Fanatics and Sotheby’s recently concluded their second joint auction, raking in an impressive $2 million from the sale of only 11 sports cards. The star of the show was a remarkable Triple Logoman card featuring Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman, which fetched an outstanding $600,000.
Dubbed the “Exquisite | Capsule Collection,” the auction exclusively showcased top-tier cards from Upper Deck’s prestigious Exquisite series. Among the highlights were a 2003 Rookie Patch Autograph of LeBron James, a Dual Logoman Autograph card featuring Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Kobe Bryant, and a Patch Autograph card with Dual Logoman patches of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
The auction remained focused on basketball legends, particularly those from the NBA, with a strong emphasis on Michael Jordan and LeBron James. This spotlight underscored the enduring appeal of iconic sports figures in the ever-evolving sports card market.
This latest event comes on the heels of the successful inaugural collaboration between Fanatics and Sotheby’s with “Holy Grails,” where a LeBron James Exquisite card commanded $432,000. Notably, in the recent auction, a different version of the same card reached $456,000, showcasing the sustained value of premium sports cards while reflecting market adjustments. A few years back, the identical card sold for over $900,000, with similar versions fetching over $2 million in 2022.
The Exquisite line from Upper Deck revolutionized the sports card industry by introducing rookie patch autographs, which have become a staple for discerning collectors seeking high-end merchandise. Products like Panini’s National Treasures owe much of their popularity to the innovative approach of Exquisite, spearheaded by Karvin Cheung in the early 2000s.
Fanatics remains committed to elevating the status of sports card collecting to new heights. Through strategic partnerships with Sotheby’s for high-profile auctions, they aim to position sports cards as cultural treasures deserving of display in art galleries and elite sales events. This forward-thinking strategy seeks to reshape the public perception of sports cards, showcasing them as valuable collectibles and art pieces in their own right.
