The $25 Card That Exploded: Why The Menendez Brothers Sports Card Is Now A True Crime Phenomenon

The intersection of true crime and sports memorabilia has created one of the most bizarre and valuable collectibles of the modern era: the "Menendez Brothers sports card." This phenomenon centers on a seemingly innocuous 1990 NBA trading card that features convicted murderers Lyle and Erik Menendez courtside, a subtle cameo that has caused the card's value to skyrocket from pocket change to hundreds of dollars in late 2024 and early 2025. This unprecedented surge in interest is directly linked to a renewed focus on the infamous case, fueled by a major 2024 Netflix series, catapulting this controversial piece of cardboard into the volatile world of "murderabilia." The bizarre nature of this collectible—a photograph taken before the brothers' arrest for the 1989 shotgun murders of their parents, José and Kitty Menendez—has created a moral and financial debate among collectors, auction houses, and the general public. As of today, December 13, 2025, the card's status as a must-have true crime artifact remains a hot topic, with a second, less-known Michael Jordan card also gaining notoriety.

Lyle and Erik Menendez: A Brief Biographical Profile

The Menendez brothers, Lyle and Erik, became household names in the early 1990s after the brutal murder of their wealthy parents in Beverly Hills, California. Their subsequent trials, which included allegations of years of sexual abuse by their father, captivated the nation and became a cornerstone of the true crime genre. Their appearance on a sports card is a chilling snapshot from a time before their crimes were public knowledge.

• Lyle Menendez (Joseph Lyle Menendez):
• Born: January 10, 1968, in New York City.
• Parents: José Menendez (father, entertainment executive) and Kitty Menendez (mother).
• Current Status: Serving a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole (LWOP), later resentenced to 50 years to life in May 2025.
• Current Location: Currently incarcerated in California State Prison System.
• Erik Menendez (Erik Galen Menendez):
• Born: November 27, 1970, in New York City (approximately three years younger than Lyle).
• Parents: José Menendez and Kitty Menendez.
• Current Status: Serving a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole (LWOP), later resentenced to 50 years to life in May 2025.
• Current Location: Currently incarcerated in California State Prison System, having recently been reunited with his brother Lyle in the same facility.
• The Crime: On August 20, 1989, Lyle and Erik fatally shot their parents in the den of their Beverly Hills mansion.
• Conviction: Both brothers were convicted of first-degree murder in 1995 after two highly publicized trials.

The Two Menendez Brothers Sports Cards: Mark Jackson and Michael Jordan

The "Menendez Brothers Sports Card" isn't an official release dedicated to the murderers; rather, it is a famous error or, more accurately, an accidental cameo that only gained notoriety years after its printing. The card’s value is now driven entirely by the presence of the convicted murderers in the background.

The Original: 1990 NBA Hoops Mark Jackson (#205)

The first and most recognized card is the 1990 NBA Hoops Mark Jackson card, number 205. The card features then-New York Knicks guard Mark Jackson dribbling the ball, but it's the courtside seats that hold the macabre secret.

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In the bottom-right corner, clearly visible, are Lyle and Erik Menendez, seated together and watching the game. The photo was taken at Madison Square Garden (MSG) on December 29, 1989, just four months after they committed the murders.

• The Value Surge: For decades, this card was a common, low-value item, worth perhaps 25 cents. The value began to climb years ago as a niche collectible but exploded in late 2024, coinciding with the release of the Netflix series.
• Current Market Status: Un-graded copies can now sell for $20 to $50, while professionally graded (PSA or Beckett) copies in high condition (Gem Mint 10) have commanded prices soaring into the hundreds of dollars.
• The Controversy: The card’s newfound fame has placed it squarely in the "murderabilia" category—items associated with infamous crimes. This classification has led to controversy, with platforms like eBay reportedly removing listings that explicitly market the card solely for the Menendez brothers' presence, citing policies against items associated with violent crimes.

The New Discovery: 1994 Upper Deck Michael Jordan Rare Air (#89)

In a twist that further fuels the true crime collecting market, a second card featuring the Menendez brothers was identified in late 2024. This card is the 1994 Upper Deck Michael Jordan Rare Air card, number 89.

The discovery, credited to a French collector, shows Lyle and Erik Menendez seated courtside in the bottom right corner of the card, just as in the Mark Jackson version.

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• Fresh Collectible: Because this discovery is so recent, its long-term market value is still being established, but initial sales show a similar, rapid price appreciation.
• True Crime Crossover Appeal: The combination of the world's most famous basketball player, Michael Jordan, and two of the world's most infamous murderers creates a unique crossover appeal that some analysts believe could eventually make this card even more valuable than the Mark Jackson version.

The 'Murderabilia' Market and The Netflix Effect

The dramatic rise in value of these sports cards is a perfect case study in how media and the "murderabilia" market interact. The term "murderabilia" refers to the collecting and trading of items associated with criminals, cults, and true crime events.

The 2024 Netflix Catalyst

The primary driver for the late 2024 and 2025 price surge was the release of the Netflix series, *Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story*, directed by Ryan Murphy. The show, which premiered in September 2024, reignited public debate about the case, particularly the brothers' claims that the murders were a response to years of sexual abuse.

This massive wave of cultural relevance pushed the Menendez brothers back into the global consciousness, creating a demand for any associated artifacts, no matter how tangential. For true crime enthusiasts and novelty collectors, owning a card that literally places the brothers at a public event just months after their crime is a compelling, albeit dark, piece of history.

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Ethical Debate and Market Volatility

The collecting of true crime items, including the Menendez cards, is fraught with ethical controversy. Critics argue that the practice sensationalizes violence and profits from the victims' tragedy (José and Kitty Menendez).

However, the market for such historical artifacts, which includes items related to figures like Al Capone and Ted Bundy, remains robust. The Menendez sports cards occupy a strange middle ground: they are not items *created* by the murderers, but rather a rare photographic coincidence that has been retroactively assigned a dark significance.

The current market for the Menendez cards is highly volatile. While the media spotlight will eventually fade, the scarcity of the cards and their unique place in both sports and true crime history suggest they will retain a high value as a permanent fixture in the world of controversial collectibles.