Kevin O'Leary Wears $2M Michael Jordan Card in Tiffany Chain

Kevin O'Leary Turns a Rare Michael Jordan Card into Wearable Art

Shark Tank investor Kevin O'Leary, widely known as "Mr. Wonderful," has found a headline-grabbing way to showcase his alternative investments. He recently revealed that he is wearing an extremely rare 1997-98 Fleer Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems (PMG) Red Michael Jordan trading card around his neck, mounted inside a custom Tiffany & Co. chain decorated with rubies.

According to O'Leary, his investment group originally purchased the card for between $500,000 and $600,000. Today, he estimates that the card is worth more than $2 million. If realized, that price would represent a more than three-fold return on the initial purchase. However, because the card has not been sold at a public auction since he acquired it, that $2 million tag remains a self-reported paper valuation.

This is what's so great about the hobby. It's a fantastic alternative asset class and I can actually wear it! It looks spectacular in the Tiffany chain. I'm really wearing art.

Inside the 1997-98 PMG Set: Why Is This Card So Valuable?

In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter) on November 6, 2026, O'Leary gave viewers a close-up look at the card. To understand why sports card collectors put such high values on this piece, it helps to know the backstory of the 1997-98 Fleer Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems set.

Fleer produced a strict limit of just 100 total PMG cards for Michael Jordan in that edition. The print run was split into two distinct color schemes:

• Green PMG: The first 10 cards (numbered 1 through 10) feature a bright green metallic foil background.
• Red PMG: The remaining 90 cards (numbered 11 through 100) feature a deep red metallic foil background.

O'Leary owns copy number 12 out of 100. In his video, he noted that one of the ten green versions was reportedly destroyed in the past, leaving only nine known surviving green copies. He explained that he intentionally chose a red version because the vibrant crimson color matches the custom rubies embedded in his Tiffany chain.

Auction Data vs. Paper Valuations: What Is the Card Really Worth?

While O'Leary's $2 million claim makes for exciting headlines, public auction data provides a more grounded reference point for collectors and market observers.

In August 2026, a different copy of the exact same card—specifically PMG Red number 52 of 100—sold for $1,473,989 at a public auction. That sale marked a major milestone, setting the record for the highest price ever paid for a PMG card at a public event.

Whether O'Leary's card could reach or exceed $2 million in a live bidding scenario depends on several critical factors:

• Professional Grading: Third-party grading companies (such as PSA or BGS) evaluate card condition on a 1-to-10 scale based on centering, corners, edges, and surface quality.
• Physical Preservation: PMG cards are famously fragile because their metallic foil layers chip easily around the edges.
• Market Demand: High-end collectible sales require active competition between multiple motivated, high-net-worth buyers at the exact moment of sale.

Without a completed transaction or independent appraisal, an unverified estimate cannot guarantee what the market will actually pay.

Why Investors Are Eyeing Collectibles as Alternative Assets

O'Leary has long advocated for spreading capital across traditional and non-traditional investments. He has stated in past interviews that he aims to keep about 5% of his overall portfolio invested in rare sports cards, arguing that top-tier collectibles can perform well even during broader market pullbacks.

Niche collectible sectors have indeed seen significant price surges during specific timeframes. For example, an index tracking rare Pokémon cards rose by over 150% between September 2021 and October 2026. Over that specific stretch, that collectible index recorded higher percentage gains than major benchmark assets, including BitcoinBTC+0.09%, physical gold, and the S&P 500 index.

Past performance of alternative assets, commodities, or stock indices does not guarantee future results. Investors should evaluate market trends carefully rather than relying on past growth metrics.

The Risks of Investing in Rare Collectibles

While luxury items and rare trading cards can be visually impressive, they come with clear investment trade-offs that buyers should consider:

• Zero Ongoing Yield: Unlike dividend stocks, rental properties, or interest-bearing accounts, physical collectibles generate no passive cash flow.
• Low Liquidity: Selling a high-value collectible takes time, requires authentication, and often involves substantial auction house premiums or broker fees.
• Subjective Value: A card's value rests entirely on what another buyer is willing to pay at a given moment, making prices susceptible to shifts in public interest.

For now, Kevin O'Leary's Michael Jordan chain serves as a blend of personal fashion and high-stakes collecting. Whether the card is truly worth $2 million will remain an open question until it eventually crosses an auction block.