Rare Michael Jordan Space Jam Autographs In Upcoming 2026 Skybox Metal Universe Set

The 30th anniversary celebration of the original Space Jam movie continues with a second trading card set commemorating the millennial kid’s movie classic. Starring Michael Jordan, Bugs Bunny, and the rest of the Looney Tunes, they take on Monstars in a battle for basketball supremacy and to prevent the gang from being attractions on Mr. Swackhammer’s outer space theme park. Since the movie’s release, Space Jam has become a cultural touchstone thanks to Jordan and Bugs, but also the legendary Air Jordan 11 Space Jam, which is getting a retro release this December.

Tentatively set to release sometime in December and January in both retail blaster and hobby box configurations, the big chase cards for 2026 Skybox Metal Universe Space Jam 30th Anniversary are Michael Jordan autograph cards. Similar to a hanger box set that Upper Deck released earlier this year as a Target exclusive, the Jordan autographs will command huge attention and dollars in the secondary market. With all the big names in the trading card world signing with multiple brands or locking up exclusivity deals, Jordan’s loyalty to Upper Deck has been a mutually beneficial partnership, leading to Jordan becoming the brand’s first Legacy Partner earlier this year.

Other highlights from 2026 Skybox Metal Universe Space Jam 30th Anniversary are an assortment of classic inserts and parallels from iconic Skybox trading card sets from the 1990s. According to the preview images, Jordan will get an autograph card in his Tune Squad uniform using the 1996-97 Skybox Autographics design. Other throwback Skybox inserts include Z-Force, Trophy Case, E-X, Platinum Portraits, and Metal Universe Retro with low-numbered parallel versions. A short-printed card of Michael Jordan’s halfcourt dunk that will have Precious Metal Gems parallels will also be something worth keeping an eye on.

Here are the pull rates that have been posted by various distributors.

Retail Blaster Box Pull Rates From A 20-Box Case

Pack Hits (On Average)

• 3 Base Set cards
• 2 Cinematic, Ready to Jam, Monstars, Big Ups cards
• 1 additional insert or chase card

Box Hits (On Average)

• 2 Z-Force, Trophy Case, or Magnetic Field with parallels ranging from 50 to 10
• 1 Superalloy, Skybox Premium, or E-X with parallels ranging from 50 to 1 of 1

Case Hits (On Average)

• 1 of Jambalaya, Gold Universe, All-Galactic Team, Michael Jordan Halfcourt Dunk SP, or Metal Universe Retro

Hobby Box Pull Rates From A 12-Box Case

Box Hits (On Average)

• 3 serial numbered cards
• 4 inserts of Magnetic Field, Trophy Case and/or Z-Force with parallels ranging from 50 to 10
• 4 inserts of Superalloy, Skybox Premium, and/or E-X with parallels ranging from 50 to 1 of 1

Case Hits (On Average)

• 1 Autograph Card
• 9 of Jambalaya, Gold Universe, All-Galatic Team, or Michael Jordan Halfcourt Dunk SP, and/or Metal Universe Retro

2026 Skybox Metal Universe Space Jam 30th Anniversary is expected to launch between December 2026 and January 2027 in both hobby box and retail blaster box configurations.

Wishcasting The Autograph Checklist

As an aside, with one autograph per case, the potential is there for a star-studded checklist beyond what will surely be a very difficult to find Jordan autograph. Besides the voice actors here is a shortlist of actors, celebrity cameos, and NBA players who could be included in the set.

• Bill Murray
• Larry Bird
• Danny DeVito (voice of Mr. Swackhammer)
• Billy West (voice of Bugs)
• Dee Bradley Baker (voice of Daffy)
• Kath Soucie (voice of Lola)
• Charles Barkley (Barkley recently had an exclusive deal with Panini)
• Patrick Ewing
• Larry Johnson
• Muggsy Bogues
• Shawn Bradley
• Wayne Knight
• Theresa Randle
• Ahmad Rashad
• Jim Rome

And that’s not even including the amazing artists that were part of the memorable soundtrack including Seal, Monica, Jay-Z, Method Man, Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J, Salt-N-Pepa, and Chris Rock. It’s unlikely Upper Deck could have gathered this amount of talent for one product, but we can hope.

Unfortunately, any hope of a Jordan and LeBron James dual autograph to bring together the original Space Jam and the 2021 sequel Space Jam: A New Legacy were dashed when LeBron left Upper Deck to sign an exclusive deal with Fanatics/Topps a few years ago.

Juan Martinez

From video game journalism to veteran of the sneaker blog era to podcasting about well, everything, Juan is smiling through it all and can't believe this is his life. His current hot take is that people are really underrating the Psyduck trading card market. Email: juan@soleretriever.com Instagram | Twitter | Bluesky | Threads : @ezyville