Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant Sports Card Reaches Record Figure at Auction
A sports trading card signed by Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant sold for a staggering $12.932 million on Saturday night, setting a new record for the most expensive sports card in history. The card, belonging to the Upper Deck Exquisite collection from the 2007-08 season, features the signatures of Jordan and Bryant, and is a one-of-a-kind edition (1-of-1). This gem surpassed the 1952 Mickey Mantle card, which sold for $12.6 million at the end of August 2022. The Jordan/Bryant card auction was managed by Heritage Auctions, although the buyer’s identity has not been revealed. This card is positioned as the second most valuable sports collectible of all time, surpassed only by Babe Ruth’s 1932 World Series jersey, known as the “called shot,” which sold for $24.12 million almost a year ago.Chris Ivy, director of sports auctions at Heritage, recalled that Upper Deck first launched Exquisite, charging $500 for a five-card pack/box in the 2003-04 edition. This set was responsible for a LeBron James rookie card that reached $5.2 million, holding the record for the most expensive basketball card until Saturday.[They] were somewhat ridiculed, but they appealed to a demographic that wasn’t interested in gimmicks: they just wanted the best of the best.
Chris Ivy, Director of Sports Auctions at Heritage
This rarity explains the high price, even though the card received a grade of 6 from the card grading company Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA).But Exquisite was the first, Exquisite opened the way. It is the pinnacle when it comes to modern card collectors, and this is the only time there have been Logomans autographed by Jordan and Kobe. Another cannot be created. It has always been considered by modern basketball collectors as a holy grail.
Chris Ivy, Director of sports auctions at Heritage
Ivy indicated that the consignment of the card began in February. The previous owner kept the card for more than a decade and rejected private offers of “high seven figures” in favor of a public auction, where Heritage considered it would surely exceed $5 million.A 1986 Fleer Jordan in a grade of 6 sells for a couple of thousand, while a [grade] 10 currently sells for almost $200,000. Grades matter when it comes to the prices of standard issue cards, but this is a 1 of 1, so the grade is less important overall to the card’s performance.
Chris Ivy, Director of Sports Auctions at Heritage
Ivy also highlighted that, following the fraudulent memorabilia scandal involving Brett Lemieux, the authenticity of Bryant and Jordan’s signatures on this card is “bulletproof.” Lemieux allegedly flooded the market with fraudulent Kobe items after his death in 2020.The pre-auction estimate was over $6 million, so sometimes, if a piece is unique like this, it’s really beneficial to let it have its day. [Where] you can have new collectors come to light or people willing to participate and pay more.
Chris Ivy, Director of Sports Auctions at Heritage
It has been a standout month for Kobe Bryant cards. High-end collector Matt Allen, known as Shyne on social media, revealed that he privately spent $4 million on signed Panini Flawless Logoman 1-of-1 cards of Bryant: one from 2017-18 for $1.7 million and another from 2015-16 for $2.3 million, which was the record paid for a Bryant card until the sale on Saturday night. Saturday would have been Bryant’s 47th birthday.The scandal makes articles like this a bit more desirable: Upper Deck has a contract with Jordan; he’s been with them for decades. Kobe was with Upper Deck until 2009. They worked directly with these athletes to get this article signed. It’s guaranteed by them and by PSA. That’s why you see a premium for articles that have verified provenance and authentication.
Chris Ivy, Director of Sports Auctions at Heritage
