's very confident. She gets to the hole.

She's a good shooter, you know, a little undersized, but she's, she's a good player. So I feel like that is one of those bench additions that, come playoff time will probably really help out the links. Hey. Fingers crossed there.

Yeah. This is this is an interesting comparison. Like Brett said, we've got allegiances here. So I had Brett talk about the links at plus three eighty and another team that are plus three eighty are your Indiana fever.

Now, I'll just start by prefacing and saying I just I do not think the links in the fever have the same odds to win the championship. Maybe that means there's just value in one of them.

Take your pick. And, I while I'm optimistic, very optimistic about Caitlin Clark, about the fever, about the new, team that they've got going on over there with their coach, everything's good.

I'm not doubting it's gonna be good. I just don't think it's possible to be at the same level of the links within one year. The links have been building their team forever. You know what I mean?

And so this this is kind of surprising. I see it as an uphill, uphill battle for the fever to win the championship. And, especially when you compare them against that top tier, of the Liberty, the aces, and the Lynx.

I do not think they fit into that. Now like I said, I'm not anti fever. I'm very pro fever. I'm very pro Caitlin Clark, but I think this is one of those public lines.

I I don't know if there's an official word for this. I'm not too deep in the sports betting world, but, basically, I think that this is a line that the public wants to happen.

So they're betting it, meaning that Vegas has to to improve the line so that they can make money. Now I like them. I think they're good.

I think they're gonna be good. They're gonna make the playoffs. They made it in last year at that, like, last or second to last seed. I wouldn't expect them to not make the playoffs, but this seems this seems like a tough uphill battle.

I hope your fever do well, but I I suppose I'll I'll hand it over to you. Do you do you find it surprising they're neck and neck with with the links? Do you think this is a fair line?

You know, I I think there's probably some of that what the public wants baked into that. I will say it the team is a lot different than it is last year in a good way, but I'll also say we've seen this play out so many times.

It's like the forming of new team. Like, I love all the pieces. I love the coach, but, like, the chemistry is such a big component.

And it's just think it's very lofty expectations to say, like, when you make that such big such a big transformation that all of a sudden, like, that team, is a championship team.

We'll we'll see. Right? They have to hit the floor, but, I think your assessment is really fair.

But I will say, since this is a WNBA card podcast, for the WNBA card market, would there be anything bigger in cards if the fever were to win and if Caitlin Clark got the trophy in her second season.

Yeah. That would be insane. That would I pray for our our wallets if that happens because we're never owning another Caitlin Clark card.

And I think people are kind of banking on that. And if you're looking just much so. Yeah. If you're looking at the lines, it's not a far off bet. Do you know what I mean?

So, yeah, it would be exciting. I would love to see it. Like, do not get me wrong. I would love to see Caitlin Clark, one, at that level, but two, actually bring home the trophy to, a team that deserves something good to happen.

So we'll see. We'll keep an eye on it. We'll monitor it. Obviously, throughout the season, there'll be a big headline, of fever every single week, I'm sure.

And, you know, good luck to them. Good luck to you guys, but, we'll we'll see. The best part about this is we will be able to talk about this this on a weekly basis because we have a, podcast to do it.

So we'll keep you all updated on what we think. I'm sure there'll be some up weeks. There'll be some down weeks, but you'll hear all of the real perspective or the fan perspective here on this podcast.

Absolutely. I guess, why don't we close out this discussion of championship odds with a few of the teams that, you know, maybe aren't favored. They're it's a huge drop off once we get to the fever there.

It goes to plus 1,400 for the Mercury, and then the sparks and the dream are both at plus 5,000. Brett, do you think that that's something that you would, place any money on as a a a dart throw?

So I think it's if I if I had a gun to my head, I'm picking, one of the I'm I'm picking the Liberty, the aces, or the, Lynx. And then the long shot for me, even though the odds don't suggest this, would be the fever.

Mhmm. And then I I don't wanna hate on anyone else's squad or fan base, but it just seems like the league is so top heavy that it and it it's gonna be really hard in the playoffs to to beat any one of those teams.

