Jordan and Kobe: Trading card reaches record $12.9M

A Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant Sports Card Reaches a Record Price of $12.932 Million

A signed sports collectible card featuring Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant reached an astonishing $12.932 million on Saturday night, setting a new record as the most expensive sports card ever sold. The card, belonging to the Upper Deck Exquisite collection from the 2007-08 season, features Dual Logoman autographs from Jordan and Bryant, being a unique card numbered 1 of 1. This copy surpassed the 1952 Mickey Mantle card from the Topps brand, which sold for $12.6 million at the end of August 2022. The sale of the Jordan/Bryant card was made through Heritage Auctions. The purchase was made jointly by Canadian investor Kevin O’Leary, collector Matt Allen (known as Shyne150 on social media), and businessman Paul Warshaw. This card becomes the second most expensive 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.

It was a time when people who weren’t interested in tricks, just wanted the best of the best.

Chris Ivy, Director of Sports Auctions at Heritage

Chris Ivy, director of sports auctions at Heritage, recalled the launch of Exquisite by Upper Deck, when five-card packs were sold for $500 in the 2003-04 edition. This collection was responsible for a LeBron James rookie card that reached $5.2 million, holding the record for the most expensive basketball card until the recent sale. The Jordan/Bryant card is a highly valuable collector’s item, especially due to its rarity and authenticity.

The authenticity of the card is a key factor, especially in the context of the Brett Lemieux fraudulent memorabilia scandal. The card is guaranteed by Upper Deck and PSA, which ensures its value. Collector Matt Allen, known as Shyne on social media, revealed that he privately acquired signed Panini Flawless Logoman cards of Bryant for $4 million: one from 2017-18 for $1.7 million and another from 2015-16 for $2.3 million, which was the record for a Bryant card until Saturday night’s sale. This event coincided with what would have been Kobe Bryant’s 47th birthday.