Inside the Mind of a Michael Jordan Card Expert: Interview with Cajun Cardboard

Dads need hobbies. Something that gets us excited beyond answering emails, checking off errands, and figuring out who left an open yogurt in the car.

For me, that’s collecting Michael Jordan cards. So when Bryan Denison from Cajun Cardboard agreed to join me for an interview, I had questions. A lot of questions.

We talked about collecting on a budget, rare ’90s inserts, childhood card shops, fatherhood, and a $1.8 million offer he turned down.

Welcome to the first episode of “Dad to Dad” from Healthy Dad Hacks.

Watch my Interview with Bryan from Cajun Cardboard

Whether you’re pulling childhood cards out of storage or already building a Jordan collection, there’s plenty to learn here.

Highlights

• Building a Jordan collection around your interests and budget
• Why Michael Jordan?
• His favorite Jordan card and biggest collecting lesson
• Michael Jordan Base cards vs subsets vs inserts vs parallels
• Leaving a 25-year legal career to pursue cards full-time
• Faith, family, and life as a father of 7!

Resources discussed

• TCDB (Trading Card Database)
• Bryan’s 378-card Michael Jordan Hierarchy Project

Where to find Cajun Cardboard

• YouTube: @cajuncardboard (over 3k Jordan videos!)
• Website: cajuncardboard.com
• eBay Live Auctions: ebay.com/ebaylive/sellers/SPQuKj9MRc6
• Instagram: @cajun_cardboard

Meet Bryan from Cajun Cardboard

Bryan’s love of basketball came before his love of Jordan cards.

Growing up in Kentucky, basketball was woven into his life. He went on to play college basketball and baseball, spend countless hours playing pickup basketball.

His childhood collecting, however, centered on baseball. One surprising detail from our conversation: Bryan said he didn’t own a Michael Jordan card until 2019. His curiosity eventually became a deep study of Jordan cards, particularly ’90s inserts and parallels. Cajun Cardboard gave him a place to research, explain, and share what he was learning.

Base Cards, Subsets, Inserts, and Parallels Explained

Bryan broke down terminology that can make returning collectors feel like they missed an entire semester:

• Base cards: Cards included in a product’s main checklist.
• Subsets: Themed groups within that checklist, such as All-Stars or award winners.
• Inserts: Cards outside the main base checklist, often distributed according to stated pack odds.
• Parallels: Variations of an existing card, with differences such as color, foil, or a refractor finish.

Appearance alone doesn’t tell you how a card was issued or how rare it is.

For researching specific cards, checklists, and documented pack odds, Bryan recommended Trading Card Database, or TCDB. Think of it as an encyclopedia to consult when you have a particular question.

His Opinion on my MJ Card Strategy

I asked Bryan to challenge the strategy I outlined in my resource: How to Collect Michael Jordan Cards…on a Budget.

His response centered on something simple:

Collectors get to set their own rules

Bryan also emphasized that those rules can change. Your collection doesn’t have to follow the same plan forever. That was one of my favorite takeaways: a collecting strategy should give you direction and room to enjoy yourself.

The Michael Jordan Hierarchy Project

Bryan’s Michael Jordan Hierarchy Project organizes 378 Jordan inserts and parallels into four tiers.

It has specific boundaries rather than attempting to include every Jordan collectible. Autographs, memorabilia cards, and one-of-ones fall outside its scope. Bryan explained how he brought experienced Jordan collectors into the discussion to help inform the project. The poster includes card information and pack odds on the reverse.

His Favorite Jordan Card — and a $1.8 Million Lesson

Bryan’s favorite Michael Jordan card is the 1997 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Red, commonly called the PMG Red.

Then came a harder question: his biggest collecting mistake.

Bryan shared that he turned down a $1.8 million offer for his complete PSA 10 1986 Fleer basketball set, before eventually selling for less after the market declined.

He used the proceeds to purchase other Jordan cards, including his PMG Red, and viewed the experience as a lesson rather than simply a regret. That discussion highlighted how emotional collecting can become.

Buying a card is one decision. Letting it go can be much harder.

Dad’s Final Thoughts

Collecting Jordan cards connects different seasons of my life: the kid wandering around a card shop outside Chicago, the adult discovering his childhood cards aren’t all gem mint, and the dad showing his collection to his kids.

Bryan brought that same mix of enthusiasm, knowledge, and perspective to our conversation. Whether you’re chasing a rare insert or adding an affordable base card to your collection, there’s room to learn, make friends, and enjoy the process.