In the world of sports memorabilia, where cardboard rectangles boast values higher than some mustangs (the wild kind, although a classic car might also apply), Jalen Hurts is making quite a splash. Fresh off a thrilling Super Bowl LIX victory, not only did Hurts walk off with the game’s MVP award, but he also became something of a golden goose for sports card collectors. The proof? A 2020 Panini Immaculate Collection 1/1 NFL Shield Auto (graded PSA 8/Auto 10 for those who speak card collector) of Hurts recently sold for a cool $35,000. Suffice it to say, this card’s value isn’t gathering dust like an old Pokemon collection lost in an attic.
This sale is not some overnight miracle that popped up faster than you can say “Super Bowl MVP.” No, its journey to fame began back on January 19, 2023, when it initially sold for $23,400. Fast forward to the radiant glory of February 9, 2025, when the card’s value had surged to $35,000, coinciding perfectly, almost poetically, with Hurts holding the MVP trophy.
Yet here lies the million-dollar… or hat-and-cane question: Is $35,000 the height of its financial prowess, or merely a stopping point on the way to higher mountaintops? Let’s unravel this sports card mystery with a sprinkle of intrigue.
The meteoric rise in this card’s value didn’t happen because someone mistook Hurts for a mythical being. Several factors play into this tale of cardboard riches. First, there’s Super Bowl lore. Winning one as a quarterback is akin to being knighted, opening doors and elevating reputations. Championship wins are the ultimate booster packs for QB card markets, promising a high return prospect for those who bet on future ring sizes expanding. With Hurts joining this elite echelon, it’s like a dramatic stock uptick in his card value.
Not to mention, snapping up an MVP like Hurts is buying a share of NFL history. He’s now embossed into the collective memory, standing shoulder to shoulder with a league of extraordinary gentlemen who have also been hailed MVPs. This combined with a market itching for premium sports cards—propelled by the legions of investors who treat modern stars like fine art—sets the stage for Hurts’ continuously appealing and growing market.
But let’s not lose all grip on reality amidst the collector’s dreams. How high can this mountain actually go? By glancing at his predecessors, we spot some clues. Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady represent the pantheon of card value potential. Mahomes, a dynamo with multiple Super Bowls, can see rookie cards reach six digits. Brady, undoubtedly in football’s Holy Grail space, needs digits in the seven figures. For Hurts to join this parade, continued excellence and perhaps, more importantly, a wardrobe full of championship rings are necessary. It’s a tall order, but Hurts has shown he can craft moments that defy gravity.
The climate of anticipation begs the question of strategic plays made in cardboard palaces: Should collectors let their cards breathe free in the open air of market circulation or stow them safely, hoping for further appreciation? There are arguments aplenty.
Current wisdom, and maybe a bit of gut feeling, tells fervent believers to buy if they predict more hardware in Hurts’ future trophy room. If you’re peering through the lens of an investor seeking immediate profit, selling could seem tempting, particularly to capitalize on the post-MVP dazzle. Those who can play the long game, perhaps prone to optimism, might want to hold firm and hope for exponential gains driven by an enduring legacy.
As the NFL takes a breather, settling into its offseason where the noise dies down, the real tests loom ahead. Will Hurts cards sustain their value, or will they catch a chill before the 2025 season resuscitates the fever?
For now, Jalen Hurts cards are reveling in their peak glory days, but tomorrow’s trending charts could tell another story. Whether this $35,000 case becomes a legendary benchmark or just a glimpse of what’s to come—all eyes will be on Hurts and his cardboard doppelgangers to provide the next thrilling chapter.
