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Fanatics and Sotheby’s have concluded their second collaborative auction, raking in over $2 million in sales across just 11 cards. The centerpiece of the event was a Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman Triple Logoman card, which sold for an impressive $600,000.

Dubbed the “Exquisite | Capsule Collection,” the auction spotlighted premium Upper Deck Exquisite cards, with highlights including a LeBron James 2003 Rookie Patch Autograph, a Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Kobe Bryant Dual Logoman Autograph, and a Magic Johnson and Larry Bird Dual Logoman Patch Autograph.

Much of the attention centered around iconic players LeBron James and Michael Jordan, who were featured prominently across the collection.

This auction follows the success of their previous collaboration, “Holy Grails,” which showcased some of the most iconic cards in sports history. During that auction, a LeBron James Exquisite card fetched $432,000. In the latest event, another version of the same card reached $456,000—showing strong demand, though reflecting the changing dynamics of the sports card market.

Just a few years ago, the same LeBron James card sold for over $900,000, with similar versions peaking at prices over $2 million in 2022.

The Upper Deck Exquisite brand has gained legendary status in the sports card world, despite its relatively recent introduction. Rookie patch autographs, popularized by Exquisite, have since become the pinnacle for high-end collectors. Today, products like Panini’s National Treasures are among the most coveted items in the hobby.

These premium products owe much to Karvin Cheung, the visionary behind Upper Deck’s Exquisite line in the early 2000s. Cheung’s innovations set the stage for modern high-end sports cards, which now combine rarity with artistic appeal.

Fanatics has been vocal about its ambition to expand the sports card hobby exponentially. Auctions like the “Exquisite | Capsule Collection” are part of that vision, aiming to elevate sports cards from collectibles to art. By partnering with Sotheby’s, they are sending a message that sports cards don’t just belong in collectors’ closets—they deserve a place in art galleries and high-profile auctions.