So, no, I would not put any money on that. And, well, since it is preseason and this wasn't on the agenda, but I've already alluded to this, I'm going to be picking the aces.

And I know there's some chemistry things, but I'm I'm leaning on, the fact that they have the best player in the world on their team. So that's kinda my preseason pick to win it all.

Love it. I know very very risky. But Really risky. You're right. That's incredible. Thank you for that. And and and on that same note, I guess I'll say it'll come as no surprise to our listeners that I'm going with my Minnesota links.

I will say if I if I take off the fan hat, which is very difficult for me to do, and I hope you guys know I'm trying to be as objective as I can when I say this, but it's difficult.

I I do think the links, have the best shot at winning championship because, they were they were right there last year.

And and, you know, the lack of movement of the roster, the coach coming back. Everything's set up to go well, and sometimes, the smart pick is the boring pick, and and, you know, I I I would have to go at the lengths.

I I I can't hate on it, Caitlin. Love it. Well, what do we what do we think about, about in the same vein kind of we're moving on to we went we talked about the championship.

What about the MVP odds and and what we think Vegas has to say about that? And maybe your initial thoughts on the the parallels between the line of championship and then MVP. Yeah.

So I think if you're just looking at the Vegas lines right now, the the top it's the same as the basically, the same as the the teams where it's a player represented in the top four, has the highest odds, and those players are all on the teams that we just talked about.

So, yeah, I think I I mean, Asia Wilson has the best odds at plus 200 to win.

But Caitlin Clark, not too far behind. Then you got Fi. Then you got Brianna Stewart. So, those are probably what people can expect. MVP is so hard to forecast, though, because, you know, injuries play a role, all this stuff.

But Yep. I think just I don't know. It's, again, it's one of those things where it's like on the NBA side with Jokic, and I know he's probably not gonna win it this year because Shay had such a good year.

But it's like it's like in where I was with Peyton in the Colts. So it's just like every year, I just pick Peyton, and I kinda feel like every year, it's just like Asia Wilson's to lose, and that's kinda how I feel right now.

Yeah. I I don't think anybody expects her to perform below an MVP level. I think that's a very normal thing to see AJ. I think seeing AJ at plus money, is a great thing to see. That means that people are competing against her.

I think that's probably a good value bet to be quite honest with you. I think this would be, what, her fourth? She's gonna have her fourth MVP this year that puts her I mean, the WNBA has only been around for twenty five years, folks.

If you're winning four four, like, that's insane, and I wouldn't put it past her. I I think she's definitely the favorite, and she proved that time and time again.

AJ is at plus 200, and Caitlin Clark is at plus two thirty five. I I don't know. I like Caitlin Clark. I said we were we had a buzzer beater a couple weeks ago, I think, where Brett asked me besides Aja and Fi, who would you pick MVP?

And I said Caitlin Clark. So if you ask me to order them, my order would be different here than what Vegas has.

And Nafissa Kalia are coming in at plus 500 when Clark is at plus two thirty five is beyond me. And that's no disrespect. But Fi was an MVP caliber player last year, and Caitlin Clark was not.

And the reason why, in my opinion, was because Nafissa Collier is a winner. She's a leader, and she brought that team to the brink of a championship. And you could argue you could argue folks that she was right there.

She was literally one follow away from winning the championship after getting hurt and still putting up impressive numbers that were comparable to AJ Wilson. So I just don't think that this is a very respectful ordering.

I don't disagree with the fact that these are the top three with Stewie on the on the bubble at plus six fifty. But, yeah, if I if I had money, I think I would go with probably AJ Wilson because that is the smart, boring pick.

But Nafissa Collier is the reigning defensive player of the year who's also top three, last year, top two, I believe, in MVP votes.

This is not a normal player. This is not a normal style of basketball. And I think if we're incorporating all of the things, you know, we could get into what constitutes an MVP, and we could have this podcast go for five hours.

If you're looking at the most valuable player on the court in a game, in meaningful games, that takes her team to the next level, it is Nafissa Collier.

That is who I would pick for MVP. It the best part about all of this energy and passion is that no one has stepped on the floor yet, so this will be fun to watch unfold as, we continue as the season tips off.

