Two of the most prominent figures in modern sports, Shohei Ohtani and LeBron James, have seen their value extend significantly into the collectibles market, with their rare rookie cards commanding multi-million dollar sums at a recent Goldin Auctions event. The auction saw James' 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection rookie patch autograph card sell for $2.93 million, setting a new public auction record for the NBA star.
This particular card, numbered 9 of 23, is considered one of the most sought-after modern basketball cards. While private sales may have reached higher figures, this public auction result underscores its immense desirability.
Shohei Ohtani's 2018 Topps Chrome SuperFractor rookie card also achieved a remarkable sale, bringing in $2.56 million including buyer's premium. This card, graded 9.5 out of 10, is unique as it is the only one of its kind produced. It now holds the record for the highest public sale price for any Ohtani rookie card.
The surge in value for this Ohtani card is particularly notable. It last sold in 2022 for $139,200, indicating a price increase of over $2.4 million in just two years. Although this SuperFractor did not surpass the $3 million sale of another one-of-one Ohtani card in December, it is believed to be the first publicly known Ohtani card without an autograph or game-used patch to exceed $1 million.
These sales represent significant milestones, not just for the individual athletes but for the broader sports memorabilia market. For collectors, James and Ohtani are increasingly seen as blue-chip assets within a market that continues to set records for historically significant items.