Profiting on Autographs

[interpathway 9]

Just saw this over at THN.com, pretty upsetting what some people are trying to do with star players and their most eager (and oftentimes young, I am sure) fans...

http://thehockeynews.com/articles/20827-Th...collecting.html

Any Edmonton fans here at the Gagner and Cogliano signing? Horrible.

[dsjunior1388 81]

I;ve never been a fan of autorgraphs, going back to when I was about 8 and read Rick Reilly wrote a column about it. I would much rather shake a guys hand and chat for a little bit about hockey than have him right his name and possibly assume im going to sell it. a picture of the two of us would be so much cooler than him writing his name

[roller to ice 0]

although i do love buying and getting autographs it is thousands of times better to see the guy sign it himself and meet him and i agree w/ dsjunior a picture w/ me and a player would be much better than him signing something

[JR Boucicaut 3801]

All of my autographed memorabilia that I have collected over the years have either been because I know the player or it was something given to me that is personalized.

[mrusse01 0]

Earlier this season, young Edmonton Oilers stars Sam Gagner and Andrew Cogliano were put in the odd situation of signing autographs at a memorabilia show without realizing their fans were getting charged $25 per signature for the honor. The two sophomores weren’t aware of the fee until they were actually at the show and by that time, they were caught in a catch-22: disappoint their fans by walking away or stay and give them the impression hockey players aren’t satisfied with the pay they get for their day jobs.

Couldn't they have just told the organizer to go fuck himself and then go outside and sign for free?

I liked autographs as a kid I guess, but now I wouldn't really even think of buying anything autographed that I wouldn't buy if it weren't autographed, and like other people have said, a picture is way cooler.

I also noticed a very strange memorabilia thing at the Leafs game the other day....when the 3 stars come out, it had been kind of a tradition for the player to throw his stick to a fan, but when I was there at the Isles games all three Leafs came out with some kind of stupid wood stick, and threw that into the crowd. What gives with that? Is it guys not wanting to give up their stick? Teams not wanting to spend the money on the good OPS? It was weird.

[TBLfan 25]

All my autographs have been given to me and most are of baseball just like Mays, Bench and family friend Lou Piniella. Not a big fan of autographs, met and been on ice with a few pros, no biggie. The best experience is realizing how similar they are to all my hockey friends and teammates.

It's a shame this is happening, but it's been going on for a while... The Lightning had a fan fest this season with most of the players signing items or photos they had on-hand. The only one that was really excluded from the hallways of the forum was Lecavalier. His signings were reserved for season ticket holders.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

I'm not one for autographs. I had Ovey sign a puck, and my wife got me a semin puck signed (as part of a ticket package.

Those are my caps mancrushes. I'll probably try to get a photo with Fedorov though too, while he is still with the caps. He is such a hockey icon, how could you not

[interpathway 9]

Those are my caps mancrushes.

You've got some competition here.

[Rustpot 1]

The only way I could see paying would be if they took your picture at the booth and printed a glossy 8x10 for the pro to sign and personalize. I'm not sure how that would work as it would probably take too long, but that's something I'd pay $20 for.

When I was a kid I had $10 and wanted a signed puck from the Red Wings and went down to the local (closed up LONG ago) hockey memerobilia store. I couldn't afford most of the guys I wanted (Yzerman namely). I was so excited to get my Keith Primeau signed puck, though looking back 15 years later I'm pretty darn sure it's a forgery unless he signs his first name only :D

[roller to ice 0]

The only way I could see paying would be if they took your picture at the booth and printed a glossy 8x10 for the pro to sign and personalize. I'm not sure how that would work as it would probably take too long, but that's something I'd pay $20 for.

When I was a kid I had $10 and wanted a signed puck from the Red Wings and went down to the local (closed up LONG ago) hockey memerobilia store. I couldn't afford most of the guys I wanted (Yzerman namely). I was so excited to get my Keith Primeau signed puck, though looking back 15 years later I'm pretty darn sure it's a forgery unless he signs his first name only :D

that is one of the most depressing stories i have ever heard lmao

[fastmiele 59]

Earlier this season, young Edmonton Oilers stars Sam Gagner and Andrew Cogliano were put in the odd situation of signing autographs at a memorabilia show without realizing their fans were getting charged $25 per signature for the honor. The two sophomores weren’t aware of the fee until they were actually at the show and by that time, they were caught in a catch-22: disappoint their fans by walking away or stay and give them the impression hockey players aren’t satisfied with the pay they get for their day jobs.

Couldn't they have just told the organizer to go fuck himself and then go outside and sign for free?

I liked autographs as a kid I guess, but now I wouldn't really even think of buying anything autographed that I wouldn't buy if it weren't autographed, and like other people have said, a picture is way cooler.

