Amanda Knapp
The Menendez brothers, Erik and Lyle, were found in the background of an NBA collector's card featuring Mark Jackson, more than three decades after they killed their parents. The brothers were sitting courtside at Madison Square Garden as the New York Knicks point guard passed the ball. The card gained notoriety after collectors noticed the brothers in the photo, and its price surged, with some listings reaching hundreds of dollars.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of the basketball card | 1990-91 |
| Player featured on the card | Mark Jackson |
| Team Mark Jackson played for | New York Knicks |
| Position of the Menendez brothers in the card | Background |
| Position of the Menendez brothers at the game | Front row, floor seats, courtside |
| Year the brothers' parents were murdered | 1989 |
| Year the brothers were arrested | 1990 |
| Year the card gained popularity | 2018 |
| Person who discovered the brothers on the card | Crime writer Stephen Zerance |
| Platform where the discovery was first posted | |
| Platform where the discovery gained popularity | |
| Price of the card after the discovery | $8-$500 |
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What You'll Learn
The Menendez brothers' spending spree after their parents' murder
The Menendez brothers, Erik and Lyle, were convicted of killing their parents, Jose and Mary Louise "Kitty" Menendez, in 1989. They were sentenced to life in prison without parole but have since been recommended for resentencing. In the months following the murder of their parents, the brothers went on a lavish spending spree, totalling around $700,000. This included the purchase of courtside tickets to a New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden, which would later immortalise them in the basketball world. They were spotted in the background of an NBA collector's card featuring Mark Jackson.
The brothers' spending spree also included new cars, such as a $64,000 Porsche Carrera for Lyle and a Jeep Wrangler for Erik. They also bought new clothes and watches, including three Rolex watches costing $15,000. Lyle invested in a restaurant in Princeton, New Jersey, and Erik spent money on tennis coaching with the aim of turning professional. They also took overseas trips to the Caribbean and London, and Lyle was seen in a chauffeur-driven limousine with bodyguards.
The brothers' extravagant spending spree contrasted with their earlier claims of grief and trauma, and it was this spending that initially made authorities suspicious and led to their arrests. Prosecutors alleged that their crimes were financially motivated, as they wanted access to the family's fortune. However, the defence later framed the spending as a psychological escape from years of alleged abuse by their father.
The discovery of the brothers in the background of the Mark Jackson basketball card sparked interest among collectors and true crime enthusiasts. The card's value surged, with some listings reaching hundreds of dollars. However, eBay eventually banned the sale of the card, citing its policy against items associated with violent crimes.
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Mark Jackson's knowledge of the brothers' presence on the card
Mark Jackson, the former NBA star, was aware of the presence of the Menendez brothers in the background of his 1990 NBA basketball card. In an interview, Jackson stated that he "always knew about it, unfortunately, because of the history behind it". He became aware of the card's notoriety when it "picked up steam" and people recognised the brothers in the background.
The card gained attention in 2018 when crime writer Stephen Zerance purchased several of the cards for 10 cents each and posted his findings on Twitter. Zerance was searching for evidence of the brothers' lavish spending after their parents' murder, which included courtside tickets to a New York Knicks game. The card depicts the brothers sitting on the sidelines as Jackson passes the ball to a teammate.
The discovery of the card sparked interest among collectors and true crime enthusiasts, with some listings reaching hundreds of dollars. However, eBay eventually removed listings that referenced the Menendez brothers, citing policies against items associated with violent crimes. Despite this, some collectors continue to seek out the card, and it remains a sought-after item for those interested in true crime.
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$79.95
The card's value surge
The Cards' Value Surge
The 1990 Mark Jackson NBA basketball card has become a collector's item after eagle-eyed fans spotted the Menendez brothers in the background. The card, which features Jackson in the foreground, was taken after the brothers had murdered their parents but before their arrest. The brothers were sitting in a pair of floor seats at the game, which they had purchased with their parents' money.
The discovery of the brothers' presence on the card sparked significant interest among collectors and true crime enthusiasts. Previously valued at mere cents, the card's price surged, with some listings reaching hundreds of dollars. The card's value is expected to continue to rise as the Menendez case gains renewed attention. The case has recently been back in the spotlight due to a potential review of new evidence, which could lead to a new trial or sentence.
