A Record-Breaking Week in Sports Collectibles
The sports memorabilia world thrives on scarcity, nostalgia, and cultural impact. This week, it delivered a moment collectors will be talking about for decades: the 2007-08 Upper Deck Exquisite Dual Logoman Autographs card, signed by both Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, sold for an unprecedented $12.932 million at Heritage Auctions. Graded PSA 6, this iconic piece was acquired by a high-profile buyer group that includes Kevin O’Leary, Matt Allen, and Paul Warshaw.
The sale not only cements the card’s place in history but also shatters the previous all-time record held by the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card, which sold for $12.6 million. This milestone highlights the continued surge of demand and investment in rare sports collectibles.
Why This Card Is Unlike Any Other
The card belongs to Upper Deck’s Exquisite Collection, a line that transformed basketball card collecting in the 2000s by introducing premium patch-autograph cards. This particular edition features Logoman patches from both Jordan and Bryant, one-of-a-kind NBA jersey emblems paired with their authentic autographs.
What makes it priceless is its unrepeatable uniqueness:
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One-of-one rarity: No duplicates exist, guaranteeing exclusivity.
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Dual signatures: Two of the greatest players in history, forever linked.
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Emotional resonance: Bryant’s untimely passing has amplified demand for Kobe memorabilia, while Jordan remains a global icon.
Even though it only received a PSA grade of 6 (considered “Excellent-Mint”), its cultural weight overshadowed traditional grading concerns. As Heritage Auctions’ Chris Ivy said, “Another one can’t be created. It’s always been looked at as the holy grail.”
The Bidding War and the Final Price
Pre-auction estimates placed the card at around $6 million, a lofty valuation already. Yet the demand exceeded expectations as 82 bidders drove the final hammer price to $12,932,000.
The winning bid came from a collector group led by:
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Kevin O’Leary, investor and Shark Tank star
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Matt Allen (“Shyne150”), one of the most influential modern card collectors
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Paul Warshaw, real estate entrepreneur
Their victory demonstrates a growing trend: collectibles are no longer just for hobbyists, they’re assets for serious investors.
Breaking Records and Setting New Standards
This sale overtakes the previous sports card record of $12.6 million, held by a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card since 2022.
Ranking Among All-Time Sports Memorabilia:
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🥇 Babe Ruth’s 1932 “Called Shot” Jersey – $24.12M (2023)
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🥈 Jordan–Bryant Dual Logoman Card – $12.93M (2025)
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🥉 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle Rookie – $12.6M (2022)
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🏀 Stephen Curry Rookie Logoman – $5.9M (2021)
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⚾ T206 Honus Wagner Card – $7.25M (2022)
This puts the Jordan–Bryant card at the top of the trading card hierarchy and second only to Ruth’s jersey in the wider sports memorabilia landscape.
The Emotional Element: Kobe’s Legacy
The timing of the sale carried extra meaning; it concluded on August 23, 2025, which would have been Kobe Bryant’s 47th birthday.
For collectors and fans, this emotional layer amplified the sense of historical significance. Kobe’s career, marked by five NBA championships, a 20-year Lakers legacy, and his tragic passing in 2020, has cemented his memorabilia as symbols of both excellence and remembrance.
Owning a piece that unites him with Michael Jordan, the man he modeled much of his game after, is nothing short of iconic.
The Jordan Factor
Michael Jordan’s memorabilia has long dominated the sports collectibles market. From his rookie cards to game-worn sneakers, anything tied to Jordan commands a premium. This dual-signed card stands out because it ties Jordan not just to his own legacy but also to the next great NBA icon in Kobe Bryant, creating an intergenerational collectible.
For investors, this is more than cardboard; it’s a cultural artifact, bridging eras of basketball greatness.
The State of the Sports Card Market
This sale highlights broader trends reshaping the industry:
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Investor Influx: High-net-worth individuals see rare cards as alternative assets, similar to fine art or luxury watches.
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Cultural Currency: Sports cards aren’t just collectibles; they’re status symbols in elite circles.
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Scarcity Over Condition: The PSA 6 grade proved that rarity and emotional connection can outweigh technical condition.
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Auction Houses as Gatekeepers: Heritage Auctions continues to set benchmarks, ensuring authenticity and visibility for record-breaking items.
What’s Next? Future of High-End Collectibles
Experts predict more crossover demand between traditional sports memorabilia (jerseys, bats, balls) and trading cards. With Kobe and Jordan now topping the charts, it wouldn’t be surprising to see:
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LeBron James rookie cards are challenging future records.
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Tiger Woods and Serena Williams memorabilia are gaining ground in cross-sport markets.
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Game-used gear with verified provenance competing alongside cardboard.
The Jordan–Bryant sale may also spark a new wave of investment syndicates, where multiple buyers pool funds to acquire cultural treasures.
FAQs About the Jordan–Bryant Card Sale
1. Why is this card considered the “holy grail”?
Because it’s a 1-of-1 card featuring two of basketball’s greatest players, both with autographs and Logoman patches. No other card like it exists.
2. Who bought the card?
The card was purchased by a group led by Kevin O’Leary, collector Matt Allen, and entrepreneur Paul Warshaw.
3. How does this compare to the Mantle rookie card?
The Mantle card held the record at $12.6M until this sale. The Jordan–Bryant card surpassed it by over $300,000.
4. Why did it sell for so much despite being only a PSA 6?
Collectors prioritized uniqueness and legacy over technical grading, with rarity often outweighing condition.
5. Is this the most expensive sports collectible ever?
Not quite. Babe Ruth’s 1932 “Called Shot” jersey still holds the record at $24.12M.
6. What does this mean for future card sales?
It signals that truly rare, emotionally resonant cards can break beyond the $10M barrier, redefining the market for elite collectibles.
Final Thoughts
This week’s Jordan–Bryant Dual Logoman sale isn’t just a record; it’s a watershed moment in the history of sports collectibles. By uniting two basketball legends on one piece of cardboard, it became more than a card; it became a cultural landmark, a bridge between eras, and a symbol of how sports history can be immortalized.
Whether you’re a collector, investor, or simply a fan of the game, this sale proves one thing: the stories behind the cards are just as valuable as the cards themselves.
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