I also noticed a very strange memorabilia thing at the Leafs game the other day....when the 3 stars come out, it had been kind of a tradition for the player to throw his stick to a fan, but when I was there at the Isles games all three Leafs came out with some kind of stupid wood stick, and threw that into the crowd. What gives with that? Is it guys not wanting to give up their stick? Teams not wanting to spend the money on the good OPS? It was weird.

In no way am I fan/supporter of these high charges for autographs at sports memorbilia events, but I would like to shed more light on the situation.

In this particular situation, I am pretty sure that Sam Gagner and Andrew Cogliano were paid to show up and sign autographs. If anything I blame the team. A number of years ago, I think each player on the Toronto Maple Leafs were obligated to attend three public autograph signing/appearances for free. I don't remember the team obligating players to attend private autograph events. Management should go into discussion with the entire team about private autograph appearances (pros and cons).

Many years ago, I was lining up at a free autograph signing for Montreal Canadien's goalie Patrick Roy at a private sports memoribilia store. After 2 hours the security guards said that the session was over, many fans including myself were very disappointed for waiting in line for such a long time and came out empty handed. A number of fans became irrate and started chirping at the store/staff about their poor service, etc. I guess one of the managers lost it and came forth and started giving it back to the fans yelling at how lucky they were even given a free opportunity. I will never forget it but he said "do you know how much I had to pay to get Patrick Roy to attend" ? The other staff had to hold back the manager. It kind of opened my eyes a bit. Nothing is free, and its a business. The store legitimately paid to have the player(s) to attend, took a big financial risk, so why should they not have the opportunity to make some money ?

A number of months ago I saw some seller on ebay selling 8 X 10 photos autographed by Wade Belak for something like $20. I kind of scoffed at $20, but the seller said that they paid a pretty sum for him to attend and not enough people showed up and they ended up taking a loss.

Take your chances I guess.

Lastly, I was with this fan one time and applauded a $10 signing fee per each item. Hmmm. I couldn't understand his logic/view. I asked him why and he said that you need ORDER and CONTROL. With no fee, the amount of people showing up could lead to disorder/disaster. I remember many years ago the Toronto Raptors gave free admission to the upper upper level (500 level) at the Skydome/Rogers Centre for a preseason game. Fans lined up early and when too many people showed up, they became restless and started leaning on the doors and kept pushing. Eventually a crazy mobbing effect happened and people broke down the front doors and a made a rush for seats. These seats cost $5. I guess a similar thing to compare to is the Walmart disaster and the shoppers breaking downing the doors and running over/killing the staff.

[jrhky36 1]

I'm not one for autographs. I had Ovey sign a puck, and my wife got me a semin puck signed (as part of a ticket package.

Those are my caps mancrushes. I'll probably try to get a photo with Fedorov though too, while he is still with the caps. He is such a hockey icon, how could you not

just make sure he having a "good" hair day. past experience with him.

[chk hrd 164]

My kid has an amazing baseball collection (Mantle, Rose, Ryan, Dimagio plus alot more) his grandfather gave him that he could care less about. He has alot of autographs that he has gotten from meeting hockey players that mean alot to him. These guys are his heroes and it gives him something to reflect back on and the experience he had meeting them.

Charging for autographs is wrong and getting and autograph to sell is even worse. Every year when they have have a Pro-am tourney here they make sure and toss any autograp hunters so it doesn't spoil it for the kids who really want them

[interpathway 9]

autograph hunters

How can someone identify these guys though?

[Rustpot 1]

autograph hunters

How can someone identify these guys though?

Older guys, stacks of 8x10s and other things to be signed, sometimes have no interest in talking about the people they're getting the auto from. You can tell who's excited, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and who's treating it like a job.

Those guys selling 8x10s and pucks on ebay don't show up with one item, their return wouldn't be worth the trip in most cases.

[pantherfan 0]

From what I've seen it's ussually the mid-40's guy carrying multiple photos, blades and sticks etc.

[brettlynch11 0]

I think an autograph is kind of proof that you met the person. I would never buy something that was autographed just for the fact that it was autographed. And I prefer a handshake anyway. When I met Steve Yzerman thats all I asked for.

[Chadd 916]

My baseball collection was a gift from my father. He ended up with dozens of balls signed by HOF'ers he met at work and at the various all star games. At one point he simply gave them to me rather than wait until he passed on. I see them as a gift from him, but the balls and signatures are meaningless to me. My memories are tied to the nights where we sat and listened to stories from many of those guys, and others that nobody remembers, over a few drinks the night before the annual golf tournament.

I never really got the autograph thing though. I know I met the guy/girl and hopefully shared a moment. There's no need to prove it, let alone try and turn that encounter into a profit center. I wish athletes would sign anything and everything, that would devalue the signed items and hopefully make it something people keep because it means something.