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Killer Card – Everything You Need To Know About The 1990 Hoops Mark Jackson Card

mark jackson menendez brothers card

The 1990 Hoops Mark Jackson card is one of the most intriguing collectibles in the hobby’s history. It’s undoubtedly one with the darkest backstory. And thanks to the new Netflix documentary – The Menendez Brothers, the card is getting unfound attention.

At first glance, the card looks like any other card from the set, featuring the New York Knicks point guard in action. However, what sets it apart is a background detail that has captured the attention of collectors and true crime fans. The real story lies with the two young men sitting courtside – Lyle and Erik Menendez.

Check prices on Mark Jackson 1990 Hoops cards featuring the Menendez Brothers on eBay

Usually, what makes a trading card gain infamy is related to the sport. This isn’t the case with this card, as it gained popularity because of its relation to one of the most infamous criminal cases in American history.

This article shall discuss everything about the 1990 Hoops Mark Jackson card — from why it went from a $0.05 card to selling for over $550 for a PSA 10. We’ll explore the card’s unique story and why it’ll continue to fascinate sports and true crime fans for years.

1990 Hoops Basketball

The 1990 Hoops Basketball set is one of the top basketball card sets from the era. This set has all the hallmarks of a memorable set. Its 440-card checklist is filled with many of the greatest stars of the day, rookie cards of 3 Hall of Fame players, and has exciting inserts such as the Stay In School insert.

Following the successful 1989 Hoops release, this set includes cards of iconic players from the era, such as Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson.

It was distributed as a first series (#1-336) and Series II (#337-440) and is perfect for people looking for a cheap basketball card set with many star players.

This set has several interesting error cards as a junk wax era set. It’s especially notorious for the wrong-back errors with cards having a different back from the player at the front. These cards don’t hold much value unless they are graded.

Check out prices of 1990 Hoops Mark Jackson cards on eBay

Who is Mark Jackson?

Born on April 1, 1965, Jackson played college basketball at St. John’s University before being selected by the New York Knicks in the 1987 NBA Draft. He made an immediate impact in his rookie season. He averaged 13.6 points and 10.6 assists per game, which earned him the 1988 Rookie of the Year award.

Throughout his 17-season NBA career, Jackson played for several teams, including the Knicks, Indiana Pacers, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Utah Jazz, Toronto Raptors, and Houston Rockets.

Jackson ranks 6th on the all-time assists list (10,334), 24th on the NBA all-time games list (1,296), 34th on the all-time steals list (1,608), 42nd on the all-time minutes played list (39,121), 225th on the all-time three-point field goals made list (734), and 197th on the all-time three-point field goal attempts list (2,213).

The Menendez Brothers

While Mark Jackson was a solid player during his time at the Knicks, he’s not the reason this card has become a highly sought-after collectible. In the card’s background, a little kid is standing, and behind the little kid, two guys are sitting and watching the game – Lyle and Erik Menendez.

The story of the Menendez brothers is one that shocked the nation. Lyle and Erik Menendez were convicted in 1996 for the brutal murders of their parents, José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home.

Nearly seven years and three trials later, Lyle and Erik Menendez were found guilty of their murders and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

A slow start to the Mark Jackson 1990 Hoops card

The Menendez brothers’ cameo in the 1990 Hoops Mark Jackson card wasn’t spotted until several decades after the set’s release. When it first came out, collectors and fans alike paid little attention to the background of Jackson’s card.

Even if someone had paid close attention, they would have seen two young men seated courtside, seemingly just fans enjoying a basketball game. There was nothing particularly noteworthy about their presence at the time. Hence, the card didn’t attract any attention. It was a standard card from a massively overproduced junk wax era set.

Check out prices of 1990 Hoops Mark Jackson cards on eBay

Some years after they attended the Knicks game, the Menendez brothers became infamous after being convicted for the murder of their parents in a highly publicized trial. Their faces became well-known due to the extensive media coverage of the case.

However, despite their famous faces, no one made the connection between the brothers and the basketball card for several years. Knowing who first noticed the Menendez brothers in the card’s background is impossible.

