Rare Menendez Brothers Trading Card Featuring Their Crime Scene Becomes Highly Sought-After Collector's Item

A seemingly ordinary 1990 NBA trading card has become an object of fascination and controversy due to its unexpected connection to one of America’s most infamous true crime cases. The card, which features New York Knicks guard Mark Jackson in action, also immortalizes a moment in history: Erik and Lyle Menendez—later convicted in the brutal killings of their wealthy parents—can be seen seated courtside in the background.

When sharp-eyed collectors identified the Menendez brothers on the card in the mid-2010s, the item’s value soared. Once considered virtually worthless, copies began fetching hundreds of dollars online as both sports memorabilia enthusiasts and true crime followers clamored to own a piece of eerie pop culture history. But the newfound demand also triggered backlash. Online marketplaces such as eBay took down listings that referenced the card’s connection to the notorious murders, citing policies against profiting from violent crimes.

*According to recent reports*, a new trend has emerged among collectors: some fans have mailed the card to the Menendez brothers in prison, seeking autographs to further boost its value and mystique.

**The Menendez brothers’ presence at the Knicks game—captured months after the August 1989 killing of their parents, José and Kitty Menendez—offered a glimpse into their lavish lifestyle following the murders.** Investigators later alleged that the siblings spent their inheritance extravagantly, undermining their claims of grief.

• Lyle Menendez reportedly purchased designer clothing, a Porsche, and poured money into a Princeton restaurant venture.
• Mary Ellen Mahar, a jewelry sales representative, testified at trial that the brothers spent around $15,000 on Rolex watches less than a week after the killings.
• Both siblings lived in luxury hotels and upscale rental properties, with Erik also pursuing a professional tennis career—including hiring private coaches and training abroad.

Defense attorneys contended that the spending spree reflected the brothers’ psychological struggles after years of family turmoil and alleged abuse by their father. Prosecutors, however, argued that greed and desire for financial independence motivated the calculated double murder.

The criminal saga captivated national attention, culminating in a 1996 conviction. Both brothers eventually confessed to the shotgun murders inside their Beverly Hills home. Now, decades later, their story continues to evolve: following a recent resentencing, Erik and Lyle Menendez are eligible for parole and will address the parole board via video in June 2025.

Whether the brothers will be released ultimately rests with California Governor Gavin Newsom, who must weigh public sentiment and legal precedent in making his decision. For now, the Mark Jackson trading card remains a strange artifact—an intersection of celebrity, crime, and cultural memory that keeps the Menendez case alive in unexpected ways.