Hobby Nonsense: Non-Sports FTW
Non-sports cards are having a moment. Fanatics is running around snapping up IP licenses, TCGs are the hottest thing in the hobby, and there is finally a Hobby Nonsense podcast from Jesse Gibson, one of the hosts of the O.G. Sports Cards Nonsense podcast.
I think non-sports cards can go to even new heights in the next decade. TCGs are already doing great, but I’m curious as to how non-TCG non-sports cards can gain a bigger following in the hobby. I’ve got a few ideas below and would be curious to hear others in the comments.
Non-Sports Growth Ideas
1. Cast a wider net- Most non-sports products are very specific to individual movies or shows. Broader releases are more likely to attract collectors. Fanatics’ recent Disney Genesis is a good example of this pulling from multiple IP lines to create a product that appeals broadly.
2. Rookies- Rookies drive the sports card hobby. They don’t really exist in non-sports. That needs to change. It’s not an easy task to figure out how rookies should work but Topps is dabbling with first-appearance tags. Currently, the non-sports landscape reminds me of early 00s baseball where there was a debate for each player over what their best rookie card was and what year it was from. The system doesn’t need to make sense, but non-sports needs a rookie shield protocol.
3. Predictable Releases- My biggest gripe with non-sport releases is most are afterthoughts tied to specific releases. We need predictable yearly releases. Flagship, Chrome, Heritage, Stadium Club, and Finest releases for Star Wars, Marvel, WWE, and whatever major IP Fanatics snags need to all be yearly releases that collectors look forward to.
4. Get current- What’s hot in pop culture changes super fast. Releases need to be timed to be current with major pop culture trends. Topps Now is an obvious way to do this and the recent WWE offerings are a good sign.
5. Bring the FOMO/attract the breakers/bigger cards- I had to rewrite this section as Topps did just this with the release of some major WWE Topps Now cards with major chase autos. Fanatics understood the assignment. Good job.
6. Folks listen to Hobby Nonsense. The hobby is best when it builds community. Podcasts are a great way to do that and between a shiny new podcast and a Facebook group with over 50,000 members Hobby Nonsense can help grow the non-sport side of the hobby.
Wrap Up
I’m excited for non-sports cards in 2025 and think there is quite the room for growth. Let me know what you think might help in the comments.