Sports Illustrated Blog # 161 on Our Way to 200 – Jordan Has 50+ SI Covers. Here’s What You Might Not Know.
Welcome to my Sports Illustrated/TIME magazine blog – Your collector’s guide to the latest hobby updates and insight into what’s trending now.
With the extreme popularity of Michael Jordan’s SI (and other pub) covers, it might be helpful to publish a detail of just what’s out there and some organizational facts to help in your Jordan SI collective endeavors.
There are 50 recognized Jordan SI covers as well as at least 10 (probably more) Commemorative, Presents, and non-recognized SI covers. For purposes of this blog, I’m only going discuss his 50 recognized appearances.
First, let’s organize things in chronological order starting with the first four, Jordan SI appearances which, in my opinion, are in a class by themselves.
Jordan’s appearance on an SI cover is the NC #1 with Sam Perkins – far and away the most sought after, collectable, scarcest high grade and to date, the highest grossing Jordan SI sale. This issue is the SI basketball issue for 1983 and is thicker than normal and, as a result, it is hard to find a high grade without binding issues. There has not been a 9.8 or 10.0 graded yet.
The next three – Olympics/Star Is Born/One Man Gang – are also elusive in high grade with only five 9.8’s between them ( 1 – Olympics, 4 – Star, – 0 Gang). These first four issues are extremely collectible and increase quickly in value as the grade gets higher.
In case you are looking to acquire one of these four, there are no Walmart markdowns. If you can find a high grade 1983 or 1984 issue for sale (rare find in itself), expect to pay one/two years advance pricing (at the very least) because the value is perceived to increase monthly (if not daily) and no self-respecting seller wants to sell today, only to find the value doubled within a couple of weeks or months. In order to buy one of these, you’ll have to BELIEVE!
The next block in the series 1987 – 1989, six issues.
.
I call this part of the series “Early Jordan”. These issues are, again, extremely difficult in high grade as there are two dates with no top grade (9.8), two with one and two with three each. These infrequently come for sale or public auction and for the none higher grade, expect the bidding to start at $10,000 each.
The next block in the series 1990 – 1994 “The First Championship Years.
In this block there are 17 issues. The fun part of this chase is that these issues are more accessible and more affordable but still very much a part of the scarcity Jordan paradigm. Watch out for “none higher” grades as some POP counts are very low and some are quite high which translates directly into value. POP counts here really matter. “Busting Loose” has a POP of 2 and the SOY has a POP of 33. I’ve seen POP counts seemingly ignored and that might cost you dearly in the long run. Which one would you rather have?
The next block in the series 1995 – present – 21 issues.
We should understand that all high grade Jordan SI issues, even later dates, are in demand. That is not going to change. Collectors want Jordan. And who wants the highest Jordan SI registry? Many. This creates a demand that keeps values increasing.
I think it is safe to say that the Jordan SI series is the most sought after sub-series in modern SI print.
That translates to investment opportunity. Pay the price and smile all the way to the bank.
With every blog, I include my opinion on the facts I have presented – sort of “here’s the facts now here’s what I think”. I think Jordan SI’s (don’t sleep on other Jordan pubs) are the biggest investment opportunity this hobby has seen a very long time. Jordan has a collectible SI series that will entice collectors AND investors alike. Goldin and Heritage auctions will only add to the frenzy as amateur hobbyists will try to cash in on quick profits. As interested parties increase faster than POP counts, prices will increase. Stay the course and you will be rewarded.
Best of Luck.
My Ebay handle is “sportsillustrated9.8” and sportsillustrated98.com on the internet, not to be confused with other similar tags. If you’re interested in one or more of my ebay auctions and you would like to purchase, email me at wylliejohn@yahoo.com to save on taxes, and shipping.
Thanks for your loyal following. My readers always receive “first among equals” pricing/service.
Many thanks for your continued support and patronage.
On the web – Sportsillustrated98.com
