You heard it here first (well… second 😉): one of the most iconic names in sports card grading — Beckett — just got scooped up by the parent company of PSA. And if you’re thinking “Wait… wasn’t Beckett the underdog?” — you’re not alone. This isn’t just another acquisition. It might be the biggest structural shift in the grading world in years. ESPN.com+1
What Actually Happened?
Late in December 2025, Collectors — the corporate parent behind PSA — announced it agreed to acquire Beckett, one of the hobby’s oldest grading brands. Beckett will continue to operate under its own name and keep its grading, pricing guides, and marketplace running as usual — at least for now. Cllct
This follows Collectors’ earlier purchase of SGC (another grading competitor) in 2024, meaning the company now controls a staggering share of the grading market. Sports Collectors Digest
Why This Matters for Collectors
It sounds tame on paper: “Beckett stays independent!” But let’s call it like it is — this is major market consolidation.
Here’s the real skinny:
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PSA, Beckett, and SGC together account for roughly ~80% of grading volume, leaving only a tiny slice of the market to other graders. Cllct
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That kind of control could shape prices, turnaround times, and even acceptance standards — especially if the brands don’t stay truly autonomous.
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Past acquisition behavior has hobbyists very nervous: when SGC joined the Collectors family, grading volume and visibility dropped — not exactly the “independent brand boost” many were promised. Sports Collectors Digest
Let’s be honest: less competition usually = worse outcomes for consumers — slower service, higher fees, fewer alternatives. That’s not theory, that’s economics. And collectors are already feeling it.
Collectors Aren’t Happy — And They’re Speaking Up
This deal has sparked real backlash. Sports card fans — and even legal analysts — are asking tough questions about whether this consolidation creates a monopoly or stifles competition. Some industry lawyers say the market dominance PSA’s parent now wields could trigger antitrust concerns. Sports Collectors Digest
And it’s even gone political:
U.S. Congressman Pat Ryan has formally called on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate whether this acquisition (and past ones) violate antitrust laws and harm competition in the hobby. Congressman Pat Ryan
Ryan’s letter isn’t just a hobbyist rant — he specifically asks the FTC to look at:
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Whether the acquisitions were designed to eliminate competition
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If regulatory loopholes were exploited to dodge merger scrutiny
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The impacts on pricing, grading standards, and market fairness
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Barriers for new grading companies trying to enter the industry Congressman Pat Ryan
That’s a big deal — especially since it could reshape how grading companies operate in the U.S. going forward.
So What Does This Mean For You?
Here’s the honest truth:
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Short term: submissions to PSA and Beckett should continue normally. Nothing’s changing overnight on pricing or process. VeVe Blog
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Medium term: if PSA’s parent calls more shots behind the scenes, we could see grading standards, turnaround times, or pricing shift in ways collectors wouldn’t prefer.
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Long term: with fewer independent graders in the mix, collectors may have less leverage and fewer choices — exactly the opposite of what drives a healthy hobby.
This isn’t doom-and-gloom — it’s just reality. Every hobby evolves, and sometimes big moves like this force us to rethink strategy.
What Should Collectors Do Now?
If you take anything away from this, make it this:
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Stay informed. This isn’t a “set it and forget it” story. Regulatory decisions could change the game.
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Diversify where you grade. If Beckett and PSA are both under one roof, having alternate graders (like CGC) in your playbook might be smart.
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Engage with the community. Collector advocacy — especially around competition and transparency — matters.
Bottom line: This feels less like a hobby milestone and more like a power shift. PSA’s parent company buying Beckett is big news — and we’re just starting to see what it might mean for prices, service, and competition. Stay sharp, stay vocal, and keep ripping cards unapologetically.
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