2021 UD Skybox Metal Universe Champions

[jdhaugh11]

While I am a sucker for prior UD products like Fleer Retro & love the look of the inserts & parallels from many of these sets, is anyone actually paying the current $1,500 a box for the new 2021 UD Skybox Metal Universe Champions set to come out soon?

I realize there will be some really high selling cards to come from this product, but there are going to be so many boxes that are more than a $1,000 loss.

I know many high end products are like buying a lottery ticket these days, but this one seems even crazier, since it's an unlicensed product.

Does anyone know what the direct cost was or the cost the product should of been before retailers jacked up the price?

I would think epack would be much cheaper, but even if it were half the price (not that it will be), it might still be overpriced.

[90skid]

This is finally coming out 7/29? Gheesh….

People aren’t even paying 1k for this years prizm. This needs to be equivalent to 2021 topps finest unlicensed for $100 a box or less.

[jdhaugh11]

This is finally coming out 7/29? Gheesh….

People aren’t even paying 1k for this years prizm. This needs to be equivalent to 2021 topps finest unlicensed for $100 a box or less.

I wouldn't say it's that low, the parallels will sell much better than the Chrome, however I do agree with your sentiment.

[NoleinJax]

What to expect in a hobby box:
Autographs, Precious Metal Gems, Rare Inserts or Low-Numbered Parallels – 1 Total
A Cut Above or Reaching for the Stars – 1 Total
Arc Weld, Blast Furnace or Intimidation Nation – 6 Total
Retro 1997-98 – 3
SkyBox Premium – 3

$1500/bx will be an absolute bloodbath for the vast majority.

[carl2001]

Are people buying this to keep sealed?

[boxbuster7]

blowout says 8/31/2022

[90skid]

dacardworld saying 7/27/22 presell $999.99

[Nomad]

they should do a Vee card crossover insert to make it interesting

[jdhaugh11]

dacardworld saying 7/27/22 presell $999.99

That is a huge difference from what Steel City has, but still way too much.
I used to find good deal at Steel City, but they have become the worst of all major sites the past year or so.

[jdhaugh11]

Sites also say that hobby Space Jam is supposed to come out in a few weeks, but that just keeps getting pushed out.
Don't get me started with UD Chasing Amy, that product was supposed to come out like 2 years ago!

[coltsnsox07]

I think I pre ordered a box many many months ago at $350 but I can't remember.

[carl2001]

I think I pre ordered a box many many months ago at $350 but I can't remember.

Where and when did you pre order yours?

[razerth1n]

Is this ever actually going to be released? I pre-ordered a year ago and the date on blowout or da seems to get pushed back a month every month.

[jdhaugh11]

Prices have plummeted to $350 a box now.
It dropped in half quickly and then in half again once retail blasters came out.
Many of the easy and mid level inserts, along with the base could easily be pulled from a $25 blaster box, which has made the value of many of these cards go down greatly.

[oldgoldy97]

Next years, or the next iteration might be a better description, is in the works and looks just as unpromising.

[DrZman]

I’m surprised they still haven’t put this on epack. Hype is all but completely dead.

[jdhaugh11]

I’m surprised they still haven’t put this on epack. Hype is all but completely dead.

If it came down to say $15 a pack on epack and you could upgrade 10 base for a Gold epack exclusive physical card, it might actually sell fairly well.

I got a blaster and hit a copper LeBron, Blast Furnace of LeBron and Gretzky Arc Weld. Thought I did decent, but the 3 only add up to about $15 worth of cards.

[mmbtvs]

Drops on epack tomorrow for those interested. Thanks to Gurd for correcting the year for me.

[csmtampa]

Drops on epack tomorrow for those interested. Thanks to Gurd for correcting the year for me.

$29.99 a pack….. lol

[DrZman]

$29.99 a pack….. lol

Yep they can collect dust I guess what a joke.

[Kobe101]

The Blasters are also $29.99.

I got one and it was a fun rip.

Kyle PItts Auto
Moses Moody Blast Furnace
Jalen Green Reaching for the Stars
Trety Lance- Insert that is pretty neat
Few other inserts - N Harris, Kuminga, Moody, BJ Boston and baseball and fighter I don't know.

