Sporting the first NBA cover appearance of one of basketball’s most iconic players, another high-grade Sports Illustrated that is certified by CGC® just realized six figures. The Goldin Auctions sale concluded on October 3, 2026.
Featuring the first appearance by Michael Jordan on the cover of the magazine as an NBA star, a Sports Illustrated v61 #26 December 10, 1984, graded CGC 9.6 realized $159,210.
This is hot on the heels of the CGC 9.8 example that realized a record-setting $378,200, also through Goldin, in September. Both sales dunked over the previous record of $126,000 set by a CGC 9.8 copy sold in August 2023.
As one of the earliest collectibles of Jordan's legendary NBA career, this Sports Illustrated issue was appropriately titled "A Star Is Born" and featured an image of the shooting guard in the middle of an acrobatic layup against the Milwaukee Bucks only a few months after he entered the league. Jordan quickly became the focal point of the Bulls' offense, took the NBA by storm, and went on to win Rookie of the Year. Although Jordan first graced the cover of Sports Illustrated alongside Sam Perkins while attending the University of North Carolina, this was the first issue showing "His Airness" in a Chicago Bulls uniform.
Jordan would go on to become arguably the greatest basketball player ever and one of the most recognizable figures in all of sports. Between his accomplishments on the hardwood and his signature sneaker line off of it, No. 23 became one of the first global NBA superstars. Jordan led Chicago to six NBA championships, earned six Finals MVPs, five league MVPs, 14 All-Star selections and three All-Star Game MVPs during his astounding career. Among numerous post-retirement honors, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009 and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016.
About CGC
Since revolutionizing comic book grading in 2000, CGC has grown to include certification services for a vast variety of pop culture collectibles, including trading card games (TCGs), sports cards, magazines, video games, and home media. CGC also offers seamless solutions for autograph collectors with CGC Signature Series and JSA Authentic Autograph services. If you collect it, we grade and protect it.
CGC is part of the Certified Collectibles Group, a global provider of expert and impartial authentication and grading services for collectibles. Since 1987, the Certified Collectibles Group companies have certified more than 110 million collectibles, including coins, banknotes, comic books, cards, autographs, and stamps.