And, also, what I'm interested in talking about is just the integration of cards, and there'll be more eyeballs on, this the sport than ever before. And, hopefully, this means more people talking about WMBA cards.

100%. One hundred %. And and that kinda brings us into our closing of, tip-off this week, which is no. This is preseason analysis. This is just speculation. Like you said, we don't know until they step on onto the court.

What do you think this presents for collectors or investors or flippers or whatever word you wanna use to describe people? What do you think about the buying opportunities right now as we enter week one of the preseason?

I I this this hasn't I'm unchanged from this, and this is this is the same I felt. You could have asked me the same question in the middle of last year, and I would have said this.

There is, in my opinion, in the way I view cards, I just see tremendous opportunity in getting in and starting a new player collection around a player who really interests you and not having to spend an arm in LA.

Like, I to me, all of the attention it's all the attention in any category is always on the the younger prospect or the unproven.

And right now, like, if you match that up with what's happening with the rookies in the WNBA or the rookies that were in the WNBA and their card prices to the been there, done that.

Like, there's a huge discrepancy. And I know, like, you can debate the whole rookie card versus non rookie card.

I look at it from the lens of there is only so many WNBA sets. And in those so few WNBA sets, there's so many there's so few parallels of these great players.

And to me, like, I don't know. I just look at these players we've already talked about, non Caitlin Clark. I'm just like, man, like, that card's selling for $200?

And I'm not trying to say $200 isn't a lot of money, but to me, it just seems like if what we're saying with attention going up, more eyeballs, more people entering the category, like, the the players making the headlines are gonna be the vets that we are we're talking about.

And to me, it just makes sense to be buying their cards if you have interest in being a part of this community collecting community, and that's just the way I I'm I'm unchained from that.

I feel like I'm gonna continue to hit that, beat that drum go throughout the whole season, and I'm curious on if there's any change or not in those markets.

Yeah. Preaching to the choir there, Brett. I I couldn't agree more with what you have to say. And I in our show notes here, I have Caitlin presents ridiculous idea of buying cards of players you like to watch.

That is my advice for buying opportunities. Folks, you gotta watch the damn games to know what you like and to, like, really understand why you like a player. You have to actually watch them play basketball.

So, you know, I think I saw League Pass is offering free preseason viewing. So everybody better be signing up and, you know, fork out the $30 for the WNBA League Pass in the in the regular season.

And my advice is to just don't let the numbers, don't let the odds, don't let the card hype, don't let the dollar signs fog it. When you turn on the TV and you watch AJ Wilson, you watch Nafissa Collier, you watch Stewie.

When you watch these vets, you are going to feel the difference between them and the young prospects that are just coming out of college that are shiny new toys, and you need to sit back and really reflect.

And thinking about the fact that there is a big talent gap there.

And that that's not to say the young prospects aren't gonna get there. But when I watch Fi, when I watch Asia Wilson, when I watch Stewie, it's like watching art. They're so good. It's just beautiful and that's what makes me wanna buy.

That's where I see buying opportunities. I really enjoy watching these players and I just encourage everybody, don't overthink it. Go watch the game, enjoy some basketball, and then buy whoever's speaking to you when you watch.

So I'll just close it with that. I said buy what you like, you'll be fine and you know if you wanna take a little risk, you know, why not throw a little dirt?

I love it. You love it. I love that too. Okay. So that closes out our first segment which is tip-off and we're gonna move into product pulse.

I I really like this this segment. We talk about any recent upcoming WNBA card releases, print runs, any updates that we've heard, any buzz. So so, Brett, what have you heard recently? I have not heard much.

It's been crickets regarding any new news or new information, and I'm gonna say this, though. I'm it's not I'm not out here trying. I'm trying. I'm trying to gather information. I'm trying to feel figure out what's next.

But I think the best part about this segment is we can maybe talk about existing cards that have been out and stuff that we haven't covered and maybe some sets that other people in the hobby might be curious to learn about.

So I've got one here that we've had a we, the reason why I picked it is, like, I know we've had an interaction around it, and I figured this might be a good one to bring up and chat about.