Rookies- Scottie Barnes, Moody (Metal Universe version), Justin Fields and Ben Simmons 10 year rookie.

I was originally a hater of this product but I like the retail. The rip was way more fun than opening up Hoops, Donruss, Prizm, Optic or any Topps Baseball at the new prices.

[mfisher27]

I grabbed a handful of packs today on ePack. Definitely not buying anymore

10 total packs (order of 3, order of 3, order of 1, order of 3)

First group of 3:
Blast Furnace Gold Auto Parallel
Mikaela Shiffrin

2nd group of 3:
Nothing worth noting

Single pack order:
Nothing worth noting

Last group of 3:
First Pack: :eek:
2021 Skybox Metal Universe Champions Precious Metal Gems Orange Parallel

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52490439802_2edd910739_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2nYpe1N)MJ PMG Front (https://flic.kr/p/2nYpe1N) by Matthew Fisher (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156178764@N02/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52491475983_db6c1ea481_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2nYux2Z)MJ PMG Back (https://flic.kr/p/2nYux2Z) by Matthew Fisher (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156178764@N02/), on Flickr

3rd pack:
Skybox Premium Star Emerald Parallel
S-32 Jean Montero #25/25


I already shipped the Mikaela Shiffrin before I ordered the last group of 3 so I'll likely ship the MJ to me too, haven't decided yet.

[ninjacookies]

Do we all get MJ PmGz with 3 packs?

Pls respawn.

[jdhaugh11]

Nice Jordan pull, but I do have to wonder about the sanity of the people spending big money on these Jordan cards, because he looks like he is playing in some local rec league! Lol

[mfisher27]

Nice Jordan pull, but I do have to wonder about the sanity of the people spending big money on these Jordan cards, because he looks like he is playing in some local rec league! Lol

Thoughts on a potential trade...

My MJ for:
Justin Thomas 2021 SP Authentic Exquisite Collection Shirt/Auto /99
&
Knull Marvel Metal Universe Spider-Man Precious Metal Gems Red Parallel - High Series, 142

I feel like long term, the 2 cards would be worth it but I feel like the short term favors the MJ (assuming sales are still in the $1,100 - $1,350 range by time I get it from Upper Deck.

[beavers]

What’s with the numbering in the the green retro pmg’s? Says /100 but people are listing them to /10, and I haven’t seen any numbered above 10.

[GeeDee]

Edit - double

[GeeDee]

What’s with the numbering in the the green retro pmg’s? Says /100 but people are listing them to /10, and I haven’t seen any numbered above 10.Guessing the same as 97 pmgs. First 10 are green, last 90 red

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk

[smalltown]

Guessing the same as 97 pmgs. First 10 are green, last 90 red

Yup. The greens are 1-10/100 and the reds are 11-100/100

[mc1]

What’s with the numbering in the the green retro pmg’s? Says /100 but people are listing them to /10, and I haven’t seen any numbered above 10.

:cry:

You new?

[jdhaugh11]

Thoughts on a potential trade...

My MJ for:
Justin Thomas 2021 SP Authentic Exquisite Collection Shirt/Auto /99
&
Knull Marvel Metal Universe Spider-Man Precious Metal Gems Red Parallel - High Series, 142

I feel like long term, the 2 cards would be worth it but I feel like the short term favors the MJ (assuming sales are still in the $1,100 - $1,350 range by time I get it from Upper Deck.

If you like those 2 cards more and the value is similar, then do it. I am not sure of the value, so do your research first.

[DetroitTN]

I wish they'd release more unlicensed sets. I love the generic look and the awkward Photoshop jobs on the jerseys. It's also nice when the charge this much money for them

[DrZman]

Gave in and bought 6 packs over the last couple days and an upper deck employee actually came to my door and punched me in the balls. Overall I would not recommend.

[Vision59]

Sadly, I had preordered a year ago 4 boxes of this garbage.
I had such high hopes but talk about a monumental failure (at least in my eyes).
Fortunately after opening 2 boxes I quickly listed my remaining 2 on eBay and sold them.
Even doing that I didn't break even.
I need the contact info for the UD employee and will need a visit so that I never do that again. Brutal.

