Upper Deck Michael Jordan Card

By Dan Good | Contributing Writer

Many companies give holiday bonuses, a token of appreciation for hard-working employees.

Those bonuses come in numerous forms – usually a check or gift card, maybe a fleece or sweatshirt.

And then there’s Upper Deck, which this year gave its employees Michael Jordan displays featuring an autographed card and piece of the United Center floor. A few of the displays have already popped up .

The set is from a 2009 product Upper Deck created for its Upper Deck Authenticated line that contained hardwood floor from the United Center, according to a from 2009. The original set with card (without autograph) and floor piece initially sold for $24.99.

The UDA hologram number reveals the signed card in its database, also stating the card was signed in 2011.

Upper Deck could not be immediately reached for comment Friday.

The gift also comes with a card from the family of Richard P. McWilliam, the company co-founder who died earlier this year.

“It is with great honor and gratitude that we present you with this year’s special employee card collectible, ” the card reads in one of the auction images. “Your commitment and loyalty to Upper Deck through a most challenging year is recognized and sincerely appreciated.”

Upper Deck gave its employees a set of Precious Metal Gems cards featuring Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Mike Tyson, Michael Phelps and Oscar de la Hoya in September. Previous gifts have included game-used cards of various athletes including Cam Newton, LeBron James, Mark McGwire and Ken Griffey Jr.

This isn’t the first time Jordan was featured. One of the finest Upper Deck employee gifts came from 1999 – a “farewell season” card featuring Jordan’s autograph and jersey. The card, numbered to 275, shows MJ’s jumper to beat Byron Russell and the Utah Jazz in the 1998 NBA Finals.