Could College Cards Be the Hobby’s Next Boom? Live at The National

Is college sports the next big opportunity in the hobby?

Recorded live from the VIP Lounge at The National Sports Collectors Convention, Ryan Alford and Brian Ludden sit down with Evan Parker, CEO of Onit and co-founder of Mantle, for a conversation about the future of college sports cards, NIL, and where the hobby is headed next.

Evan shares how Onit is building officially licensed college trading cards that feature entire teams—not just future professional stars—while creating meaningful collectibles for athletes who may never receive another licensed card. The conversation also explores how Mantle is helping connect collectors, why community is becoming more important than ever, and how expanding into women’s sports and underserved markets could introduce an entirely new generation of collectors to the hobby.

The group also dives into what separates premium products from souvenirs, why Onit remains committed to licensed, on-card autographs, and how collector feedback continues to shape the company’s future releases. Whether you’re prospecting tomorrow’s biggest stars, collecting your alma mater, or simply curious about where sports cards are headed next, this episode offers a fascinating look at one of the hobby’s fastest-growing categories.

In This Episode• Why college sports cards are gaining momentum

• How NIL changed the trading card industry

• Building Onit into a premium licensed card brand

• What Evan learned from helping build Mantle

• Why Onit is committed to on-card autographs

• Growing the hobby through women’s sports

• Trends and takeaways from The National

• What’s next for Onit

🔗 Learn More

Ryan Alford
ryanalford.com

Evan Parker
linkedin.com/in/evaneparker

Onit Athlete
onitathlete.com

The National Sports Collectors Convention
nsccshow.com

Collector Nation
thecollectornation.com

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