General Forum

So in trying to amuse myself looking through cheap sets like 90-91 Hoops, I started looking for celebrities in the background of the cards. I noticed that a lot of photos are taken at games in New York and LA, and it got me thinking that I should be able to find a card with Spike Lee in the background at a Knicks game. I really would love to find one because him getting involved in the Knicks-Pacers back in the day was so fun to watch happen and added to perhaps the most entertaining series I ever watched/paid attention to. I really thought I would be able to find one because he was/is their superfan in front row seats, but I have not been able to. Has anyone ever found such a card? I did notice at times some faces of fans are blurred and not sure the exact reason why they do that in some cards but not others.

And does anyone know of any other cards with celebrities or anyone even marginally famous in the stands? I'm talking all the way down to the F-list, people who were in that show The Surreal Life, etc.

I know of the Menendez brothers card and another Hoops card with Paula Abdul in the background (and I think she is sitting next to another famous person, potentially a member of Boyz II Men but its not clear). I'm really interested in cards not staged or ones like that Jeter card with "Dubya" inserted into the background.

Spike Lee is supposedly cheering in the background of this card [1]. Although, I am not sure if it was ever confirmed.

[1] https://www.tcdb.com/ViewCard.cfm/sid/2615/cid/659914/1997-98-Collector's-Choice-94-Chris-Childs

I wonder if Paula Abdul is on any cards from her Lakers cheerleading days.

Hell yes! that's confirmed. and it's got the added bonus of having my favorite player ever in a cameo, Hakeem (except in the horrid uniform they did year after championship). Thank you!! I need this card now.

Might be Paula on the right side, but it is hard to tell and she apparently left in 1986 [1, 2].

[1] https://www.tcdb.com/ViewCard.cfm/sid/2070/cid/618746/1987-88-Fleer---Stickers-1-Magic-Johnson?PageIndex=1

[2] https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-02-12-ca-2808-story.html

I have a Hoops card that i believe shows Maury Povich & Connie Chung sitting in the front row. I will try to find the card when i get home to give the year and card #

Geeze, check out this quote from that LA Tines article on Paula:

“Forever Your Girl,” established her as one of the best of the flock of pretty dance-music queens."

This journalist sure has a way with words and women too. What a perfect time capsule of a quote. 

There's the Patrick Kane pre-rookie card:  https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/blackhawks/ct-patrick-kane-hockey-card-htmlstory.html

Olajuwon!!!

Hockey players don't count. Just kidding. I remembered hearing about that card but had no clue who the kid was in the pic. If I was into hockey, this card would be cool.