Record-Breaking Sale: MJ-Kobe Card Fetches $12.9 Million

A signed sports card featuring basketball legends Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant sold for a staggering $12.932 million on Saturday night, setting a new record for the highest price ever paid for a sports card. The card, part of the 2007-08 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection, is a unique 1-of-1 dual autographed Logoman, surpassing the previous record held by a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card, which sold for $12.6 million in August 2022.

The auction took place through Heritage Auctions, although the identity of the buyer has not been disclosed. This particular card is now the second-most expensive sports collectible in history, trailing only behind Babe Ruth’s 1932 World Series “called shot” jersey, which fetched $24.12 million nearly a year ago.

Significance and History of the Card

Chris Ivy, Heritage Auctions’ director of sports auctions, reflected on the impact of the Exquisite Collection when it first debuted. He recalled that Upper Deck initially priced a five-card pack at $500 during the 2003-04 release. This line was responsible for a $5.2 million LeBron James rookie card, which held the record for the most expensive basketball card until now.

“I remember when they were kind of mocked, but it tapped into a demographic that wasn’t interested in gimmicks: They just wanted the best of the best,” Ivy stated. “They were adding patches and signatures, Logomen – this was one of the first times logos from the jersey were used in this manner.”

Since then, other brands like Panini have introduced lines such as National Treasures and Flawless, which retail for over $3,000 per box. Yet, Ivy emphasized that Exquisite remains unmatched in the modern card collecting community, particularly because this card represents the only instance of Jordan and Bryant’s autographed Logoman.

Despite receiving a grade of 6 from the Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), the card’s rarity contributed significantly to its record-breaking sale price. Ivy explained, “A 1986 Fleer Jordan in a grade 6 sells for a couple thousand, while a [grade] 10 sells for almost $200,000 currently. Grades matter for standard-issue cards, but this is a 1-of-1, so the grade is less important overall.”

The Auction Process and Market Dynamics

The consignment of the Jordan-Bryant card began in February and had been held by the previous owner for over a decade. That individual reportedly turned down several high seven-figure private offers, opting instead for an open auction, with Heritage estimating that the card would sell for over $5 million. Ivy noted, “The pre-auction estimate was $6 million plus, so sometimes if a piece is unique like this, it’s really beneficial to let it have its day.”

The ongoing Brett Lemieux fraudulent memorabilia scandal has heightened interest in authenticated items like this card. Lemieux allegedly flooded the market with counterfeit Kobe items after Bryant’s death in 2020. Ivy reassured that the authenticity of this particular card is “ironclad,” as Upper Deck has a long-standing relationship with both Jordan and Bryant, ensuring that the signatures are genuine.

“The scandal makes items like this a little more desirable,” Ivy remarked. “They worked with these athletes directly to have this item signed. It’s guaranteed by them as well as PSA, which is why you see a premium for items that have verified provenance and authentication.”

In a notable month for Kobe Bryant cards, high-end collector Matt Allen, known as Shyne on social media, disclosed that he recently spent $4 million on Bryant 1-of-1 signed Panini Flawless Logoman cards. This includes one from the 2017-18 season for $1.7 million and another from 2015-16 for $2.3 million, which held the record for a Bryant card until this latest auction.

The timing of this sale is particularly poignant, as it coincided with what would have been Bryant’s 47th birthday. The record-breaking sale not only highlights the immense value of sports collectibles but also underscores the enduring legacy of two of basketball’s greatest icons.