In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Tony Cefalu—founder of Sportano Collecting Club and creator of The Underdog Hobby Show.

Tony is a lifelong collector who has built a community-first alternative to the status-driven, hype-heavy side of today’s hobby. Through his events, he’s creating spaces centered on connection, access, and authenticity—where collectors of all levels feel welcome.

In this conversation, Alyx and Tony unpack the growing culture shift in the hobby—from gatekeeping and ego to live-selling pressure, inflated pricing, and FOMO-driven behavior.

Tony shares what he’s seen on platforms like Whatnot, where speed, urgency, and manipulation can pull collectors—especially newer ones—into decisions they don’t fully understand in real time.

The conversation also turns personal, as ...