Michael Jordan Rookie Cards: What Are They Worth?

Basketballer Michael Jordan is one of the most iconic athletes in history. He was a dominant player in the NBA, and Michael Jordan Rookie Cards are some of the most sought-after cards in the world. In this blog post, we'll take a look at Michael Jordan Rookie Cards and discuss their value and rarity.

Who is Michael Jordan?

Michael Jordan was born in 1963 in Brooklyn, New York, the son of James R. Jordan Sr., an equipment supervisor, and Deloris Peoples Jordan, a bank teller. When he was still a toddler, his family moved to Wilmington, North Carolina, where he would grow up.

As a child, Jordan was shy and uncoordinated, but he loved sports and was determined to improve his skills. He spent hours practicing baseball, football, and basketball, gradually becoming more confident and athletic. In high school, he began to attract attention from college scouts with his stellar performance on the basketball court.

After graduating from high school, he went on to play for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he quickly established himself as one of the best players in the country. In 1984, he was drafted by the Chicago Bulls, and the rest is history. Thanks to his hard work and natural talent, Jordan became one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

Michael Jordan's Career

Michael Jordan is one of the most successful basketball players of all time. He was a part of six NBA championship teams, winning the Finals MVP award six times.

In addition to his on-court success, Jordan is also considered one of the greatest marketing figures in sports history. His endorsement deals with companies like Nike and Gatorade helped him earn millions of dollars, and his image can still be seen on products around the world.

Even today, Jordan remains an important figure in the world of basketball. His career achievements and global brand make him one of the most recognizable athletes in the world.

Baseball Career

When Michael Jordan first announced his retirement from the NBA in 1993, it shocked the basketball world — a player at the top of his game, in the prime of his career, walking away from the sport he loved. Of course, Jordan didn't stay retired for long. He made a comeback to the NBA in 1995 and had even more success with the Chicago Bulls.

However, between his first retirement and his return to the NBA, Jordan took a detour into professional baseball. In 1994, he signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox and spent one season playing for their Double-A affiliate. While Jordan's stint in baseball was brief, it remains one of the most fascinating chapters in his storied career.

It's still unclear why Jordan decided to walk away from the NBA at the height of his powers to pursue a different sport. Some say he was trying to achieve the impossible by following in the footsteps of Babe Ruth. Others believe he was simply looking for a new challenge.

Whatever the case may be, Jordan's foray into professional baseball is an intriguing footnote in his otherwise unparalleled career.

Business Career

In addition to his on-court success, Jordan has also been extremely successful in business. And in recent years, he has continued to add to his business portfolio.

In September 2020, he joined sports-betting firm DraftKings as a special advisor to the board and an investor. And in late 2020, he became a NASCAR team co-owner.

Jordan also owns the Charlotte Hornets, to which he agreed to sell a minority stake in 2019 for $1.5 billion.

Today, Michael Jordan is the wealthiest athlete in the world, thanks to his incredible success on and off the court.

Philosophy and Mindset

Michael Jordan is known for both his astonishing athletic skill and dedication to practice and improvement. In fact, Jordan often credits his success to his commitment to always getting better. For Jordan, success was not a matter of talent or luck — it was the result of hard work and determination. By adopting a growth mindset, he pushed himself to new levels of excellence and became one of the most legendary athletes in history.

Embracing Failure

Michael Jordan is one of the most successful basketball players of all time, but he didn't get there by avoiding failure. In fact, he attributes much of his success to his ability to pick himself up after experiencing setbacks.

As he famously said, "I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I've been trusted to take the game-winning shot...and missed. I've failed over, and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

Jordan understands that failure is an inevitable part of life, and he has used each failure as an opportunity to learn and improve. This mindset is what enabled him to achieve greatness.

Last NBA Game

During Jordan's storied career, he won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls and was named MVP a record five times. Even though he retired from the game on multiple occasions, his final NBA game was played on April 16th, 2003.

On that day, his Washington Wizards faced the Philadelphia 76ers in Philadelphia. Even at the age of 40, Jordan still managed to score 15 points in the game.

Although the Wizards ultimately lost, it was a bittersweet moment for basketball fans around the world. Jordan had cemented his legacy as one of the greatest athletes of all time, and his final game served as a fitting end to an incredible career.

Murder of Jordan's Father

In 1993, James R. Jordan, Sr., the father of NBA legend Michael Jordan, was murdered in North Carolina.

The murder sparked international attention, and the trial became a national media spectacle — but cameras were not permitted in the courtroom.

James R. Jordan, Sr. was shot and killed on July 23, 1993 while he slept in his car at a rest stop in Robeson County, North Carolina. His body was found almost two weeks later in a swamp near Charlotte. 