However, the card’s value picked up when X (formerly Twitter) user Stephen Zerance posted about spotting the Menendez brothers in the background of the Mark Jackson card.

The discovery of the Menendez Brothers’ Mark Jackson card

According to Stephen Zerance, in an interview with Ben Collins,

“My friend and I, who is also a true-crime head, knew that the brothers went on a lavish spending spree after they got an insurance payout from their parents’ death. They bought a lot of things: tennis lessons, Rolexes, clothes, businesses, restaurants, cars. Then we noticed they bought courtside tickets to the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.”

Zerance began looking at old photo archives for proof.

Check out prices of 1990 Hoops Mark Jackson cards on eBay

“Nothing. Maybe someone had uploaded a picture or video somewhere else? No luck. When Getty Images didn’t have anything, it was like a light bulb. There are so many junk cards on eBay.”

Zerance looked up cards from 1989 and 1990 on eBay and finally spotted what he was looking for. On August 12 2018, 29 years after the Menendez brothers committed the murders, Zerance posted his findings on Twitter.

This discovery quickly went viral, with several new websites, such as CNN and The Washington Post talking about it. Soon after this, the value of the card skyrocketed.

Collectors and true crime fans were suddenly eager to get their hands on this card, which had now gained a unique and somewhat macabre significance. The once-overlooked card became highly sought-after, increasing in value due to its newfound fame.

Timeline of events leading to the Knicks game

The timing of the photo featuring the Menendez brothers at a New York Knicks game is crucial to understanding why it’s significant. If the picture had been taken before they murdered their parents, it would simply show two young men enjoying a basketball game.

However, the fact that the photo was taken after they committed the murders but before they were apprehended adds a chilling layer to the image.

According to reports, this period, between the murders on August 20, 1989, and their arrests in March 1990, was marked by the brothers’ extravagant spending spree. They indulged in luxury items and experiences. The photo at the Knicks game, which was suspected to have been taken in October 1989, captures them during this period.

  • August 20, 1989: Lyle and Erik Menendez murdered their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home. The brothers used shotguns to kill their parents, claiming they acted out of fear for their lives due to years of abuse.
  • October 1989*: Following the murders, the brothers embarked on a lavish spending spree. They purchased luxury items, including expensive cars, watches, and a restaurant. During this period, they were photographed at a New York Knicks game, sitting courtside at Madison Square Garden. The photo was taken at MSG in the 1989-90 season.
  • March 1990: The brothers were arrested for the murders. Lyle was apprehended first outside the family home on March 8, 1990. Erik, who was in Israel for a tennis tournament, turned himself in on March 11, 1990, upon returning to the United States

The Menendez Brothers Netflix Documentary effect on the 1990 Hoops Mark Jackson card

Although the Menendez Brothers connection on the Mark Jackson card was known previously, it has received new attention due to the The Menedez Brothers Netflix documentary.

The Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story documentary was released on October 7th, where it has become the most popular content on Netflix in early October.

In a bizarre twist, the Menendez Brothers are apparently receiving an “influx” of mail requests for them to sign the infamous 1990 Hoops Mark Jackson card.

It is not known if any of these cards have been signed; however, collectors can only currently find the card signed by Mark Jackson on eBay.

View prices on 1990 Hoops Mark Jackson autographed cards on eBay

Value of the 1990 Hoops Mark Jackson card

​Before the connection to the Menendez brothers was made, the 1990 Hoops Mark Jackson card was a $0.30 card at most. It’s a common card from a massively overproduced basketball set. However, its value increased in value after Zerance discovered the Menendez brothers in the card’s background.

This connection transformed the card from a common junk wax-era card to a sought-after collectable.

Today, the value of the 1990 Hoops Mark Jackson card ranges from $16 for an ungraded card to $600 for a PSA 10.

Let’s consider the last sale prices from the Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) for three different grades.