[hermanotarjeta]

Dang, hobby boxes are $225 at my local shop - what happened?

[jdhaugh11]

Dang, hobby boxes are $225 at my local shop - what happened?

They are getting to the price they should be.
Sure some of the inserts and parallels sell for good money, but you get like 2 good cards per case. The base and easy inserts can be had in blasters for $25.
Also players in street clothes or rec league like jerseys don't appeal to many people.

[hermanotarjeta]

They are getting to the price they should be.
Sure some of the inserts and parallels sell for good money, but you get like 2 good cards per case. The base and easy inserts can be had in blasters for $25.
Also players in street clothes or rec league like jerseys don't appeal to many people.

Looks like the lower box prices have also pulled down the prices of the big cards as well.

It’s horrific to think just two months ago they had this at $1000/box at the shop - and breakers were buying it.

[duron]

Straight dook

Wouldn’t even buy a box for $100

[90skid]

Someone paid $10,000 this month (on a best offer accepted) of a Lebron James 97 retro green PMG

Wild stuff.

[jdhaugh11]

I have seen boxes for as low as $187. This is a far cry from the original ask of $1,500 a box! Not sure of anyone was actually paying that price. Singles have also come way down, but ROI has to be better at current prices.
Has anyone seen boxes even cheaper than $187?
Can anyone think of another product that dropped this much or more in price?
I remember seeing basketball boxes from 2010-2014 go from $250 down to $50, but this might be the largest dip I can remember.

[yiguiri2002]

I have seen boxes for as low as $187. This is a far cry from the original ask of $1,500 a box! Not sure of anyone was actually paying that price. Singles have also come way down, but ROI has to be better at current prices.
Has anyone seen boxes even cheaper than $187?
Can anyone think of another product that dropped this much or more in price?
I remember seeing basketball boxes from 2010-2014 go from $250 down to $50, but this might be the largest dip I can remember.

I can't remember any box going at 10% of pre-sale/release prices. I've seen a few at 20-25%.

I think this might be the biggest fall in basketball though.

[jdhaugh11]

I had previously bought 4 blaster boxes that I pulled a Teofimo Lopez auto from that I sold to pay for 2 of the boxes, but I had not wanted to pay the going rate for a hobby box.
I ended up getting one from an online store for $187 & did about as well as I could have hoped. Below are pics of my 2 best cards.

The MJ has a ding in the upper right hand corner, but I can't complain too much. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230224/e7e9138e18655c403dcda1ab8cf02648.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230224/5964c3bee6247c72c8087d28f801218a.jpg

Sent from my SM-A125U using Tapatalk

[JEA2880]

I had previously bought 4 blaster boxes that I pulled a Teofimo Lopez auto from that I sold to pay for 2 of the boxes, but I had not wanted to pay the going rate for a hobby box.
I ended up getting one from an online store for $187 & did about as well as I could have hoped. Below are pics of my 2 best cards.

The MJ has a ding in the upper right hand corner, but I can't complain too much. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230224/e7e9138e18655c403dcda1ab8cf02648.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230224/5964c3bee6247c72c8087d28f801218a.jpg

Sent from my SM-A125U using Tapatalk

Now THAT'S how you do it!

[hobbytime]

Is this listed anywhere in any of the monthly Becketts? I just want to see a checklist and am curious what Beckett has these cards listed for.

[jdhaugh11]

Is this listed anywhere in any of the monthly Becketts? I just want to see a checklist and am curious what Beckett has these cards listed for.

You can look on Cardboard Connections for the checklist. Just do a Google search for this product name with the word checklist and it will show up.
As for prices, just look at ebay completed listings, I am not sure how accurate prices guides are these days. I haven't used one since last century (that might be literally).

[Yankees2020]

This Michael Jordan dude retired a long long time ago... his cards need to rest in peace. These are very tacky and they'll make another million of these types of cards till they totally water down his cards. I don't believe in printing cards of retired players. They had their time, and their cards. Now its the new generation's turn. Very fugly cards, at that.

