In 1989, the world of football card collecting didn't just change; it essentially exploded. Before that year, if you wanted football cards, you basically had Topps. That was it. But then along came Pro Set, a company with a massive ego and an even bigger printing press. They didn't just want to make cards; they wanted to be the "official" card of the NFL, and for a hot minute, they actually were.
If you grew up during the "Junk Wax" era, you’ve probably got a dusty binder or a shoebox full of 89 Pro Set football cards sitting in your parents' attic. Most of them are worth less than the cardboard they’re printed on. Seriously. You can find unopened boxes at card shows for twenty bucks. But here’s the thing: despite the overproduction, this set is kind of a masterpiece of chaos. It’s filled with Hall of Famers, weird errors, and a design that screams late-80s neon.
The Rookies Everyone Chased (and Still Does)
Most people forget how stacked the 1989 draft class was. We’re talking about the holy trinity of rookies: Barry Sanders, Troy Aikman, and Deion Sanders. Pro Set was smart enough to get these guys into their set, but they were also a mess.
Barry Sanders is the one everyone wants. His card (#494) shows him in his Oklahoma State uniform because, honestly, Pro Set was rushing these things out so fast they couldn't wait for NFL photos. It’s got that bright orange border that makes your eyes bleed. If you have a PSA 10 copy, it’s still worth a decent chunk—somewhere around $180 to $220 lately. Not life-changing money, but not bad for a card that was printed millions of times.
Then you've got Deion Sanders (#486) and Troy Aikman (#490). These cards are the bread and butter of the set. Because they were printed in such high volume, the only way they have real value is if they are "perfect." We’re talking sharp corners, zero surface scratches, and perfect centering. Most 89 Pro Set cards have terrible centering. It’s common to see a card where the border is twice as thick on one side as the other.
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The "Living Set" Nightmare
Pro Set’s founder, Lud Denny, had this crazy idea to make a "living set." Basically, if a player got traded or something big happened during the season, they would just change the card on the fly. No waiting for next year.
This sounds cool in theory. In practice? It created a logistical nightmare and a goldmine for error collectors. They were constantly fixing typos and updating stats. One of the most famous examples is the Stacy Toran card (#193). Toran, a Raiders defensive back, tragically died in a car accident during the season. Pro Set added a black memorial band to his card mid-production.
Why the Errors Drive Collectors Crazy
- The "Gizmo" Williams Mistake: On card #535, they managed to misspell the word "football" on the back. They forgot an 'L'. It's hilarious.
- The Pete Rozelle Card: This isn't an error, but a rare commemorative card of the former commissioner. It was only in Series 1 packs, roughly 1 in every 200.
- The William "Refrigerator" Perry Short Print: He was card #47A, but he was pulled early and replaced by Ron Morris. Finding the Fridge version is actually pretty tough.
Why 2026 is Breathing New Life Into Them
You might wonder why anyone cares about "junk" in 2026. Honestly, it’s nostalgia mixed with the "grading era."
The hobby has shifted. It’s not about having the card anymore; it’s about having the best version of that card. Because 1989 Pro Set had such poor quality control, finding a card that scores a Gem Mint 10 from PSA or BGS is actually quite difficult. There are thousands of Barry Sanders rookies out there, but only a small fraction are truly perfect.
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Also, with the NFL license moving over to Fanatics recently, collectors are looking back at the "originals." Pro Set was the first company to really embrace the "official" NFL shield on every card. They had the holograms. They had the Stat Leader cards. They felt premium at the time, even if they were mass-produced.
Don't Get Fooled by the "Hype"
If you’re looking to buy these today, be careful. You’ll see listings on eBay for "Rare Error" cards with asking prices of $5,000. Don't believe them. Most of those "errors" are just minor print defects that happened on millions of cards.
The only real value in 89 Pro Set football cards comes from:
- High-grade (PSA 10) Hall of Fame rookies.
- Verified, documented variations like the Fredd Young "No Pro Bowl" vs "Pro Bowl" back.
- The Santa Claus promo card that was sent to dealers (it's actually pretty rare).
Honestly, the best way to enjoy this set is to buy a "complete" set for $30 and just flip through it. It’s a time capsule. You’ll see Michael Irvin with his rookie hair, a young Thurman Thomas, and cards of legendary coaches like Chuck Noll and Tom Landry.
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How to Value Your Collection Right Now
If you just dug up a stack of these, start by separating the rookies. Look for Aikman, Barry Sanders, Deion Sanders, Michael Irvin, and Thurman Thomas. If the corners are fuzzy or the colors look faded, they’re probably worth about a nickel.
But if you find one that looks like it was printed yesterday—crisp edges, perfectly centered—it might be worth sending to a grading company. A PSA 9 Barry Sanders might only get you $30, but that jump to a 10 is where the money is. It’s a gamble, though. Grading costs money, and these cards are notoriously hard to "gem."
Actionable Insight for Collectors: If you’re looking to invest in this set, stop looking at raw cards on eBay. Instead, look for unopened "Series 2" boxes. Series 2 is where the big rookies live. Since most of these cards have surface issues from rubbing against each other in the packs, "unopened" is the only way to ensure you're getting a shot at a high grade. Just remember: there are millions of these out there. Buy them because you love the history, not because you think you're going to retire on them.