The power of ESPN on Card Values: 1988 Topps Bo Jackson

ClockworkAngel

The most watched ESPN 30 for 30 by far was "You don't know Bo" attracting over 3 million viewers when it debuted in December, 2012

Now, let's take a look at Bo Jackson's 1988 Topps Bo Jackson PSA 10 card values:

The card averaged about $60 per card in sales from Sept 1, 2012 through November 2012

You don't know Bo airs. It has been at at least $100 since and has slowly increased to sales in the 200's and as high as $286. But you cannot buy this card for less than $200 now

MrNearMint

I noticed the prices increasing but didn't really think about why. It's a good thing I got mine before the explosion of his card!

ThoseBackPages

Hows the 87T doing?

ReggieCleveland

I'd like to know more about the Sept-Nov 2012 window. In fact, I'd like to see much more pre-doc data. How many were sold? Were there any outliers?

eagles33

How about the 86 Tiffany? That and the 88 football are my favorite Bo cards

RynoandBo

As a long time collector of Bo, I have watched this increase. 4SC is printing money with the PSA 10 1986 Topps at $50 -$60 a pop. The 1988 Topps FB RC has just soared. The 1987 Donruss Rookies is over $100 on a regular basis. The power of TV.

ClockworkAngel

<< <i>I'd like to know more about the Sept-Nov 2012 window. In fact, I'd like to see much more pre-doc data. How many were sold? Were there any outliers? >>



An even bigger window is July 1st through November 30th

There were a total of 30 PSA 10 Bo Jackson sold in the 88T FB. Those 30 cards averaged right around $60 each, with lows as low as $35 and high as $95.

After it aired, there have been 19 sold and they have averaged $171 each. I know all cards have been skyrocketing the last 8 months but not triple price. And the immediate sharp increase occurred right when it aired.

And in case you're wondering, yes I am having a slow day today!

olb31

It looks like a lot of the "dead era" cards are starting to go up, probably because the new people getting into the hobby are around 40 years old or so and these are the players that resonate with them. Bonds is holding his own/ going up, Clemens, Mcgwire. Look out if one makes the HALL.

Dpeck100

I think there is a corelation like you are suggesting.

Personally I was blown away with Bo's story. Even though I collected his cards in my youth I was not aware of the details of his college career and just how much fan fare there truly was for him.

Bo is by far one of the most gifted athletes ever and for this his cards should have value. His stats will never warrent Hall of Fame consideration but no one can deny what a true athletic specimen he was. I had tears in my eyes watching the show and seeing someone with so much potential have it taken in an instant.

I had shown some interest in the Topps Traded Tiffany card in the past but watching the special recently is what pushed me forward once more to search for a strong example.

The special educated the public to a greater extent how special Bo was and what a nice guy he appears to be.

There have not been many sales of the Topps Traded Tiffany of late and I used to see them pop up for $250 on EBAY but those days are gone. A board member sold the copy that Dmitri Young owned for $799 a few months back and while I don't think they will routinely command that I do think the card is heading to $500 for sure.

Dboneesq

<< <i>There have not been many sales of the Topps Traded Tiffany of late and I used to see them pop up for $250 on EBAY but those days are gone. A board member sold the copy that Dmitri Young owned for $799 a few months back and while I don't think they will routinely command that I do think the card is heading to $500 for sure. >>


And here is what Dmitri sold it for in May 2012:
1986 TOPPS TRADED TIFFANY #50T BO JACKSON PSA 10 (1/20) $361.20

ReggieCleveland

I'm guessing that what we're seeing now is a temporary bubble due to the documentary.

There have been 1,562 cards graded by PSA and 234 of them have gotten a PSA 10. That's 15% and nowhere near suggesting that the card is particularly condition sensitive. While 1988 Topps football has less of a production run than its baseball counterpart, unopened wax boxes can still be had on ebay all day long for $30-40 delivered, with many examples less than that. So we're talking about a card that is not remotely close to being difficult to find, that doesn't appear to be condition sensitive, from a mass produced issue that still has a great deal of inexpensive unopened left out there that hasn't been ripped.

With less than a good chance to make either Hall of Fame, and barring many more widely-viewed well-produced documentaries set to be released over and over, I think we're looking at a temporary uptick in the demand for the card.

hyperchipper09

In 1989 and 1990, Bo was the best running back in the NFL even in partial seasons. Only thing he lacked to be the perfect RB was better receiving skills.
That's coming from an Alabama fan since 1982. So I saw a lot Bo. At times too much

MiniDuff

Bo always had a larger than life aura about him as an athlete and I think people forgot that or never knew and the special reminded them.

It may be a bubble, but it has serious legs. All of his cards have been very strong for months and in cases, getting stronger. Part of it is an uptick in the era itself. I'm seeing a lot more Bonds cards sold lately too, not for any money, but not too long ago you couldn't give them away. IMO Biogenesis helps that era because we cant stick out head in the sand and think it was a 5-10 blip anymore. Its more like 25-30 and we need to relook at how we see things historically. All time numbers are moot for these folks, but I think we will eventually compare them to each other and in that context, Bo stands out for a short time.

