Kevin O’Leary is known as one of the fiercest Sharks on the Shark Tank show. He is brutally honest and never afraid to be critical. Given Kevin’s persona, it’s easy to assume he treats his own money with the exact iron grip he displays on the show. A recent headline, though, suggests otherwise. Kevin revealed himself as one of three buyers behind the most expensive sports card sale.
Kevin O’Leary’s $12.9M Sports Card Deal
Here’s a quick overview of Kevin O’Leary’s record-breaking $12.9 million sports card purchase.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Purchase Price | $12.9 million |
| Card Details | Upper Deck’s 2007–08 Exquisite Collection features jersey patches and autographs from Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. |
| Record Broken | Most expensive sports card ever sold |
| Partners Involved | Kevin O’Leary, Matt “Shyne” Allen, Paul Warshaw |
| Rank in Sports Memorabilia Sales | Second most valuable sports memorabilia item ever sold |
The Most Expensive Sports Card Ever Sold
Kevin O’Leary has taken his deal-making instincts beyond the Tank and into the world of collectibles. Mr. Wonderful and his partners, Matt Allen and Paul Warshaw, spent $12.9 million to acquire a one-of-a-kind sports card.
This splurge from them has made this card the most expensive one ever sold. It broke the previous record set in 2022, held by a rare 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card.
The 2007-08 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual Logoman card features both a jersey patch and the signatures of Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan.
It is an uncanny purchase for Mr. Wonderful, as he usually projects a no-nonsense, money-guarding image. Beyond the card’s cultural value, the rarity makes it a unique asset. For investors like O’Leary, this scarcity is what makes the card not just memorabilia, but an appreciating financial instrument.
This type of high-end alternative investment continues to attract serious capital from wealthy collectors and business leaders alike. Or maybe it was just his childhood dream to own one, who knows?
Cultural Impact and Record Value
The card includes jersey patches with unique NBA logos tied to each player. Kobe Bryant’s section carries the classic red, white, and blue emblem.
Michael Jordan’s side flaunts a gold-and-white version used during the 1996-97 season, the league’s 50th anniversary.
This Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan collectible now sits just behind Babe Ruth’s famed “The Shot” jersey, which commanded about $24 million in 2024. In other words, this card is the second most valuable sports item EVER sold.
Mr. Wonderful’s Acquisition Plan
Kevin O’Leary shared that he teamed up with Matt “Shyne” Allen and Paul Warshaw, combining resources to acquire the card as a group rather than driving up the price through a bidding fight.
Sports cards weren’t always on his radar. It was only after Paul Warshaw introduced him to the market three years ago that he started recognizing how rare, high-end pieces could carry the same weight as any other influential memorabilia and work of art.
He clarified his strategy, saying, “We formed a syndicate so we didn’t have to compete with each other. Matt Allen and Paul Warshaw, both legends in ‘The Hobby.’
Shyne is the nickname of Matt Allen. He was the one that did the research. We bought it together. Yes, we did. And I’m very proud to own it.”
Kevin further commented on his card collecting experience, “I don’t see it any differently than any of those other asset classes. However, it’s a lot more fun. The people I’m meeting in the hobby are truly crazy.”
He further added on the matter, “It’s no different than collectible watches, in some way. It’s so rare that the prices continue to appreciate, and they seem to defy recessions.”
Kevin’s Teammates For This Deal
Matt Allen is a well-known name in the sports card world. His collection ranks among the most valuable anywhere. He once put a part of his collection on display at Fanatics Fest in 2024, which was worth $70 million.
Paul Warshaw balances his role as COO of Bottom Line Concepts consulting firm with an active presence in the card-collecting community.
This investing genre is called syndicate investing, wherein investors join forces to acquire unparalleled, high-value pieces that might be unattainable individually. By splitting the cost, each member takes on less financial risk while still owning a share of a unique asset.
This approach gives wealthy investors access to exclusive opportunities. It also spreads exposure across the group, turning passion-driven buys like sports cards or art into smarter, more strategic investments.
The Sports Memorabilia Market
The sports memorabilia market was worth about $38.6 billion in 2024 and is on track to hit roughly $71 billion by 2030. This equals a strong compound annual growth rate of 12.1%.