[jdhaugh11]

I got a $25 off coupon, so I bought 2 more boxes for a total of $245 shipped after discount.
Hit my 2nd Red PMG of MJ in a total of 6 hobby boxes! Got it in the 1st pack of the 1st of 2 boxes!
The Lebron A Cut Above & Colmenarez auto were also in the first box. 2nd box was no good.

Here is a pic of the notable cards:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230619/e818a37301a3762008881d07c51248bc.jpg

Sent from my SM-A125U using Tapatalk

[LittleJimmies]

I got a $25 off coupon, so I bought 2 more boxes for a total of $245 shipped after discount.
Hit my 2nd Red PMG of MJ in a total of 6 hobby boxes! Got it in the 1st pack of the 1st of 2 boxes!
The Lebron A Cut Above & Colmenarez auto were also in the first box. 2nd box was no good.

Here is a pic of the notable cards:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230619/e818a37301a3762008881d07c51248bc.jpg

Sent from my SM-A125U using Tapatalk

You are very good at opening wax!

[jdhaugh11]

You are very good at opening wax!For this product so far, yes. There are many other products I have wasted a bunch of money on. It all averages out.

Sent from my SM-A125U using Tapatalk

[hermanotarjeta]

Boxes now down to $150 at my local shop.

[ninjacookies]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/166080877585?epid=18057230776&hash=item26ab311411%3Ag%3Am2cAAOSwCXJkV9O1&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8I0ouD6zcw6cy0jT4PTykCnm8MZayI1roYA3BA8aeCx3cA1f814o0XKCwjsBVv5cxD%2FN49Zv6HYM4tKnjtXXFUspW4ffx4w0NPDI6lmlaIoGHYx9OATcINr5%2BY56Usfdh8zTbwWsvtbSQlNXWa4ZhzfyN%2BaUcc%2FrX%2BdTcOlUqjU06jUeYobHnBCCs0pkmuoJaUVGrmSyYnjpw5cxZKWP79WKvVOroJmhQtHqekgmiQBA0l5fJE53LNR6oLXQw%2FZd1wYPIqTyOOoDiPk2n%2FI77p1YMKhn5MAg2FSoRmSYRWMVml%2FFSCPSBRYLI1Fst6huVQ%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR_jVhvWaYg&nma=true&si=NvqLb%252B2zD8ekS83e60uppKRFYEA%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Edges look like they got dragged through a Moriah Mills smear campaign and Gary Busey's incisors.

[jdhaugh11]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/166080877585?epid=18057230776&hash=item26ab311411%3Ag%3Am2cAAOSwCXJkV9O1&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8I0ouD6zcw6cy0jT4PTykCnm8MZayI1roYA3BA8aeCx3cA1f814o0XKCwjsBVv5cxD%2FN49Zv6HYM4tKnjtXXFUspW4ffx4w0NPDI6lmlaIoGHYx9OATcINr5%2BY56Usfdh8zTbwWsvtbSQlNXWa4ZhzfyN%2BaUcc%2FrX%2BdTcOlUqjU06jUeYobHnBCCs0pkmuoJaUVGrmSyYnjpw5cxZKWP79WKvVOroJmhQtHqekgmiQBA0l5fJE53LNR6oLXQw%2FZd1wYPIqTyOOoDiPk2n%2FI77p1YMKhn5MAg2FSoRmSYRWMVml%2FFSCPSBRYLI1Fst6huVQ%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR_jVhvWaYg&nma=true&si=NvqLb%252B2zD8ekS83e60uppKRFYEA%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Edges look like they got dragged through a Moriah Mills smear campaign and Gary Busey's incisors.

Yeah, sadly they all pretty much look like this. They grade in the 5 or 6 range mostly.