The surge in value has led to a demand for the cards, with collectors seeking them as rare trading cards. Some collectors are even sending the cards to the Menendez brothers in prison to be autographed, adding to their memorabilia. The cards have also been sold on eBay, with some sellers seeking top dollar for the collectible. However, eBay has removed listings that explicitly referenced the Menendez brothers, citing policies against items associated with violent crimes.
The card's value is also impacted by the spending spree the brothers went on after their parents' murder. The brothers spent approximately $700,000 in the months following the murder, including on Rolex watches, new cars, and courtside tickets to the Knicks game. This lavish spending contrasted with their earlier claims of grief and trauma, and it was this spending that initially led to the discovery of the brothers on the card.
The combination of the brothers' infamy, the card's rarity, and the public's continued fascination with the case has resulted in the surge in value for the 1990 Mark Jackson NBA basketball card. As the case continues to unfold and capture the public's attention, the card's value is likely to remain high among collectors and true crime enthusiasts.
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The card's ban from eBay
The Menendez brothers, Erik and Lyle, were convicted of murdering their parents, Jose and Kitty, in 1989. They were sentenced to life in prison. The case was highly publicized, and the brothers initially blamed the mob for the murders before claiming that they were victims of sexual abuse. During the period between the murders and their arrests, they went on a lavish spending spree, buying Rolex watches, designer clothing, cars, and courtside tickets to a New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden.
It was this purchase of courtside tickets that led to the brothers' unexpected inclusion in an NBA trading card. In 2018, crime writer Stephen Zerance discovered that the Menendez brothers were visible in the background of Mark Jackson's 1990-91 NBA Hoops basketball trading card. The card quickly gained notoriety among collectors and true-crime enthusiasts, with some listings reaching hundreds of dollars.
However, eBay soon began removing listings of the card, citing their policy against selling items "affiliated with murders or serial killers." In an email to impacted sellers, eBay stated: "You listed an item affiliated with a known murderer. eBay does not allow items that were owned by or affiliated with many murderers and serial killers."
Despite the ban, eBay has not consistently enforced it, and several listings mentioning the presence of the Menendez brothers in the background of the card remain on the site. The card's value has surged, with some sellers seeking thousands of dollars for the collectible item.
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The brothers' legal fate
The Menendez brothers, Erik and Lyle, were convicted of the 1989 murders of their parents, Jose and Mary "Kitty" Menendez, in a highly publicized trial. Initially sentenced to life without parole, the brothers have since been resentenced and are now eligible for parole after serving 35 years in prison.
In the aftermath of the murders, the brothers went on a lavish spending spree, including the purchase of courtside tickets to a New York Knicks game, which would inadvertently immortalize them in the basketball world. Years later, in 2019, it was discovered that the brothers appeared in the background of an NBA trading card from the 1990-1991 season, featuring Knicks player Mark Jackson. This discovery sparked interest among collectors and true crime enthusiasts, with some sending the card to the brothers in prison for autographs.
The parole process is expected to be long and could take years. The brothers have scored several legal victories, including a court order forcing the state to explain why evidence of their claimed abuse was barred from their original trial. They have the support of over 20 family members in their efforts to be released, with relatives pleading for their release and testifying to their transformation during their time in prison.
The district attorney's office, however, has fiercely opposed their release, arguing that the brothers have not been fully rehabilitated and have continued to make excuses for their actions. The parole hearing is currently scheduled for August 2025, and the brothers eagerly await the possibility of freedom after decades behind bars.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Erik and Lyle Menendez were found in the background of an NBA collector's card featuring Mark Jackson.
Lyle and Erik Menendez were convicted of the 1989 murder of their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, in Beverly Hills, California.
The brothers purchased courtside tickets to watch the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden using their parents' money. They were inadvertently captured in the background of the card, taken after their parents' murder but before their arrest.
The card gained notoriety among collectors and true crime enthusiasts, with its price surging from a few cents to hundreds of dollars. eBay eventually banned the sale of the card, but it can still be found on other sites.