BPorter26

I kick myself for selling my 1988 Topps Football cello pack that had Bo on the top and bottom PSA 10 for $100 last year. I would think that would go for at least $500 today.

Ironmanfan

If only ESPN did a special on Tom Bolton

IMF

RynoandBo

I am 38 years old. Bo Jackson pretty much blew up the baseball world for me in the summer of 1989. It was the summer before high school started.

We did not have cable growing up. The highlight every summer for me was watching the all-star game. I believe it was on NBC or ABC....iit was just so cool to see stars all together. I watched the Cubs on Channel 9 WGN in Chicago daily, but not much exposure to the AL. Well that 89 AS Game opened my eyes to Bo, and I was an instant fan. I searched all my baseball cards and found the Bo's. I had his Nike cross trainer shoes for Christmas later that year, life was good.

zurbs17

<< <i>If only ESPN did a special on Tom Bolton

IMF >>



Or Marcus Dupree...wait a minute

sportscardtheory

With only 234 of these out there in PSA Gem Mint grade, it's just an issue of supply and demand. Far more than 234 people in the world want one of these in the best possible grade from the most reputable grading company.

jacksoncoupage

<< <i>

<< <i>If only ESPN did a special on Tom Bolton

IMF >>



Or Marcus Dupree...wait a minute >>



His 1990 Pro Set Final Update cards ($0.10 card) were selling for $9.99+ buy-it-nows shortly after that episode.

Piggs

My heart sinks every time I see the video of his injury.

elsnorto

<< <i>I'm guessing that what we're seeing now is a temporary bubble due to the documentary. >>



Agreed. I sold the two I had bought a while back when I saw them going for over $100USD with the intention of buying one back when things cool off. That said, this bubble has lasted far longer than I expected... so who knows?



<< <i>My heart sinks every time I see the video of his injury. >>



He was an absolute beast and there is no telling how far his football career could have gone had he focused on the NFL alone and stayed healthy. Definitely one of the greatest "what if?" stories in sports.

What always amazed me is how humble he was despite all his success and what it brought.

Snorto~

cardbender

<< <i>In 1989 and 1990, Bo was the best running back in the NFL even in partial seasons. Only thing he lacked to be the perfect RB was better receiving skills.
That's coming from an Alabama fan since 1982. So I saw a lot Bo. At times too much >>



I think Barry Sanders might have been a little better those two years.

No doubt Bo was a beast though. It's too bad he didn't just stick to Football. Plus he had another HOF running
back in front of him in Marcus Allen, who was no slouch himself. Tough to be the best when you have
to split carries with another all-time great.

What always comes to my mind when I think of Bo Jackson are his long TD runs.
He played only four years but in three of those years he had the longest runs in the league.
Plus him running over Brian Bosworth was priceless.

TheCARDKid

Call me a contrarian but I'm bullish on the card long term.

Bo was GIGANTIC in 1989, 1990. He was one of the most popular covers on Beckett. Remember when people bought individual Becketts for above list price? In the back, they use to list back issues. I think some of the first to sell out were the ones with Bo.

The 1990 score black and white card was HUGE. Even though it's mass produced, I don't think that card will ever "die". Bo was a sensation when the media world (and sports) was a lot smaller.

The people that were fans then still have a lot of earning $$$ years ahead of them. They are far from their peak. The card isn't condition sensitive, but I don't think it takes that. The 89 Upper Deck Griffey has been popular for years. There are 1,900 10's (out of 57,000 graded). Still $250-300 card. It would probably be higher if there wasn't so much skepticism towards homerun/power hitters (i.e. bonds, mcgwire, sosa, now arod).

Many cards that kids saw in display cases from 1985-1990 have gone up a lot (i.e. Dale Murphy 77 rookie PSA 10, Mattingly 84 Donruss).

GB5HOF

I thank ESPN everyday for making worthless Tebow cards extremely profitable.

itzagoner

<< <i>Plus he had another HOF running
back in front of him in Marcus Allen, who was no slouch himself. Tough to be the best when you have
to split carries with another all-time great. >>



this comment would have slid right by me, except i recently watched a piece ESPN did with Marcus and it was both memorable and sad, that there was no splitting carries once Bo joined the Raiders.

it was all him. Al Davis tried to bury Marcus Allen, and all Marcus did was block, block, block for Bo as long as he could tolerate it and then revive his career in K.C.

Marcus Allen might not be in the Hall Of Fame were it not for this experience. he could have just walked away. Al Davis wanted as much.

3BoyzTrading

Bo rocks and ESPN will have a story 20 years from now about Tim Tebow and how he lead the Patriots to a SB when Brady was knocked out with a concussion.

Rudedawg

As for the OP, that is just ridiculous for a price on that card. I'm glad to see him get the attention, as he DID dominate the sports entertainment world for about 3 years. I sold my Bo collection a year ago and might go have a few shots after seeing the current going rates on PSA cards. As for long term, hard to tell.

MiniDuff

Someone picked up my psa 10 88 fb today fro $250 on ebay. Thank you if the buyer was from here. Either way, still strength in the card, too bad it was my only one at the moment :-)