NBA legend Michael Jordan still tops money list for sports collectibles in 2022
Michael Jordan
NBA legend Michael Jordan tops the list with an average listing of $36,129 for his top 20 sold memorabilia items.
This should come as no surprise given Jordan's cultural impact and highly recognisable brand during the Chicago Bulls' dynasty of the 1990s.
Jordan's highest-selling item is a trading card from the 1997-98 season. With a certificated quality grade of nine, the card fetched an astonishing $95K in February.
Chicago entered the 1997-98 season as the two-time defending champs. By season's end, the Bulls' had clinched their sixth - and third consecutive - NBA title in eight years.
The dominant shooting guard also enjoyed many personal honours that season including his 10th scoring title and fifth NBA MVP award.
He also passed Moses Malone for third place on the NBA's all-time scoring list and Tom Boerwinkle to become the Bull's all-time leading rebounder.
MICHAEL JORDAN 1997-98 FINEST EMBOSSED REFRACTOR #154 70/74 BGS 9 - $95,000
MICHAEL JORDAN 1997-98 FINEST EMBOSSED REFRACTOR #154 70/74 BGS 9 - $95,000
LeBron James
With basketball proving to be the most profitable sport and the NBA's greatest players of all time featuring highly, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is next in line.
With a 96% total sold price contribution from trading cards, the four-time NBA champion's 20 best-selling memorabilia items averaged $23,635.
James' highest selling item is also a trading card. The graded card featuring two pieces of his 2004 Cleveland Cavaliers jersey and an on-card autograph was sold for just under $56k in February.
Off the back of being named the NBA's rookie of the year, James earned his first NBA All-Star game selection and lead the competition for minutes played per game in the 2004–05 season.
2004 SWEET SHOT THREE-POINT AUTO JERSEY LEBRON JAMES /23 BGS 9.5 2ND YEAR POP 3
2004 SWEET SHOT THREE-POINT AUTO JERSEY LEBRON JAMES /23 BGS 9.5 2ND YEAR POP 3 - $56,000
Kobe Bryant
The late Kobe Bryant's legacy with the Los Angeles Lakers lives on as fans continue to give prominence to the NBA great by snapping up memorabilia.
With an average sold price of over $20,442, Bryant's most expensive item is yet another trading card featuring Ja Morant and his autograph.
The "2019-20 Hoops Art Signatures Kobe Bryant Ja Morant Dual PSA/DNA Auto 10 POP 1" sold for around $33,698 in March.
Shaquille O'Neal recently compared Morant to Bryant, saying the third-year guard reminded him of a young Bryant.
2019-20 Hoops Art Signatures Kobe Bryant Ja Morant Dual PSA/DNA Auto 10 POP 1
2019-20 Hoops Art Signatures Kobe Bryant Ja Morant Dual PSA/DNA Auto 10 POP 1 - $33,698
Babe Ruth
Baseball icon Babe Ruth had more diversity in his top-selling types of memorabilia.
Besides trading cards, signed balls contributed 26% to his top 20 collectables.
At the start of the year, a DNA certified, autographed ball sold for $39k.
As Ruth died 74 years ago from cancer, the value of his memorabilia largely varies depending on the condition of the item and the type of authenticity that accompanies any signature.
Lionel Messi
Football great Lionel Messi rounds out the top five with an average sold price of $12,610.
The FC Barcelona legend's highest selling item includes a 2004 rookie card which was purchased for $46,458 in February.
Messi first appeared for Barcelona at 17-years-old in 2004. He played all of his professional football with club until he left in 2021.
Match tickets for the forward's professional career debut in 2003 also caught huge attention in the market, having sold for $13,473.
2004 Panini Megacracks Soccer #71BIS Lionel Messi RC Rookie PSA 9 " PACK FRESH " - $46,458