Check out prices of 1990 Hoops Mark Jackson cards on eBay

1990 Hoops Mark Jackson PSA 8 (Average Price: $51.83)

1990 Hoops Mark JacksonOctober, 2024$46
1990 Hoops Mark JacksonOctober, 2024$56
1990 Hoops Mark JacksonOctober, 2024$53
1990 Hoops Mark JacksonOctober, 2024$52
1990 Hoops Mark JacksonOctober, 2024$65

1990 Hoops Mark Jackson PSA 9 ( Average Price: $105.50)

1990 Hoops Mark JacksonOctober, 2024$89
1990 Hoops Mark JacksonOctober, 2024$100.99
1990 Hoops Mark JacksonOctober, 2024$99.74
1990 Hoops Mark JacksonOctober, 2024$115.50
1990 Hoops Mark JacksonOctober, 2024$105.50

1990 Hoops Mark Jackson PSA 10 ( Average Price: $630)

1990 Hoops Mark JacksonOctober, 2024$564
1990 Hoops Mark JacksonOctober, 2024$630
1990 Hoops Mark JacksonOctober, 2024$710
1990 Hoops Mark JacksonOctober, 2024$610
1990 Hoops Mark JacksonOctober, 2024$657

All the last top 5 sales from every grade considered happened in October, and we’re just seven days into the month. This shows that there is ample demand for this card.

While the new Netflix series on the Menendez brothers might have helped push this demand, the circumstances surrounding this card ensure that it would always be in demand and hold its value well.

Why the 1990 Hoops Mark Jackson card (currently) holds value

The 1990 Hoops Mark Jackson card has become a highly sought-after collectible for several reasons.

Check out prices of 1990 Hoops Mark Jackson cards on eBay

The Menendez brothers

One of the primary reasons for the card’s huge demand is its connection to the Menendez brothers. Their presence on the card has transformed it into a piece of true crime memorabilia. True crime has a significant following, and collectors are often drawn to items with a dark or intriguing history. Their appearance on this card adds an element of fascination, making it a must-have for true crime fans and basketball collectors.

Its historical significance

Another factor that’s driving the demand for this card is its uniqueness. When it comes to collectibles, uniqueness is a crucial factor that affects a card’s demands.

The 1990 Hoops Mark Jackson card stands out because it features a moment that intersects sports and true crime history. This intersection makes the card more than just a sports collectible but a conversation piece and a historical artifact.

Investment potential

Lastly, the card’s demand is bolstered by the potential of making a profit. Collectors recognize that the card’s unique background and historical significance make it a valuable asset — at least for now.

The 1990 Hoops Mark Jackson card has become a novelty possession for both sports card collectors and true crime followers, but will it hold value?

Likely not. If you can buy or flip this card for a profit, now is likely the best time to do that as the hype will never be greater.

Bottomline of the 1990 Hoops Mark Jackson card

The 1990 Hoops Mark Jackson card is truly unique in the hobby. This isn’t because of  Mark Jackson’s solid NBA career but due to its unexpected connection to true crime. This card’s story and the Menendez brothers’ cameo testify to the surprising ways sports and true crime can intersect.

What should have been a common trading card long forgotten by now has become a valuable and highly sought-after item.

It’s also important to note that the story of the Menendez brothers hasn’t concluded. Until it does, and long after then, the 1990 Hoops Mark Jackson card would always be in high demand.

Whether you’re a basketball fan or fascinated by the card’s odd intersections of history, the 1990 Hoops Mark Jackson card would make a great addition to any collection.

Check out prices of 1990 Hoops Mark Jackson cards on eBay

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John Bassey

John Bassey

John is a freelance writer and founder of WordCraft Consult, a consultancy that provides expert writing services and enhances youth engagement in reading. With six years of writing experience and over 300 clients, He has made significant contributions as a content writer for several brands, such as Tech Triangle, KBO Bikes, Dolls Magazine, and, more recently, Cardlines.

John has a Bachelor's degree in Statistics and an enduring passion for creating content.  He is  currently dedicated to nurturing WordCraft while advancing appreciation for collectibles and literature through highly informative articles. 

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