As the list of tributes to the late Michael Jackson continues to grow, it was only a matter of time until trading cards found their way into the mix. Upper Deck announced today that one of its upcoming baseball products will include limited edition cards commemorating one of MJ's signature performances.
The performance in question happened at halftime of Super Bowl XXVII, and was arguably more entertaining than the lopsided 52-17 thrashing the Dallas Cowboys handed out to the Buffalo Bills that day. Still near the height of his powers, Jackson electrified a live crowd of over 98,000 people and millions watching around the world on television as he ran through a series of his greatest hits.
Upper Deck is taking fans and collectors back in time to that memorable halftime show with four short-printed cards that will be inserted into packs of 2009 UDx Baseball. These short printed inserts feature caricatures of the King of Pop that capture key moments of that day back in January 1993.
“Michael Jackson was a unique entertainer whose performances routinely exceeded expectations as he continually tested the boundaries with his music and dance,” said Jason Masherah, Upper Deck’s director of Sports Brands in a company press release. “After witnessing the outpouring of love at his memorial, we knew the public would appreciate this commemorative collection to celebrate his larger-than-life persona. Both sport and music fans alike will no doubt reminisce about the memorable halftime performance.”
The passing of just about any athlete or celebrity results in a temporary boost in interest in their his or her collectibles. But Jackson is no garden variety star, and MJ memorabilia of all kinds has skyrocketed in value since his untimely death on June 25.
That surge has led some experts to warn about the possibility of counterfeit Jackson collectibles. This has been a boon for sellers of legitimate items. Upper Deck's Michael Jackson cards will garner no such concerns and should be in high demand once they hit the market.
2009 UDx Baseball is scheduled to go live on August 4th.
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