Nonsense Newsletter #26: Welcome to the UFC, NFTs, The NFL Draft, and the Guys rip with some of the NFL's top draft picks.
Sponsored by SGC Cards gosgc.com
It’s been exciting with the start of the NHL playoffs, the next round of the NBA playoffs, the NFL draft, and our huge GIVEAWAY HAPPENING (enter below)! This week’s edition we delve into the world of UFC card collecting, take a look at the NFL Draft and talk a little NFT how-to! I know, sounds exciting, doesn't it? Great! So grab your coffee, sit back, and enjoy this week’s Nonsense Newsletter.
Contributor: John McTaggart
I have been in this hobby, this business, since the late 1980s. Now, not only does this make me feel old, but it also means I have seen many changes, many phases, and lived through many cycles in the industry.Â
From the so-called Junk Wax Era to the state of the hobby today, I’ve had a front-row seat to it all. In order to last this long in the hobby, you not only need a legitimate passion for it, but you also need to be willing to change, adapt, and evolve.Â
For me, part of this evolution is beginning today.Â
As a writer for this newsletter, I get the honor to interact with folks just like you, passionate and knowledgable individuals about trading cards. And although my experience in the business has me pretty well-versed on a lot of things, there is one aspect, one growing aspect, of the hobby that I need to step up my game on — UFC.
So, as of this morning, I’m beginning this journey.Â
And I’ll admit, I’m not a big UFC guy. I don’t wait for the next pay-per-view event. I don’t know probably half the players in the game, so to speak, and I am anything but schooled on this hobby niche. But I’m going to learn, and I’m hoping some of you may help me along this journey, or perhaps even travel this path beside me.Â
Contributor: John Dudley
Nothing brings out optimism for the upcoming football season than the NFL Draft. All of your team’s shortcomings can be wiped out by the savvy selection of the proper draft class, or at least that’s the hope. That said there is some disappointment in the lack of quarterbacks at the top of the draft. Regardless, collectors will line up to snag cards of the new crop of players so it’s time to get to know them a bit better.
In typical By the Numbers style, I’ll highlight an intriguing stat for each player discussed that might be beneficial in sussing out who the big stars from the class will be. Â
The Quarterbacks
Sure, only one QB went in the first two rounds, but there are still several hobby-relevant new additions behind center. The QB class can best be characterized by uncertainty as mock drafts had as many as four going in the first round. Even in a down year, the QBs should dominate the hobby landscape so let’s check them out.
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A NFT Tutorial
Collecting 101
Contributor:Â John Dudley
So, you’ve probably heard of these NFT things. NFTs have taken the world by storm be it in the art market or collectibles. That said, getting into NFTs can be intimidating and it is hard to know where to start. This handy dandy brief guide will help get you started on your collection of NFTs from Panini. Â
1. The first thing you’ll need to do is to set up an account with Panini. This is easy and the process is the same as it is for virtually every website. You can sign up here. Just click on the sign-in button at the top right to be prompted to create an account if you do not have one.
2. Change your Panini blockchain name. You get assigned a random blockchain name upon signing up, but you can change it so it’s not unmemorable gobbledygook. Simply click on the My Profile link that pops up when you highlight or move the cursor over your user name. The first thing that pops up includes a box titled Blockchain Nickname. Click the pencil at the top of the box to change it to your preferred name. Remember the hobby is family-friendly so keep the names classy.  Â
3. Now that you are set up with your shiny new Panini account and blockchain name, let’s get some NFTs! There are a few ways to get Panini NFTs. The most obvious is to buy them directly in the form of packs or as singles from Panini. Be sure to check out the different types of packs available for each release as they have different inserts/content. Also, be sure to click on the icons for the different sports to make sure you see all of Panini’s offerings as they often have some that do not load on the main page at first. Cards or packs you buy show up reasonably quickly under My Collection in the NFT section. Â
4. You can also get NFTs through the marketplace. The marketplace is where you’ll buy and sell your NFTs. Listing is easy by simply clicking on the card you want to list and setting a starting price and a buy-it-now price. All transactions are secure and fast so no refunds or disgruntled buyers to deal with!
5. Challenges are many people’s favorite thing about the BFT market. Panini sends out sought-after exclusive reward cards to collectors that have met the requirements of a set challenge (normally collecting 15 specific cards). You only have to have the cards in your collection when the timer goes off and Panini does all the work for you. No forms to fill out, no long wait times for redemptions, simply collect and let Panini send the rewards.
6. Did I mention giveaways? Panini’s NFT giveaways are the stuff of legend and possibly the biggest in the industry. For the NFL Draft, Panini gave away extremely limited NFTs (pr of 39) for absolutely free. They often run smaller promotions with shows such as Sports Card Nonsense so be sure to check the YouTube feed, the Facebook Group, and Instagram so you don’t miss out. Â
7. And the big news, you can also get exclusive access to breaks for Panini’s UFC NFTs on the amazing new Card Shop Live app! This is great news and should really add to the community-building aspect of NFTs. Sign up today!
Quick Hits
Grading News
April saw a decline in grading numbers with a drop of almost 15% in cards graded from March. While that might sound like a bad thing, it’s more indicative of PSA catching up on their backlog. Despite the downturn, BGS continued to increase its capacity as does CSG. The battle for the second biggest grading company is heating up with SGC currently in the driver’s seat, but the other two improving.
Pop Culture
Next up to get their own spotlight set isn’t a YouTube star, or a member of the Marvel glitterati, or even a Star Wars favorite. It’s George Washington! 2022 Historic Autographs: The Washington Chronicles edition highlights events from Washington’s life and includes rare cut signatures and hair relics. Look for it out May 18th or check retailers for presales.
 Need More Nonsense?
The guys are back with their Monday and Thursday show for the Podcast. Jeremy Lee from Sports Cards Live will be on the show to talk hockey on Monday. They will also be taking a deep dive into NBA playoffs.
The Sports Card Nonsense newsletters reflect the opinions of only the authors and contributors. They are for informational purposes only, and are not a recommendation for purchases or of an investment strategy or to buy or sell any assets.