[duron]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/166080877585?epid=18057230776&hash=item26ab311411%3Ag%3Am2cAAOSwCXJkV9O1&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8I0ouD6zcw6cy0jT4PTykCnm8MZayI1roYA3BA8aeCx3cA1f814o0XKCwjsBVv5cxD%2FN49Zv6HYM4tKnjtXXFUspW4ffx4w0NPDI6lmlaIoGHYx9OATcINr5%2BY56Usfdh8zTbwWsvtbSQlNXWa4ZhzfyN%2BaUcc%2FrX%2BdTcOlUqjU06jUeYobHnBCCs0pkmuoJaUVGrmSyYnjpw5cxZKWP79WKvVOroJmhQtHqekgmiQBA0l5fJE53LNR6oLXQw%2FZd1wYPIqTyOOoDiPk2n%2FI77p1YMKhn5MAg2FSoRmSYRWMVml%2FFSCPSBRYLI1Fst6huVQ%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR_jVhvWaYg&nma=true&si=NvqLb%252B2zD8ekS83e60uppKRFYEA%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Edges look like they got dragged through a Moriah Mills smear campaign and Gary Busey's incisors.

That’s crazy. That seems worse than the backs of 95-96 Skybox foil inserts and those are some of the crappiest condition backs you’ll ever see.

[Nomad]

that's what you want, right? No fun if everything grades 9 or 10. Especially if yours is a 5.

[duron]

that's what you want, right? No fun if everything grades 9 or 10. Especially if yours is a 5.

I’m not even someone that’s big on condition. I’m more surprised the printing process somehow got worse.

[dengbang]

Wonder if the 1/1 Purple PMG Jordan has been pulled yet.

[bjho852]

Did anyone buying this product pull any autograph card (especially MJ)? Are they hard-signed or stickers?

[mjordandagoat]

So this was around $1,000+ per hobby box during the peak of the pandemic and now they are back down to MSRP. Is this still a cooler/fun chase than breaking other products? Trying to understand this set because it's like a mix-sport deal but almost feels like an Allen & Ginter/Goodwin situation.

[jdhaugh11]

So this was around $1,000+ per hobby box during the peak of the pandemic and now they are back down to MSRP. Is this still a cooler/fun chase than breaking other products? Trying to understand this set because it's like a mix-sport deal but almost feels like an Allen & Ginter/Goodwin situation.The generic clothes that MJ and Lebron are wearing really hurts & some of the people they put on the checklist were questionable, but the look of many of the cards are pretty cool & some are nostalgic. The current price is about where it should be. Most boxes have about $50 worth of cards in them, a few you will break even & about 1 box per 8 box inner case or 2 boxes per 16 box master case will have a card worth ripping for. The question is, will it be worth $200 or several thousand?
Those 1 or 2 cards will determine if a case break was worth it or not.
I am hoping that 8 box cases come down to $1,000. If they do I might get 1 or 2.

Sent from my SM-A125U using Tapatalk

[hobbytime]

So with a 3rd version of this set coming out in 2023 or 2024. How does the original version of this remake from 2021 holding up?

How have the sales been for the retro PMGs red and green?

[jdhaugh11]

So with a 3rd version of this set coming out in 2023 or 2024. How does the original version of this remake from 2021 holding up?

How have the sales been for the retro PMGs red and green?

I have done pretty well with the loose boxes I have bought.
2 Red PMGs of Jordan /150 (Not the Retro for either sadly)
Metalized Green PMG /10 of Bryson DeChambeau, Gold Mac Jones /100
Today I just hit a Retro Green PMG of Josh Giddey /10.
I have no idea what it will go for. Condition is decent, has some issues around the back, but it's way better than other PMG's I've hit.

I was able to get boxes recently for $115, which I feel is a good price. Even with the terrible street clothes photos, the inserts & Parallels are pretty cool for this set & I am a sucker for the throwback stuff.
I don't feel like 2022 or the mockups for 2023 do it as well.

[majestik101]

It's crazy that these boxes once upon a time were selling for $1,000+ bucks.

These boxes now go for $110 online. My LCS has two boxes for about the same, I went ahead and grabbed them.

[hermanotarjeta]

It's crazy that these boxes once upon a time were selling for $1,000+ bucks.

These boxes now go for $110 online. My LCS has two boxes for about the same, I went ahead and grabbed them.

I’ve opened six boxes in the last two weeks at $100/box. Still really tough to pull anything great. Not only do you have to hit the right inserts, you need to get the right players.

