A rare basketball card jointly signed by NBA legends Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant has sold for a record-breaking $12.9 million (£9.56m), making it the most expensive sports trading card in history.
The 2007-08 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual Logoman Autographs Jordan & Bryant card went under the hammer at Heritage Auctions in the United States, attracting a flurry of global interest before eventually being purchased by an anonymous bidder.
The extraordinary sale has eclipsed the previous card record, held by a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card, which fetched $12.6m (£10.8 million) at auction in August 2022. While Mantle’s iconic baseball card retains cultural significance, the unique nature of the Jordan-Bryant collectable ensured it claimed the top spot in the trading card market.
Heritage Auctions revealed that the Jordan-Bryant card had been privately held for more than a decade before entering the public auction. Initially expected to sell for at least $6m (£4.4m), the bidding quickly escalated as collectors recognised the rarity and prestige of the piece. A total of 82 bids were recorded, more than doubling its pre-auction valuation.
Chris Ivy, director of sports auctions at Heritage, described the card as “the pinnacle for modern card collectors.” Speaking to ESPN, he explained: “Another one can’t be created. It has always been considered a holy grail by modern basketball enthusiasts. The pre-auction estimate was $6m-plus. So sometimes if a piece is unique like this, it’s really beneficial to let it have its day.”
Although the $12.9 million winning bid shattered card records, the Jordan-Bryant collectable ranks second on the all-time list of most expensive sports memorabilia. The most valuable remains Babe Ruth’s “called shot” jersey, worn during the 1932 World Series, which sold for $24.12m (£18.1m) in August 2024.
The dual autograph card carries enormous symbolic value. Michael Jordan, widely regarded as the greatest player in NBA history, won six championships with the Chicago Bulls between 1991 and 1998. His dominance helped transform basketball into a global sport and cemented the NBA as a premier international brand.
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant, who tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in 2020, remains an enduring icon of determination and excellence. Over a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, Bryant won five championships and inspired countless fans with his relentless “Mamba Mentality.” His signature alongside Jordan’s makes the card uniquely powerful, bridging two generations of basketball greatness.
The surge in high-value sports memorabilia reflects a broader trend in alternative investments. Wealthy collectors are increasingly drawn to rare, one-of-a-kind items that hold both cultural and financial value. Trading cards, once viewed as a niche hobby, have emerged as blue-chip assets commanding multimillion-dollar sums.
For basketball enthusiasts, however, the record-breaking sale represents more than financial speculation. The card is a tangible connection to two players who defined eras, transcended the sport, and left legacies that continue to shape the NBA.
“Cards like this remind us why collecting is so meaningful,” Ivy added. “It’s not just about ownership—it’s about preserving history. When you look at a piece like the Jordan-Bryant card, you’re looking at two of the greatest players ever, together on one card. It’s irreplaceable.”
As the market continues to grow, analysts predict that rare basketball cards could soon rival baseball in both cultural and financial importance. With stars like Jordan and Bryant continuing to inspire new generations, their collectables are expected to remain at the heart of the industry.
For now, the Jordan-Bryant Dual Logoman card stands as the ultimate symbol of modern basketball collecting: a fusion of artistry, rarity, and legendary greatness that has rewritten the record books.