Yeah. Let's do it. So the so the one that Brett's referencing is called WNBA instant the logo. Brett's pulling it up here for our Patreon viewers. It's it's a Panini instant card, that are available online for limited time.

They are paper based cards with a action photo usually going towards the hoop, it looks like for most of these players, overlaid on a bright orange background with the WNBA logo, hence the name of the set, the logo.

Yeah. So Brett Brett asked me about the or I asked Brett about this a while back.

I saw one of these one of one version sitting on eBay at a quite a hefty asking price. And so, of course, I went to my expert, my friend, Brett McGrath, and said, what do you think about this?

And we had a a a light conversation and, you know, looking back, you know, this is the time to reflect on that. So, Brett, I I wanna hear from you first. Was that the first time you had seen that type of card when I sent it to you?

What were you thinking? You know, just overall opinions on on this type of set. So, I had seen them, but I I discounted them out of the gates because of the instant nature of it and how this type of card typically isn't a card for me.

And so when I I didn't go back and look at our interaction on this because we've got a we we message each other quite a bit, and that would have been really hard to to find.

So but I remember you you like the way your questions you were asking and how you were thinking about it were, like, very sound and on point, but I also remember being like, I don't know.

But, also, I didn't take the time to really investigate. I just seem like a card or two on, eBay. Now I'll say this, and it was probably because this happens a lot with cards.

It was probably because of that first interaction. But as I'm digging into finding opportunities and things that I've wanted to collect, I've not bought any of these cards.

However, they have been on my radar in terms of having to think about them and think about, is this something that might be notable down the road that players have interest of?

I think if I'm just looking at these cards and I don't even know the instant nature and just thinking they come from a pack, Like, I'm looking at them.

I'm like, these are pretty sick looking cards. Like, with the logo behind them and, like, you mentioned, everyone going to the hole. And I think, you know, they're on demand, so there's 208 2,832 copies, 32 players.

But within that, there is a one of one for each player. And I think if I'm thinking about collectible, if I'm thinking about just something that might last, I'm probably not gonna be buying a base version.

But if the one of my favorite players, was available in a one of one, then that maybe gets me to consider what buying that might look like.

And I'm not gonna lie. Like, I have explored what buying a one of one of one of these might look like.

I have not pulled the trigger, but the final note I have is just and what intrigues me the most about these, and this will be a theme of how like, you'll hear how I'm thinking about WMB card WNBA cards in the market just through my own personal experience, and that's just how I think about the content that I'm creating.

But I think a lot about just the fact that there's not a lot of options if you're collecting WNBA.

And so maybe in other sports, a set like this, I would have discounted out of the gates because there's a myriad of other options. With WNBA, there's not.

So I think you you you we, as collectors, need to take consideration into sets like this and maybe think a little more critically of them, as opposed to discounting them based on some of the rules that we've set up in the past, or at least that's how I'm looking at them.

No. I agree, Brett, and I I'll I'll I'll echo two things that you said. The first of which was the overall look and aesthetics of the card.

I really like these. I think that, like you said, if you take away the backdrop of this is panini instant and, you know, that might leave a sour taste in some collectors mouths.

If you're if you put this in a pack, I think these would be highly desirable inserts, especially in the one of one. And to me, the WNBA, that orange logo is iconic both to collectors, but also just to fans in general.

When I see the WNBA logo, on TV, when I see it at the bar, when I see it on somebody's shirt, I immediately feel like a moth to a light. Like, it's just immediate reaction for me of just positive.

And so when I see that's the main focus of this card, for me personally, I like it a lot. And and so I have also, like, we talked about entertain the idea of pulling the trigger on one of these particularly the Caleb McBride one of one.

And that brings me into the second thing that you said, which is like the availability of it all.

Right? I think it's good that there's some sort of print run on these, but like you said, the base isn't necessarily the most long term stable, I don't know. The value isn't gonna be there. We all can just admit that.

However, it opens a lane for those younger collectors or maybe more casual collectors to have a piece of a nice looking piece of cardboard that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, but also has that outlet for maybe the more, high end collectors with the one of one.

So I think the look and the availability both go hand in hand, and and I really like this set. I think the fact that Caitlin Clark in it also helps a lot because people are going to be drawn to anything that she's in in the future.

