Show Notes
This week on the podcast, we’re switching gears and diving deep into the world of trading cards and content creation with special guest, EAB Skills. EAB takes us through his journey from a professional football freestyler to becoming a heavyweight in the card scene. We chat about the reality of the grind, his partnership with Panini, and why the landscape of social media has changed so drastically since 2013. Whether you're into NFL cards or EFL stickers, the principles are the same. EAB drops gems on "community over sales," navigating the pressure of working with pro athletes, and why the UK trading card scene is evolving differently from the US. In this episode, we cover: The Pivot: Transitioning from freestyle skills to the business of The Hobby.
The Strategy: How to tailor content for TikTok vs. YouTube without burning out.
The Market: Differences between the UK and US scenes and making cards accessible for the next generation.
The Future: What the 2026 World Cup means for creators and collectors.
Connect with 3rd Down UK: Web: 3rddown.co.uk
Socials: Follow us @3rddownuk on all platforms for the latest updates.
Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction: EAB Skills and early beginnings(02:25) The evolution of social media since 2013(05:29) Competition vs. Collaboration in the scene(11:26) Tailoring content: YouTube vs. The Rest(14:31) The pressure of working with top-tier athletes(20:02) Inside the Panini partnership(23:14) The impact of EFL stickers and collectibles(26:12) Future trends in the trading card market(33:09) The transition into trading cards(35:56) Building a community through value(42:53) Why "Community Over Sales" is the winning play(44:44) UK vs. US Trading Card Scene: What's the difference?(49:50) Making the hobby accessible for kids(56:12) Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup
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