1989 Converse Basketball Card Set and Checklist

1989 Converse Specs

Year: 1989

Title: Converse

Size: 2-1/2″ by 3-1/2″

Number in Set: 13-17

1989 Converse Overview

The 1989 Converse basketball set was officially licensed by the NBA and was produced by Sports Marketing Inc. in Redmond, WA. Apparently, 50k sets were made, which included 13 players who endorsed Converse shoes. The original intention was for the cards to be distributed at youth basketball clinics; however, many weren’t given away and were distributed in other ways throughout the hobby.

When first released, the set included a “free” video card. For $3.95 shipping and handling, fans could get a copy of Converse Basketball Tips that featured Julius Erving, Kevin McHale, and Dale Brown.

You will see different checklist sizes listed in various publications for this set. I recently came across an uncut sheet for sale on eBay that has 16 different cards on it: 13 player cards, two checklists, and the video offer.

1989 Converse Basketball Uncut Sheet – Front

1989 Converse Basketball Uncut Sheet – Reverse

However, the uncut sheet shows a blank title card, but others on the market say “1989 ALL PRO TEAM” without the video offer on them, indicating a production shift occurred at some point. So, a master set of 1989 Converse requires 17 cards, but most collectors will stick with the 13 player cards for a complete set.

The front of the player cards features a color-action player photo against a white background. “CONVERSE OFFICIAL SHOE OF THE NBA” and the NBA logo are printed along the top of the card, and the player’s name and number are printed below the photo. The back of each card has basic player vitals, a short biography, and career highlights, along with a tip from the player with an anti-drug or alcohol message.

Mark Aguirre’s name is misspelled as Aquirre on the checklist cards.

1989 Converse Sales and Example

PSA has graded a surprising (to me) 958 of these cards, and almost half are Gem Mt 10s, and 536 are of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. SGCs Pop Report shows 126 graded examples, with most being of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird (102 of the 126).

The priciest Gem Mt 10 Larry Bird sale was in April 2021 for $1,058. And the priciest Gem Mt 10 Magic Johnson sale was in February 2021 for $898.88. Today, Magic PSA 10s sell for between $80 and $100 while Bird’s go for around $225. Not everything has recovered from the Covid bubble!