So, yeah, I'm excited. I I really haven't seen these too much on fellow collector's Instagram pages or on any sort of, like, hype machine Instagram pages.

I've seen a couple, but I'd love to see these get a little bit more attention. I think I might do a little bit more research and try to figure out how I can, dip my hand in the pot, so to say. Yes.

And, you know, the the problem with doing stuff like this is, like, the more we just talk about this either privately or publicly, it just gets me more interested in exploring. Did I look have I looked at this every corner the same way?

And, again, like, there's not a ton of options and, you know, maybe this is something that is you should be interested in digging into. Maybe it's not for you, but I I do love the point you made of access.

Like, we we we need even if it's not stuff that I collect or you collect, we need, to make cards, especially WNBA cards, is is accessible as possible to as many groups of people as possible.

And, like, this, to me, is a step in the right direction. Like, I don't know what is it.

Like, $10. 10 bucks, and you can get a set of 32 or whatever it costs. But I just think that's a really good thing, and we need these types of things in place in order to help grow and elevate a emerging category like WNBA cards.

Couldn't have said it better myself, Brett. Alright. I think that wraps up our our second segment. We can hop into to the market watch.

Yeah. So a fun list of cards that popped up this week that sold, we've it's been this drumbeat of conversations that we've had around these Panini instant. It was like our two weeks ago, it was like, are these happening?

Then last week, it was like, oh, they're happening. And then this week, oh, they're selling. So a lot can happen in a short amount of time, but I have the Paige Beckers up here that sold the best offer.

Her auto Panini instant out of 99 sold for $1,650. Now I saw that and was just like, wow. That's a lot of money for an instant autograph.

Obviously, like, you're gonna get collectors comparing and contrasting with the Clark stuff from last year, and I think that's very natural. But that seemed like, that seemed like a lot of money for one of these.

What what did you think about this sale and that card? Yeah. The sticker shock was a lot for me. It makes me happy, first of all, that the market is strong for Paige Beckers and to see these selling.

However, yet, this just seems like a lot of money for a card out of 99 of anybody, especially when we just factored in how collectors maybe don't enjoy the Panini instant cards as much, but now we're paying, you know, I $1,600.

Nobody is arguing that's a lot of money, especially for cardboard. And then you add on to the fact that's a WNBA card. And I think if you told somebody that ten years ago, they'd tell you you were insane and from another planet.

So when you put it into that perspective, I find it a little crazy, but bring us back to reality, which is the fact of the batter here that WNBA cards are booming and Paige Becker's is going to set those crazy records.

This is awesome. She is not just another rookie. She's going to be a superstar, and I think it's really awesome that it shows, the draft night photo with the outfit, which is, you know, an important part of of WNBA culture. No doubt.

Picked it because I wanna there's a specific topic I wanna dig into because I it hasn't been talked about a lot on the WNBA side, but the twenty twenty four prism gold vinyl one of one Sue Bird PSA nine sold via Fanatics Weekly for $2,010.

Now there's no denying Sue Bird's legacy in the game, and this card is so great. Like, just spot up, getting ready to put the ball in the through the net.

But what I wanted to bring this up because I wanted to ask you, what what do you make of the post playing day cards of a icon and a legend like Sue Bird in how WNBA collectors think about that?

Because with Prism, right, we're get like, there's a Cheryl Miller coaching card. There's all of these there's all of these they bring these players up from the past and put them on these cards.

Do you think that the post playing days has maybe the same impact or lack of impact in other sports, or do WNBA collectors not care and they're just like, it's Sue Bird.

I want this card. I think it's a little bit of both. I mean, we can't fit every collector into the same box.

That's where I'll start. This is totally up to each individual. And I'll I'll say for those of you that are viewing the screen, this has gotta be one of the most beautiful prism cards I've seen in a long time.

The gold vinyl fits perfectly with the Storm's logo. Sue's just, you know, lined up for a three pointer.

It's an awesome card. But then you add that backdrop backdrop of post playing days and I'm out. And that's not to say I don't think it's an awesome card, and I think it's worth probably what somebody paid obviously.

