Upper Deck and Michael Jordan Legacy Partnership Details
FACT SHEET
Upper Deck Names Michael Jordan Its First Legacy Partner
Upper Deck has bought back 23 factory-sealed packs of 1986-87 Fleer Basketball. Michael Jordan signed those packs, and they will be inserted as redemptions into 2026 Goodwin Champions, Upper Deck’s annual multi-sport trading card set.
A buyback program is when a collectibles manufacturer buys back product that they previously produced, and re-issues them in a current product, sometimes with a new or unique addition.
One of the 23 autographed packs have a rare, 1-of-1 inscription of ‘Rookie Pack.”
Packs are slabbed in a protective encapsulation that features a barcode where you can see photos of the uncirculated packs to ensure authenticity on re-sale platforms.
Redemption cards will be inserted into all SKUs of 2026 Goodwin Champions trading card product. Redemption codes can be input online at UpperDeck.com and the redeemer will receive one of the 23 autographed packs in the mail.
2026 Goodwin Champions will be available for purchase on July 9 at participating Certified Diamond Dealer hobby shops and July 22 at participating retail stores.
1986-87 Fleer Basketball is an iconic product that featured Michael Jordan’s rookie card and had an elite checklist that featured 11 rookie cards of now Hall-of-Famers, and cards of 31 Hall-of-Famers on the checklist.
Upper Deck is collaborating with eBay to auction a one-of-a-kind slabbed, signed, and inscribed full box of 1986-87 Fleer Basketball.
Michael Jordan signed the box and inscribed it with “Rookie Card Box” to create a true 1-of-1 item.
The “Rookie Card Box” inscription connects the two inscriptions across both programs.
The 1986-87 Fleer Basketball Box is one of 12 Michael Jordan Upper Deck Authenticated items being auctioned on eBay.
10% of proceeds from the auction of all 12 items will be donated to Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
– The auction opens on eBay.com on July 30, 2026 and closes August 9, 2026. The prequalification period opens July 8, 2026.
Upper Deck Authenticated Collection
Additionally, Upper Deck is releasing a limited collection of Upper Deck Authenticated (UDA) Memorabilia that reflects Michael’s careers in both basketball and baseball, featuring imagery and designs never before used in UDA pieces.
“Birth of a Legend” – Chronicling Michael Jordan’s journey to becoming a basketball legend, this piece features eight signature moments and one legendary autograph, resulting in an iconic career captured in a stunning piece of memorabilia.
“Heart of a Champion” – Michael Jordan embraces the Larry O’Brien Trophy for the first time in his career. This print captures the emotion as he finally reached the mountaintop, seven seasons into his professional basketball journey.
“Museum of Excellence” – This piece tells an historic NBA story: six championships, six Finals MVP awards, and a will to not be denied in the biggest moments on the biggest stage. It features a special inscription, “6x Champ,” and classic photo-matched images from each title.
“On the Diamond” – This portrait captures the essence of Michael Jordan the baseball player: wide grin, mirrored shades, and the Upper Deck cap. The photo was taken during All-Star weekend in 1993, after Jordan participated in the ‘Upper Deck Celebrity Home Run Challenge’. It captures a superstar refusing to be defined by any single stage.
Air Jordan 3 Retro OG Fire Red 2022 – Air Jordans transcend the court. They have become cultural symbols, stood the test of time over decades, and become synonymous with style and status. This signed pair of Fire Red 3s is one of the most recognizable colorways of the classic Air Jordan 3 and was first released in 1988, during Jordan’s third NBA season.