In a landmark moment for sports memorabilia, a pristine copy of the November 28, 1983, Sports Illustrated “College Basketball Preview” issue has sold at auction for $229,360, setting a new public record for any graded magazine.
The issue, which marks Michael Jordan’s first-ever appearance on the cover of the iconic magazine alongside his University of North Carolina teammate Sam Perkins, was sold through Goldin Auctions. This sale shatters the previous record for a graded magazine—held by Jordan’s 1984 “A Star is Born†cover—by more than $100,000.
Why It’s So Valuable
Experts point to several factors that drove the astronomical price tag:
- Pristine Grading: The magazine received a 9.6 grade from PSA. Because PSA only began grading magazines last summer, this represents a rare, top-tier specimen.
- The “Newsstand” Advantage: Unlike subscription copies, which often suffer from address labels being affixed to the cover, this newsstand copy remains clean and unblemished.
- Historical Rarity: With a fold-out cover, this particular issue is notoriously difficult to preserve in high grade. Furthermore, it was printed at a time before Jordan’s legendary status was established, meaning few copies were preserved by collectors.
The “Jordan Effect”
The sale underscores Michael Jordan’s continued supremacy in the collectibles world. Whether it is game-worn sneakers, jerseys, or trading cards, Jordan’s items consistently dominate the market. His influence remains so potent that, as of 2025, he remains the most-searched athlete on eBay, and he continues to set records—including the $12.9 million sale of his dual-signed Logoman card with Kobe Bryant last year.
While the record-breaking price is cause for excitement, collectors are cautioned that this valuation is specific to high-grade, newsstand-quality copies. Ungraded versions of the same issue typically command prices ranging from $80 to $355.