But for me, I think this is an added, guardrail that I've set up on my PC so that I don't go nuts in spending money. That's that's just a personal decision that I've made to keep myself in check.

Now if I had unlimited money to spend, you bet I'd be buying this. So it really is up to what everybody has done for their own collection and their guardrails.

But sweet card, congrats to the owner and, you know, just beautiful beautiful piece of cardboard here. We haven't talked about these yet, and this is the '24 origins Kelsey Plum jumbo jersey, black logo, one of one.

This sold for $1,062 on eBay. I don't believe these are game use, but I do know that the WNBA collectors or a lot of collectors that I follow, there are there are individuals that are kind of stashing these away.

Kelsey Plum, obviously, change of scenery. Big market, going to be a fun player to follow on the sparks. What what do you think about this card that comes out of Origin?

It it feels like it's the Chase card out of that product. Oh, for sure the Chase card. And for good reason here. I mean, this is a gorgeous, gorgeous card out of origins and the logo woman is just incredible.

You know when you compare this to other sports, it's interesting because only a thousand dollars for say like an NFL shield would be unheard of even if it was nonaffiliated or not game used. So, yeah, these cards are great.

Similar to post playing days, this is something that I've set up personally in my collection as a, no thank you because it the point of cards for my collecting journey is to get closer to the player, closer to the game, to remember specific moments, you know, those types of things.

And by having a non affiliated jersey that probably came from, like, Target, that doesn't get me any closer. That doesn't mean it doesn't get you or somebody else closer.

So I think it's an awesome card. And, you know, if if whoever ends up with the manufacturing, the license decides to make these game worn Oh, boy. It's gonna be a different a different game.

We're gonna have a different conversation, and it'll be awesome. But, yeah, cool card, and I'd love to see game worn versions. Alright. The final card we have here is, someone near and dear to your heart, Caitlin.

This is the 24 Select WMBA, Dafisa Collier Gold Vinyl, one of one. This is the premier level. We got the different levels to select. We, this is the debut product, the different, the second level.

How do you what do you think of the card, and how in your mind, how do you think about the different levels in the debut select product in terms of what you like the best? Lots of hot takes happening on this episode.

So everybody's hoping to do their own opinion. That's what I'll say. But first, I wanna start by saying I love the photo that was chosen for this card. Fia is kinda like backing up into what looks like her iconic step back move.

And that's kind of what leads me into my likeness of the of the different levels within select is that it gives collectors the opportunity to have a preference, either whether that be the design of the card or the photography that was chosen or you know, I I get so deep in the weeds that, you know, a certain jersey, that the player is wearing in the photograph, I like that more than a than a than an alternative.

So while the levels may not be everybody's cup of tea due to the fact that they saturate the market, I do think they present a lot of opportunities for collectors to take ownership and make decisions while investors or flippers and so on and so forth have an opportunity to make more money because of the existence of more desirable parallels like one of ones.

So there's good and bad. I I really love the look of this one in particular, and I think that it was a a great purchase, especially in a PSA ten for just under a thousand dollars.

Yeah. I think back to the what I said upfront, like, the best players in the league, this is a this there granted, there are, dip one of ones in each of these levels, and you've got gold vinyl and black finite mixed in there too.

So there's multiple one of ones. But to get a one of one of one of the league's best players in a debut product for just, you know, a thousand dollars, to me, it it that helps back up the point of what I was saying earlier.

But, yeah, I'm a fan of the I'm a fan of Debut anything. I have always liked Select. So it is this, I would say, this level is I disqualify this level from my select buying because it's my least favorite.

And I have a weird rule. My rule is if I'm going after a rookie card in select, I only go concourse because concourse is first on the checklist, and that would be their first rookie card in the product.

If I'm going for vets, I go with the courtside, because courtside is always viewed as, like, the the top shelf, top tier level.

That's my little quirky rule that I've made, but you gotta put guardrail somewhere, and that's how I do it with a product like Select.

For sure. For sure. Alright. Pickup time? Pickup time. Let's do it, Brett. I I guess I can start if you'd like. I had to pick up this week, exciting one. It was a 2022 Bowman University inception, Juju Watkins auto PSA 10.

