If you’ve been anywhere near hobby Twitter or X or whatever it is now, and if you read our blog/visit our site, then you’ve probably heard the buzz. We wrote about Zeagley just this week and have already been accused of “schilling” for them.
Zeagley is causing a stir. Before I go on, let me pose this question for you to ponder as you read the rest: If there is nothing to see here, then why is PSA staring so hard?
You can read the specifics about Zeagley here, but here are the basics:
- AI powered
- $9.99 per slab.
- Plus more.
But now, they’ve found themselves in the middle of a full-blown hobby drama just days ahead of Fanatics Fest.
Here it is in a quick summary:
According to a series of updates posted on Zeagley.com, the company has officially paused its launch, citing delays in finalizing its grading labels.
“Without our labels finalized, we can’t grade—and launching without them would compromise our standards,” they said. Respect to them for not half-stepping. But also…why the heck did you announce and plan a coming out part at Fanatics Fest with no slab? (How’s that for not schilling!)
This sudden pivot means no grading until after Fanatics Fest wraps up on June 22, and all new orders are on hold until then. If you’ve got cards in the system already, they promise updates—and “great news”—are coming your way directly.
But, again: Why are you grading with no slabs?
But that’s not the real headline. That’s just annoyingly dumb, in my opinion.
On June 17, PSA sent Zeagley a cease-and-desist over their label design, claiming the use of a red border was a little too familiar.
Zeagley didn’t hold back in their response:
“Yes, really. Not a challenge to our tech. Not a concern over our accuracy. Just… our color choice.”
(This is why I asked my initial question). Sure, Zeagley looks a little sus. They have a weak website, etc. BUT AGAIN: Why is PSA tripping so bad if there is not real threat?
Zeagley went on in their response (rather immaturely)
“If using the color red is now considered a crime, then fine—Zeagley slabs will proudly switch to Sad Banana Yellow.”
It’s clear Zeagley sees this as a sign they’re rattling the cage of an old-school grading system. And I agree.
While PSA is worried about design cues, Zeagley’s been focused on speed, automation, and affordability. “We built our own hardware. Our own software. Our own identity,” they noted.
The only reason I can come up with is that PSA is JUST NOT confident in AI grading yet and while Zeagley is ALL IN ON IT, PSA can only hope to trip them up or slow them down while they continue testing their own AI engines and holding on to those HIGH CHARGES, RIDICULOUS UPCHARGES, etc.
As if things weren’t spicy enough, Zeagley is also closing its final round of funding this weekend in New York. Minimum buy-in? $100,000. They’re offering convertible notes and equity opportunities—no Gmail accounts allowed.
So to sum it up:
- Launch delayed until post-Fanatics Fest
- PSA slapped them with a cease-and-desist
- New label coming soon
- Investment window closing fast
- Zeagley says they’re not backing down
Whether you’re in on this new player or skeptical, one thing’s for sure: Zeagley has grabbed the hobby’s attention—and PSA’s too.
As they put it: “Innovation shouldn’t be threatened. It should be expected.”
Follow the updates at Zeagley.com or their X account @ZeagleyGrading. And if you’re at Fanatics Fest, you might want to swing by their booth. This story is just getting started.
I mean, you are shilling for them. They’ve shown nothing to prove they’re actually capable of grading with AI. Not on the Fanatics Fest floor plan. No social media posts showing they’re even there. They nuked their Twitter. All their site pics? PSA slabs with amateur Photoshop. Dropped an AMA on Blowout and dipped without answering. Nothing about them screams innovation—just smoke and mirrors.
Agreed. I am. Upside is high reward, low risk. Downside is low risk and low reward.