I know there are a lot of different sports out there. The ones I mentioned below are ones that are quite popular with a lot of people. Ultimately, the popularity of a sport serves as a baseline when estimating how many people of that fan base may collect cards hence creating an active market for the cards of that sport.
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Basketball: Lebron James. For all the reasons I had posted previously and numerously about how he is likely the future GOST of the sport, at a few dollars for his rookie insert card, I think it is worth the investment.
Baseball: Tai Peete. You probably never heard of him before but I think he has the physical tools and the pedigree to succeed in the big league. He is estimated to make his debut at around 22 or 23. His 1/1 numbered RPAs are quite cheap if you can find one probably in the low double-digits.
Football: Jalen Hurts. Mahomes will likely not be the GOAT and no one else in this era will likely beat Brady to become the GOAT. Jalen Hurts rookie cards are very much undervalued. He is turning 28 during 2026 season, yet he already has a Super Bowl ring, Super Bowl MVP, three Pro Bowls plus he probably could end up with superstar level total stat lines and an MVP before he retires as most elite quarterbacks can now play to their late 30s early 40s now. He also won a national championship in college for Alabama. For two to three dollars you can buy his base rookie cards. I think that’s a solid deal.
Soccer: Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. I already mentioned this in a previous post. I think for a few dollars for his rookie card it’s an excellent deal especially him possibly playing with his dad on the same team in 2030 FIFA World Cup in Portugal and 2034 FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia.
NASCAR Racing: Jeff Gordon. I don’t think he is the GOAT but then again there seems to be no consensus on who is the GOAT in this sport anyway. His culture impact and his contributions in elevating the sport was GOAT like. Few dollars for his 1991 rookie cards is probably somewhat worth it if you are a racing fan.
Cricket: Joe Root. Without going into details, I think he will be the GOAT. If you can get his rookie card for less than 30 dollars, I think that will be a good deal.
Hockey: Alexander Ovechkin. You can buy his Upper Deck rookie cards for a few dollars. I think this is an incredible deal considering he plays in one of the toughest eras to score a goal and he hold the all-time goals record and will likely exceed 1,000. I think this is an excellent deal.
Golf: Tiger Woods. You can literally buy his 2001 rookie or rookie insert cards from Upper Deck for a dollar or less. I am pretty sure it’s an excellent deal considering he is tied for all-time PGA tour wins with Sam Snead and has a chance break the record. He is also a billionaire athlete. Yes, I know he might not be perfect, but being widely recognized as one of the GOAT if not the GOAT, I think a dollar for one or two of his rookie card(s) is probably a no-brainer choice.
Tennis: Iga Swiatek. At 25, she only turned pro for a few years yet she already been the number 1 player in the world for a few years and her life-time winnings is already about halfway from earning leader Serena William’s total. She lost her number 1 status mostly because of injuries. She is also very marketable as an athlete which as you know I can’t really talk too much about as to why. I think she has the physical tool and will likely have the career longevity to become the number 1 money earner of all time in her sport partly with help of inflation but that is another story.
Table Tennis: Ma Long. He is the undisputed GOAT of the sport. I think once he retires his national team will decline in the sport as Japan takes over. Japan already got some of the top youth table tennis players in the world. I think Ma Long will play in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. If you can buy his rookie card for a buck or two, it’s probably a solid deal.
Rugby: Dan Carter. I think if you can get his rookie card at around 20 it would be a decent deal though I don’t think Rugby at this stage has a consensus GOAT.
Pickleball: Ben Johns. I was going to say Anna Leigh Waters and I actually own a large quantity of her rookie cards. However, I believe her rookie cards’ value have somewhat peaked at the current given range. I think if you can get Johns’ rookie card at around $20, it’s probably a good deal.
Formula One Racing: Lewis Hamilton. I think he will be in the sport for a few more years and get his all-time record then retire. I think if you can buy his rookie card for under 50 dollars it would be a good deal.
Cycling: Lance Armstrong. Yes, no one is perfect. He is the American GOAT in the sport and his 1992 Impel Olympic Hopefuls rookie card is only a buck or two which is very reasonable.
Boxing: Oscar De La Hoya. His 1992 Impel Olympic Hopefuls rookie card at a buck or two is a good deal.
UFC: Jon Jones. I think the GOAT will eventually become very popular as well. If you can find his rookie card for 25 dollars it’s probably a good deal.
Bowling: Walter Ray Williams Jr. He is probably the GOAT in the sports. If you can get his 1990 rookie card for around 10 dollars that would probably be a good deal.
BMX: Mat Hoffman. He is probably not the consensus GOAT but if you can find his rookie card for a dollar or two, it’s probably a decent deal.
Motorcross/Supercross: Ricky Carmichael. As the undisputed GOAT, I think finding his rookie card for under 20 dollars is a good deal.
Skating: Tony Hawk. He is probably the GOAT in the eyes of many people. I think if you buy his 1990 Sports Illustrated for Kids rookie card for around 20 dollars it’s probably a pretty good deal.
Swimming: Michael Phelps. He is the GOAT and the greatest Olympian of all-time. If you can find his rookie card under 20 dollars, it’s probably a good deal.
Surfing: Kelly Slater. He is the GOAT in the sport. If you can find his 1993 Sports Illustrated for Kids rookie card for around 30 dollars it’s probably a good deal.
Lacross: Gary Gait. If you can find his rookie card for around 20 dollars it’s probably a solid deal.
Water polo: Maggie Steffens. If you can find her rookie card for a few dollars it’s probably a solid deal.
Volleyball: Karch Kiraly. If you can find his rookie card for a few dollars it’s probably a solid deal.
Snowboarding: Shaun White. If you can find his rookie card for around 20 dollars it’s probably a solid deal.
Track and Field: Quincy Wilson. He already won an Olympic gold at 16. He broke a lot of important records for his age group. I think he has a chance to be the GOAT. If you can find his rookie card for a dollar or two, it’s likely an excellent deal.
Gymnastics: Simone Biles. If you can get her rookie card at around 10 dollars I think it’s a solid deal.
Figure Skating: Alysa Liu. I think she has a chance to become the GOAT due to her current age and potential to win more Olympics medals. Not only is she popular and transcendent in the cultural sense but is also a potential geopolitical icon. I personally believe at a dollar or two for her rookie card, it’s beyond an excellent deal.
Wrestling: The Rock. I think if you can find his rookie card for around 10 dollars it would be a good deal.
Horse Racing: Victor Espinoza. I don’t think he is the GOAT but I think if you can find his rookie card for a dollar or two it’s probably a decent deal.