Brett's pulling it up here. I recently posted this on my Instagram because I got back from a trip in LA and figured that the LA superstar, Juju Watkins, would be a good fitting post.

And, yeah, this this is an interesting card. You know, Bowman Yu Inception, I believe, was a one time product in 2022. It has an extraordinarily high gem rate, I think, in the 80 to 90% PSA tens.

And, it it features an autograph of Juju. So I was excited to get this one. I think her prices are down, you know, rightfully so with the injury, but, hopefully, she'll come back.

So I'll be holding on to this one. I love that. I'm I have not pulled the trigger on a Juju card yet, but I'm definitely trying to find a good opportunity.

I will share mine. I I had to make sure I, like, posted this at some level before this came out, but this is my, 2024 Aliyah Boston Black Finite one of one.

This thing popped up on eBay. And once it was it was one of those instances where it popped up for a price, and it wasn't cheap.

And I I just I had been following the Black Finites, and I've we've we've I've told the story of missing out on the, and the fee, and I was like, I'm not.

I was like, I'm not paying what they have listed, but I'm gonna make a very strong offer because I I want this card really bad, and the seller got back to you right away was super reasonable.

But, I'm very I'm very big on Black Finite in my collection. This is the only appearance of Black Finite in prism WNBA prism, and I don't we don't know what's next for WMBA Prism, so that helped influence, my collecting.

And it's fun when you get a little momentum around a a a player PC that you have, and I've kinda got a little one going on with Boston, with some cool cards.

So I'm really pumped to have this one in my collection. Congrats, Brett. That's that's an awesome one. When when you showed me that, I was very jealous. It's beautiful. So that's that's that's a great addition to the fever PC for sure.

Awesome. I'm loving the collector spotlights. And just so everyone knows, Caitlin curates these. And today's I'm I'm very familiar with today's, selection, so I'll let you take it away and as I'm pulling up his page.

Yeah. I hope, if you listen to stacking slabs, you've probably heard of this user before. If you're in the WNBA card community, you've probably heard of this user.

This is at Kevin period m period Cormier. I hope I'm saying that right, doctor Cormier. This guy is awesome. He's got a fantastic collection of WNBA cards among other other different types of sports and cards.

And, you know, he's a he's a great asset to the WNBA community. I've enjoyed, making deals with him, talking about in season games, off season moves, just incredible, and it and it really helps that he's got good taste in cards.

Brett's pulled up his one of his most recent posts, which is a 2024 prism mosaic Nafissa Collier out of three. And and you can see that we commented on our at WNBA card pod Instagram to hand it over.

So this is the the official request to hand that over to one of us and we'll take good care of it. Now now Kevin's got a great collection. I would urge everybody to shoot him a follow, go see what he's got going on.

I think he's a Connecticut Sun fan, so prayers up for you. Good luck this year. Hopefully, you'll have some new people to chase soon. Kevin's awesome. He's been a big supporter of Stacking Slabs ever since the beginning.

So when I saw you putting him on there, I was really pumped. So go follow Kevin. Awesome collector in the space. Yeah. He's awesome. Alright. So shall we close it out with one of our favorite segments, which is buzzer beaters.

Brett, are you ready? Yeah. I'm gonna shoot you the first question. You're going for this one. I'm scared. Okay. Whose cards in the WNBA do you think have value or the most room to grow right now? Enrique Oganobuole.

Oh, yes. You're you are reading my mind. Yes. Come on now. Yeah. I really think she has you know, last year we saw it with the fever and with Caitlin Clark. And obviously, we're not gonna say everybody is like Caitlin Clark.

It's just different. She was first to she got first mover advantage if you're familiar with that economic concept. But I wouldn't expect, something not similar to happen with Paige Beckers.

Paige Beckers teaming up with the shooter of Enrique Ogdenwale is going to be electric. If you haven't watched Enrique before, do yourself a favor, tune in to some Dallas wings games.

Feed or, Paige should be feeding Enrique the ball. It's gonna be fun. I think she's underrated in general, both being on the wings, but also not being on a very competitive team the past couple years in terms of making the playoffs.

