The sports collectibles world witnessed history this weekend when a one-of-a-kind basketball card featuring two of the game’s greatest icons Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan crossed the auction block and shattered records. Heritage Auctions’ Summer Platinum Night Sports Auction, held August 23–24, featured this ultra-rare piece: a 1-of-1 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection card, showcasing not just the signatures of Bryant and Jordan but also pieces of game-used jersey logo patches. The result? An astounding $12.932 million sale, the highest price ever paid for a sports trading card.
A Card Unlike Any Other
What makes this card so special? For starters, it’s the only known card of its kind, pairing the autographs of the late Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and Chicago Bulls superstar Michael Jordan. Collectors have long sought rare memorabilia connecting these two titans of the game, but nothing like this had ever come to market. As Heritage Auctions’ Director of Sports Auctions, Chris Ivy, put it, “This incredible world record price reflects two things: first, that this is the finest modern basketball card in the world; and second, that Heritage Auctions provides the best platform to achieve world-class results for rare collectibles.”
The significance of this moment cannot be overstated. Both players are cultural icons who transcended basketball, and their impact on the sport is immeasurable. Pairing their signatures and memorabilia on a single card instantly elevated its status to “holy grail” territory.
Bidding War Pushes Price to New Heights
When the card went live for bidding, expectations were already sky-high. Experts estimated it could exceed $6 million, but strong interest pushed the price nearly double that figure. After 82 bids, the final hammer fell at $12.932 million, eclipsing the previous record set by a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle No. 311 card graded SGC Mint+ 9.5, which Heritage sold for $12.6 million back in 2022.
The enthusiasm highlights the strength of today’s sports memorabilia market, where unique items featuring generational athletes continue to drive exceptional prices.
Other Highlights of the Auction
While the Jordan-Bryant card was the crown jewel, it wasn’t the only headline-grabber. Several other pieces also brought in remarkable sums:
A 1960 Mickey Mantle game-worn and signed Yankees jersey sold for $5.246 million, a world record for a Mantle jersey.
A signed 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card fetched $1.0675 million, the highest ever for a signed version of that iconic card.
Even ticket stubs were in demand, with a 1984 Michael Jordan NBA debut Bulls ticket selling for $280,600, setting a record for a Jordan ticket stub.
These results underscore the diversity of collectors’ interests and the explosive growth in demand for sports history artifacts.
Why This Sale Matters
This record-setting sale speaks to more than just dollars. It’s about nostalgia, rarity, and the deep cultural impact of legends like Kobe and Jordan. For many fans, owning a piece of history especially something that can’t be replicated – is priceless. And with the auction coinciding closely with what would have been Kobe Bryant’s 47th birthday, the emotional weight likely added to the fervor.
Heritage Auctions’ latest event has proven that the market for elite sports collectibles is not just strong but thriving. In a single weekend, multiple records were broken, reaffirming the power of sports memorabilia to captivate fans and investors alike. Whether you’re a lifelong collector or a casual observer, this sale stands as a reminder that in the world of sports history, true rarity knows no limits and when it involves legends like Jordan and Bryant, the sky’s the limit.