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A guide to collecting the best Michael Jordan cards
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The Jordan 'brand' on trading cards

Did you know Michael Jordan cards were not allowed to feature photos of him with his tongue out by the early 90's? This likely led to an interesting piece released by Upper Deck in 2009.
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If you’re well familiar with the 86 Fleer #57 Michael Jordan rookie card you’ll likely be well aware that there are plenty of authorised reprints. When I say reprints in this context I mean authentic and properly licensed commemorative re-releases and not counterfeit cards.

Official Jordan rookie reprint cards like the 96-97 Fleer Decade of Excellence, the gold bordered 96-97 Ultra Decade of Excellence and the 07-08 Fleer UNC Floor card among others make nice additions to capture some of the feel on the world’s most recognisable basketball card without the high cost of owning an authentic 86 Fleer #57.

Each in their own way, these cards all slightly differentiate from the original. It could be a modern Fleer logo, a gold stamp, a gold border, a piece of game used memorabilia or a different reverse.

There is one reprint, however, that differentiates in a subtle way which often causes me a double take if I see it: the 09-10 Upper Deck Legacy Collection Gold #97. I was reminded recently of this card after a conversation for an upcoming article where we discussed that MJ’s signature tongue-out moves were not allowed to be featured on trading cards. James Jordan’s concentration habit became so iconic of Michael Jordan that those photos have been reserved for his personal brand endorsed items only.

We know that - as of sometime in the early 90’s - trading card companies were contractually obliged to ensure no trading card featured a photo of Michael Jordan with his tongue out. Being a recognisable part of the Jordan brand made it off limits to trading cards - even Upper Deck. The most recent source of confirmation of this understanding I could find was exalted 90’s cards designer Jean MacLeod when she briefly mentioned it on the Cardboard Chronicles podcast.

As far as I’m aware all #57 Fleer reprints by Upper Deck featured the original, unaltered photo of Jordan (shot by Noren Trotman at Bulls V Nets either Dec 14 84 or April 13 85). However, for whatever reason - perhaps a contract re-negotiation - by 2009’s release Upper Deck were actively removing MJ’s tongue.

Take a look here for side-by-side close-ups of the 86 Fleer #57 and altered 09-10 UD Jordan Legacy Gold #97.

The Jordan 86-87 Fleer #57 RC and 09-10 UD Jordan Legacy Gold #97
The Jordan 86-87 Fleer #57 RC and 09-10 UD Jordan Legacy Gold #97
86-87 Fleer Michael Jordan Rookie Card
86-87 Fleer Michael Jordan Rookie Card
The most recognisable trading card of all time.
09-10 Michael Jordan Legacy Gold rookie card reprint
09-10 Michael Jordan Legacy Gold rookie card reprint
MJ's tongue is removed from the photo used on this 2009-10 Legacy Gold rookie card reprint release.

I do think Upper Deck removed MJ’s tongue from at least one other photo in the 2009 Legacy Gold release. Card #98 as shown below doesn’t look quite right and given its a classic MJ power push toward the rim could very well have originally included that look of concentration.

09-10 Michael Jordan Legacy Gold #98
09-10 Michael Jordan Legacy Gold #98
Has MJ's tongue been removed from the photo used on this 2009-10 Legacy Gold #98 card?

So, what about cards made before this rule came into play?

Michael Jordan cards where Jordan is shown with his tongue out

I thought it might be interesting to take a look back to the early days of Jordan cards and compile a list of cards featuring this iconic Jordan brand move - there aren’t many and they all pre-date the early 90’s with only four which could be considered mainstream releases. In fact, even the most recent on the list was a prototype and never meant for public distribution.

If there’s more you’re aware of please do write in and I’ll add them to the list below.

85 Michael Jordan Interlake
85 Michael Jordan Interlake
Very rare oversized 5x7 Michael Jordan trading card produced by Boy Scouts of American and Interlake Youth Incentive Program.
85 Star Co Michael Jordan Team Supers
85 Star Co Michael Jordan Team Supers
An unusual choice of photo - one of few capturing Jordan's tongue out - on this 1985 5x7 basketball card by Star.
86-87 Fleer Michael Jordan Rookie Card
86-87 Fleer Michael Jordan Rookie Card
The most recognisable trading card of all time.
86-87 Fleer Michael Jordan Rookie Sticker
86-87 Fleer Michael Jordan Rookie Sticker
A sticker from the same set as the 86 Fleer rookie card with the same pack distribution.
86 Super Canasta Michael Jordan Sticker
86 Super Canasta Michael Jordan Sticker
Canasta translates to 'basket' in Spanish - Jordan is certainly on his way to a super basket in this tongue-out dunk! This is a relatively affordable and available 1986 vintage Jordan card.
87-88 Spanish Gigantes Michael Jordan sticker #32
87-88 Spanish Gigantes Michael Jordan sticker #32
A tongue-out move on a photo taken in Jordan's rookie season is featured on this Spanish sticker. The photo is additionally against the Nets in possibly the same game as 84 Star Co and/or 86 Fleer photos.
88-89 Fleer Michael Jordan Third Year Sticker
88-89 Fleer Michael Jordan Third Year Sticker
The first appearance of the James Jordan inherited tongue out concentration technique.
89-90 North Carolina Michael Jordan Collegiate Collection
89-90 North Carolina Michael Jordan Collegiate Collection
Sponsored by Coca-Cola these cards feature Jordan playing in his UNC games framed nicely in UNC blue.
89 Kenner Starting Lineup Michael Jordan One-on-One
89 Kenner Starting Lineup Michael Jordan One-on-One
Featuring a bit of a Jordan tongue-out move, this card was distributed by Kenner with a figure.
89 Sports Illustrated For Kids Michael Jordan
89 Sports Illustrated For Kids Michael Jordan
Perforated cards released with the Sports Illustrated For Kids Magazine - this one features Jordan with his tongue out which was not long allowed on trading cards.
90-91 Fleer Michael Jordan
90-91 Fleer Michael Jordan
One of the greatest uses of photography on a basketball card with this iconic Jordan tongue-out move. This card is also available in a misprint version missing the black line on the back.
91 Michael Jordan Hoops Prototype
91 Michael Jordan Hoops Prototype
A prototype developed by Hoops for 1991.
91 Michael Jordan Hoops Prototype Metal
91 Michael Jordan Hoops Prototype Metal
A metal variation of the 1991 Hoops Prototype.
91 Michael Jordan Hoops Prototype missing the prototype mark
91 Michael Jordan Hoops Prototype missing the prototype mark
A prototype developed by Hoops for 1991 - this rare version was produced for internal use only and does not feature 'PROTOTYPE' on the back.