Michael Jordan Rookie Card Sets New Record with $2.7 Million Sale
A signed 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card has shattered records, fetching an astonishing $2.7 million in a private sale through Goldin Auctions. This sale marks the highest price ever paid for a card with an “aftermarket” signature, highlighting the enduring value of Jordan’s legacy in the sports collectibles market.
“Aftermarket” signed cards are those autographed outside the chain of card production. Unlike standard signed cards, which may feature direct signatures on the card’s surface or on hologram stickers, aftermarket cards are typically autographed in private settings. The 1986 Fleer card in question was one of just nine signed by Jordan during a private signing event in 2024.
Goldin Auctions founder and CEO Ken Goldin confirmed that this particular card, graded a PSA Mint 9 with a 10 autograph grade, was signed “in private with witnesses.” This adds to its exclusivity, as Jordan’s long-standing deal with Upper Deck has made signed rookie cards exceedingly rare. Prior to this signing, only 23 signed cards were available from a promotional buyback in 2006.
The sale further underscores the increasing interest in sports memorabilia, particularly items associated with iconic athletes. Earlier this year, another card from the same signing sold for $2.5 million at Joopiter, the auction house owned by Pharrell Williams. Goldin clarified that the $2.7 million card is not a resale of the earlier sale but a distinct item that has cemented its place in collectible history.
“Signed rookie cards of greatest-of-all-time athletes, like Michael Jordan, represent the pinnacle of sports collectibles,” Goldin stated. “This record-breaking sale is a testament not only to Jordan’s enduring legacy but also to the recognition of aftermarket-signed cards.”