I pulled one galaxy champions - Mojave king (ugh) and two jambalayas (Zach Wilson and iverson), plus a cut above Jordan but I still lost over half my money in value. Best pmg was a kuminga/50.

[majestik101]

I’ve opened six boxes in the last two weeks at $100/box. Still really tough to pull anything great. Not only do you have to hit the right inserts, you need to get the right players.

I pulled one galaxy champions - Mojave king (ugh) and two jambalayas (Zach Wilson and iverson), plus a cut above Jordan but I still lost over half my money in value. Best pmg was a kuminga/50.

I am not opening these to hit the lottery, I am mainly opening for fun. Once in a while, UD will surprise me, like the one time I pulled a Tiger Woods on-card SSP auto out of Goodwin Champions, or a Drew Brees Buyback auto numbered to 5 out of a box of SP Authentic.

Crazy things happen with me and UD.

[hermanotarjeta]

I am not opening these to hit the lottery, I am mainly opening for fun. Once in a while, UD will surprise me, like the one time I pulled a Tiger Woods on-card SSP auto out of Goodwin Champions, or a Drew Brees Buyback auto numbered to 5 out of a box of SP Authentic.

Crazy things happen with me and UD.

That’s why I open upper deck too.

I’ve pulled some serious monsters back in the day and it’s still my favorite company - that’s why I’m willing to tolerate pictures of Jordan in his undies, lol.

But those big hits are TOUGH and the common cards in this product are essentially worthless.

[majestik101]

I incorrectly said I purchased 2 of the 2021 Skybox boxes.

I purchased One 2021 and One 2022. I haven't opened the 2022 yet, I might let that one simmer a bit.

But my one box of 2021 over-delivered. It had 2 PMGs.

#'d /50 Ken Griffey Jr. PMG. Looks like it's in the neighborhood if a $200-$300 card. Pretty nice card.

Also pulled a PMG /150 of some skater dude. Elliott Sloan, about a $10 card.

Other notable cards:

A Cut Above Insert: Jonathan Kuminga
Intimidation Nation: Allen Iverson, Mikaela Shiffrin
Blast Furnace: Jonathan Kuminga, LeBron James
Arc Weld: Wayne Gretzky
Skybox Premium: Michael Jordan
1997-1998 Retro: Michael Jordan, Trevor Lawrence

All in all, had fun. Decent rip for the price, but I think it's a one and done for me.

[hermanotarjeta]

I incorrectly said I purchased 2 of the 2021 Skybox boxes.

I purchased One 2021 and One 2022. I haven't opened the 2022 yet, I might let that one simmer a bit.

But my one box of 2021 over-delivered. It had 2 PMGs.

#'d /50 Ken Griffey Jr. PMG. Looks like it's in the neighborhood if a $200-$300 card. Pretty nice card.

Also pulled a PMG /150 of some skater dude. Elliott Sloan, about a $10 card.

Other notable cards:

A Cut Above Insert: Jonathan Kuminga
Intimidation Nation: Allen Iverson, Mikaela Shiffrin
Blast Furnace: Jonathan Kuminga, LeBron James
Arc Weld: Wayne Gretzky
Skybox Premium: Michael Jordan
1997-1998 Retro: Michael Jordan, Trevor Lawrence

All in all, had fun. Decent rip for the price, but I think it's a one and done for me.

Nice Griffey. I’ve opened about 20 boxes now and haven’t hit a pmg name anywhere close to Griffey.

[majestik101]

Nice Griffey. I’ve opened about 20 boxes now and haven’t hit a pmg name anywhere close to Griffey.

Thanks. I opened the 2022 box tonight and pulled a nice SSP Skybox Championship Galaxy Acetate of Druw Jones, and a Z-Force /50 of Jackson Holliday. Both cards look awesome in-hand.

According to the checklist, the Galaxy falls 1:450 packs, or 1:30 boxes, or 1:2.5 Master Cases.

I should make some good money on them both come Spring Training.

Pretty happy with my boxes. But I don't think I'm going to press my luck by buying any more.