And I could see a lot of player or a lot of collectors that go they turn on that TV, they watch Enrique, and they go, oh, what have I been missing?

And I need a card. So I'll go Enrique. I think she's the best scorer in the league. Period. Period. Alright. I'll hand one over to you, which is, which is more likely scenario? Just your personal opinion, not what the odds say.

Your personal opinion. Which is more likely, Caitlin Clark wins MVP this year or the fever finish below 500? What is more likely? I think it's more likely that Caitlin Clark wins MVP. Oh, that's exciting.

I like it. That that's optimistic fan, but I I was just curious. It's it's interesting to pose the the difference. Right? Yeah. I just can't. They're a lot better on paper than they were last year, and they were right at the 500 mark.

I'd be stunned if they finish below 500. Love it. Okay. We all have our favorite teams. You know, I'm a fever fan. Caitlin's a Links fan, but we also have a fandom when we're watching League Pass.

Who will be your League Pass team this year? Oh, god. Who are you like, oh, they're on? I'm watching. Okay. I'm not gonna say the aces because that's cheating. Okay? I'm not gonna say the aces.

Just know that that's what I was thinking. I'm gonna go with the Valkyries. Nice. Yeah. I'm really excited to see a new expansion team. One, I love the jerseys. Two, I love Kate Martin. Three, I love their new coach.

I think it's gonna be fun. They're a team full of mostly international players, which will be a different type of style of play, and just excited to see the fans of the The Bay Area show out for their team.

I think I'm trying to get tickets to a Valkyrie's game in Minnesota, so we'll see if that can happen.

I I I'm just excited to see something new. I love the Valkyries call out. I I love watching expansion teams. I'm a startup guy, so watching startup teams is fun.

Speaking your language. Alright. Next question. This is a you have a thousand dollars to spend question. Would you rather have an Afisa Collier gold vinyl one of one or a Paige Becker's instant auto out of '99?

Gold fee, gold vinyl one of one. We don't even need to talk about it. There's no question. Not even close. I like the conviction. Okay. Last question for me or to you.

What is the coolest type of car that you've seen or admired, but you've never owned? Select 2024 Select courtside tie dies. Oh. I think somebody in the community built the set actually already, which is near impossible.

I don't know how they did that, but I really like out of '25 is a sweet spot for me. I know a lot of people like the out of tens, but, I'm not made of money like that. So I'm not I can't just justify it.

So out of 25 is a little bit more accessible, and I love the color of the tie dye with the design. That's that's a card that I haven't I don't haven't owned one yet, but, it I maybe after this episode, I'll have to change that.

I love it. The tie dyes are sneaky. Those are fun cards for sure. Exactly. Alright. Final question. This is a fill in the blank for you.

The card market sweetheart or darling by the all star weekend will be blank. Man. I this is this is going to be so I'm gonna just we'll we'll take Caitlin Clark out of it. I'm gonna just take you know what?

I'm gonna say this is gonna sound so obvious, but I'm just gonna say AJ Wilson because I don't un like, I can't understand how you've got the second most efficient player in WNBA history with all these accolades championships, and it just to me, it it it seems like when people, like, realize what's going on and they start paying attention, people are gonna be like, why am I not collecting Asia Wilson?

So that would be my selection because to me, she's clearly the the best player in the league and has the stats and the accolades to back it up.

So I think we're gonna get smarter as a community or new people that come in are gonna get educated hopefully through buying her carts. She's got the shoe deal. She's gonna become more marketable, that whole thing.

So I'm going AJ Wilson. So Brit's telling everybody to wake up and buy AJ Wilson card. I only she was only my answer for, like, every every when when when you clearly have the best player in the league, it's just like, alright.

I just gotta state the obvious. But Hey. Fair enough. Fair enough. Alright. I think that that closes us up for today. This was an awesome episode four. I can't believe we get to say episode four.

We're we're one third of the way through our 12 episode plan, I suppose, and super excited to continue bringing you guys this content. Check us out at WNBA card pod on Instagram if you aren't already.

We post I've been making some recaps of each episode in case you, wanna see what's going on over there. But thank you everyone for listening. We appreciate it, and we'll see you next week.