Upper Deck signs Michael Jordan as first legacy partner

Upper Deck has been a staple in the sports card and memorabilia industry for years now. They’ve also been the exclusive company for Michael Jordan in terms of autographs and memorabilia for 35 years now.

On Tuesday, the company announced that not only will the partnership will continue on but Upper Deck has signed Jordan as it’s first-ever legacy partner.

The announcement means that Jordan will continue to be a partner with the company, producing more memorabilia. However, there will be some more to this as the partnership will hopefully help protect Jordan collectors but also get them closer to some of his memorabilia.

The first example of Jordan’s extended partnership includes a new curated line for Upper Deck and it’s something that collectors will be hunting.

Historic Michael Jordan autographed Fleer packs set to be big hit

As part of its new deal with Michael Jordan, Upper Deck has inserted redemptions in its Goodwin Champions product that hits this Thursday.

There are 23 redemptions for Jordan signed 1986 Fleer packs that could contain Jordan’s rookie inside.

No. 12 is signed “Rookie Pack” pic.twitter.com/pCG3GCtn93

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) July 7, 2026

Upper Deck will release it’s annual Goodwin Champions product later this week. The 2026 version will be a one-of-a-kind as they will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Jordan’s Fleer Rookie Card.  The set will feature 23 factory-sealed 1986-87 Fleer Basketball packs signed by Jordan, inserted as redemptions in the product.

Of the 23, there’s a rare 1-of-1 “rookie pack” featuring an inscription. It will certainly be the chase of the bunch.

“There’s 23 of them here, not just one,” Masherah said at a press conference on Tuesday. “So much of what our industry is built around is just having one of everything. We wanted the chance for a lot of people to share in the celebration of Michael’s rookie card anniversary.”

The partnership with Jordan will include more special memorabilia as well. We already got a look at the Space Jam collaboration with Bubba Wallace and 23XI, but Upper Deck will release more authentic signed memorabilia.

For Jordan, continuing the partnership is a no-brainer.

“I’m proud to be Upper Deck’s first Legacy Partner,” Jordan said via On Mantel. “For more than 30 years, this partnership has been about creating something different – cards and memorabilia collectors can’t find anywhere else. I’m looking forward to what comes next”.

With this iconic partnership continuing on, the biggest winners are the fans and the consumers.

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