Michael Jordan
NBA Hall of Fame Shooting Guard and 6-time NBA Champion · Basketball - NBA
Chicago Bulls / Washington Wizards
Era
Modern Era - Post-retirement (circa 2005-present)
Item Type
Basketball
Condition
Excellent; the silver ink is vibrant and exhibits good adhesion to the pebbled surface with no visible fading or smudging.
Rarity
Common for the signer, as Jordan has signed many items for Upper Deck, but highly desirable given his status.
Overall Assessment
A high-quality, desirable piece of sports history. Its value is anchored by the silver ink's visual appeal and the presumed Upper Deck authentication.
Authenticity Assessment
Likely authentic; signature characteristics align with Jordan's modern, abbreviated signing style. Confidence level: High, assuming the UDA/UAS sticker is verified.
Signature Style
Abbreviated 'M J' style, featuring the large looping 'M' and stylized 'J' with a trailing horizontal stroke typical of his rapid-signing habits.
Signature Characteristics
Fluid motion with high pen speed; the first 'M' peak is taller than the second; trailing horizontal line shows natural tapering.
Ink & Medium
Silver paint pen on a synthetic or composite leather basketball
Item Description
Wilson or Spalding composite basketball featuring a debossed Jumpman logo, signed on the front panel.
Estimated Value
$3,500 - $6,500 USD (dependent on official UDA certification and ball type)
Comparison to Known Examples
Matches Upper Deck Authenticated 'short-form' signatures produced during his late-career and retirement signing sessions.
Authentication Tips
Look for the sharp, fluid 'peaks' in the M and the specific way the J loops into the final horizontal dash without hesitation marks.
Certification Recommendation
Upper Deck Authenticated (UDA) is the gold standard for Jordan; PSA/DNA or Beckett are secondary options.
Red Flags
Check the CoA database to ensure the hologram (UAS 07997) matches the item; look for 'slow' ink pooling which indicates forgery.
Provenance Notes
The UAS hologram suggests this came from an Upper Deck signing session; verify the number on the Upper Deck website.
Historical Context
Jordan is widely considered the greatest basketball player of all time, making his signature the 'monetary standard' of the hobby.
Market Trends
Jordan memorabilia remains the most stable and appreciating asset in sports collecting, currently in a strong bull market phase.
Investment Potential
Excellent; historical data shows consistent long-term appreciation for authenticated Jordan-signed equipment.
Similar Autographs
Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Magic Johnson autographed basketballs.
Display & Preservation
Store in a UV-protected acrylic case; avoid high humidity to prevent the composite leather from becoming 'tacky'.
Interesting Facts
Jordan has an exclusive signing contract with Upper Deck, making any authentic modern signature without their hologram highly scrutinized.