Authorities said two teenagers, Daniel Green and Larry Demery, confessed to killing Jordan after robbing him at the rest stop. Green and Demery were tried separately, and both were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

However, there are many unanswered questions surrounding Jordan’s death. For example, why did it take authorities 11 days to find Jordan’s body?

In light of all these unanswered questions, it’s no wonder Michael Jordan has said he still doesn’t have closure on his father’s murder. Perhaps someday we will know the whole story, but for now, the case remains shrouded in mystery.

Michael Jordan has only spoken publicly about it a few times.

Michael Jordan Rookie Card Value

Michael Jordan is widely considered to be the greatest basketball player of all time, so it's no surprise that his rookie cards are some of the most valuable in the hobby. Jordan has multiple rookie cards that are highly sought-after by collectors. No matter which card you're interested in, it's important to remember that Jordan rookies are always in high demand, as collectors believe their values will likely continue to rise in the years to come.

What Makes Michael Jordan Rookie Cards So Valuable?

Michael Jordan is considered the greatest basketball player of all time and one of the world's most popular athletes. His rookie cards are some of the most expensive basketball cards money can buy because they're in high demand from collectors.

There are a number of reasons for the market, including the fact that Jordan was an incredible player who led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA Championships.

Additionally, his cards are also valuable because they're relatively rare. Many collectors are willing to pay a high price for a Michael Jordan rookie card because it's considered a valuable investment.

For these reasons, Michael Jordan's cards continue to be some of the most expensive basketball cards on the market.

How Many Michael Jordan Rookie Cards Exist?

Michael Jordan's basketball career started at a time before trading card manufacturers were able to produce multiple rookie cards of the same player. The benefit for collectors and fans is that he has only three basketball rookie cards, which means there aren't as many competitors when it comes down to searching out high-grade examples from this era.

Michael Jordan Rookie Cards

Anyone who collects sports cards knows that a rookie card is the most coveted type. They are often the most valuable cards in a collection and give collectors a chance to own a piece of history. 

1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card

There is no doubt that the 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card is one of the most coveted cards in the hobby. Its desirability is due in large part to the fact that it's MJ's only NBA-licensed, standard-issue rookie card. 

High-grade examples of this card have repeatedly sold for six-figure sums at auction, setting and then re-setting the bar for modern era investment-quality sports cards. A rare autographed version of this card set a new record when it sold at auction house Christie's for $1.008 million in June, 2002. As with any high-value card, counterfeit copies are always circulating in the marketplace, so collectors need to be aware of this potential problem. Whether you're lucky enough to own one or are still searching for that elusive gem, there is no denying that the 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card remains the king of all modern era basketball cards.

1984-85 Star Company Michael Jordan XRC #101 ($18,487.08)

The 1984-1985 Star Michael Jordan #101 card is considered by many to be the true rookie card of NBA legend Michael Jordan because it was issued before Jordan's official rookie card from the 1986-87 Fleer set. 

Officially, it's labeled as Jordan’s "XRC" or extended rookie card. Mint condition copies of this card are quite valuable because they're hard to find, and collectors are willing to pay a premium. The average 2022 price for a graded version of this card is $18,487.08.

1986-87 Fleer Sticker Michael Jordan #8 ($1854.64)

Fleer's 1986-87 sticker card of Michael Jordan is an affordable way to add the NBA legend's rookie card to your collection. The image showcases Jordan's incredible athleticism as he soars through the air towards the basket. The average price for this sticker in mint condition is $56,700. A sticker in slightly worn condition goes for an average price of $614.

What is the Investment Potential for Michael Jordan Rookie Cards?

While the value of Jordan’s rookie cards has fluctuated over the years, they have generally trended upward. 

Other Michael Jordan Collectibles

Signed Air Jordan Low XIIIs, which Jordan wore during the 1998 NBA Finals, recently sold for $378,000. If that's not impressive enough, in 2021, a pair of Nike Air Ships that Jordan wore in his rookie season sold for $1.472 million and broke the record for most expensive footwear worn during a game.

Six of Michael Jordan's most iconic sneakers recently went on public display for the first time in nearly two decades. The sneakers, which are part of the Dynasty Collection™, were worn by Jordan during each of his championship-clinching games. The collection is widely considered the most important group of game-worn sneakers ever assembled.

Certified Sports Guaranty® (CSG®), a leading third-party sports card grading company, authenticated the sneakers for the display at the National Sports Collectors Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey, from July 27-31, 2022.

In September 2022, the "Last Dance" jersey Michael Jordan wore during the opening game of the 1998 NBA Finals sold at auction for a record-breaking $10.1 million. This marks the highest price that a piece of sporting memorabilia has ever sold for at auction and underscores the incredible legacy of the basketball legend.

The fact that this jersey was able to fetch such a high price is a testament to Jordan's enduring popularity and the tremendous respect he commands even 22 years after he retired from the NBA.