Should Athletes Charge For Their Autograph?
We have promoted several autograph shows over the past few years and the question we always hear is, "Why would a multi-millionaire charge for his/her autograph?"
Some people feel that it is not ethical to charge for an autograph -- or resell it.
These people are misinformed.
Athletes like Joe Montana and Jerry Rice MUST sell their autograph. There is a huge demand for their autographs worldwide and people pay for their signed items. If they didn't charge for it, people would make millions of dollars selling their items on eBay and they (the celebrity) would make nothing!
Have you ever seen a celebrity somewhere and you feel kind of embarrased to go up to them and ask for their autograph? That is the great thing about autograph shows. You are paying a fee and you are entitled to a perfect autograph on any item you choose. You don't feel embarrased because you are paying a fee and the celebrity is now required to sign your item however you like.
I think most people who scoff at professional athletes who charge for their autograph are mostly jealous because their "autograph" is worth nothing so they conclude that everybody's autograph should be worth nothing, therefore, when athletes charge for their autograph it doesn't seem right to them.
For most retired athletes, autograph signings are a very strong stream of income for them. Remember, they don't get the big salary they used to get. Most players are on a much tighter budget after retiring from professional sports.
Do you think it is wrong for athletes to charge for their autograph? If you do, we want to hear from you! Do you think they should charge $195+ for their autograph at shows if the demand is there? Do you think congress should pass a law prohibiting athletes to charge for their autograph?
Our position is clear. Athletes should be able to charge whatever the market will bear without feeling bad about it. Just like Bill Gates should be able to sell as many shares of Microsoft as he wants, whenever he wants.
7 Comments:
THE AUTOGRAPH BUSINESS IS BOOMING.IN A TIME WHEN WE WENT THROUGH A SO CALLED DEPRESSION IN 2001 AND 2002 MANY MAJOR MEMORABILIA COMPANYS CLAIMED TO REACH RECORD SELLS IN THOSE YEARS.IF YOU A INVESTOR THIS IS THE SAFEST THING YOU CAN BUY IS MEMORABILIA.MEMORABILIA DOESNT CRASH LIKE THE STOCK MARKET.THE SO CALLED BABY BOOMERS ARE COMING OF AGE AND SPENDING BIG BUCKS ON TODAYS HEROES AND YESTERDAYS STARS SO WHY NOT CHARGE FOR AN AUTOGRAPH.LIKE AA SAID MOST OF THE OLD TIMERS MADE VERY LITTLE AND DEPEND ON SIGNINGS TO LIVE AND EAT.YOU WOULD BE SUPRISED ON HOW MANY OLD SCHOOL HALL OF FAMERS WORK A NORMAL JOB LIKE YOU AND ME AND LIVE CHECK TO CHECK AND ONLY DO THE SIGNINGS BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO
got no problem with it. get it when you can while you can. the problem is that when you pay a ridiculous price for someone like montana's signature, let me see him sign it. make him talk to me, shake my hand, be greatful for my money- i worked hard for it, just like he did. but don't just let my item slide down the table as i pass mr. montana and wave like he's a monkey at the zoo and he just sits and talks to the other monkeys sitting behind the table as it is raised beyond a reasonable height. and then i either wait at the other end of the table for my item, or my item waits for me. if anything treat me like a customer you'd hate to lose. i did just spend more money than an ipod on your signature.
mike
It's funny...athletes and stars get put off by so many requests for autographs unless of course they get paid for them. I'm all for making a living,but when your living requires the public or the adulation of the public and you turn around and treat them like crap; that's just not right. If you don't want to be bothered, get a real job! That way the only people that "bother" you are the ones you feed.
Don't mind letting the stars charge but come on. A big fan of Montana and Rice, spending about $100+ to get my ball signed but wouldn't even talk to me, Montana and Rice are like heroes to us. They are probably the best WR and QB of all-time and if all goes well, would love to meet them again, had an experience before where I just wanted to ask Montana a question but was asked to move a long, the price should be reasonable as well. But with prices that high, they should treat collector's like us a lot better, though
I have no issue with most athletes charging, however I agree certain athletes have gotten crazy. Why would I go to a show to get Montana to sign a helmet or mini helmet, feel like a cow being pushed down the line, just to see the top of his thinning head as I walk by? For $185??? Truth is I can get the same item for less from reputable ebay dealers (note I said reputable, there are several) with NO hassle. Greed is pushing the show experience to the negative side.
yeah i agree,public shows sux.i hate them its all about "keep the line moving"some even charge 10-20 bucks to take a picture of you leaning over the table to shake hands and that after you pay to get in some show.they should be free to get into.i addmit shows with lesser name superstars are much better because often times they are run better belive it or not and players are often in less of a rush to get back to there manison's and like to interact with there fans because without us they wouldnt have jobs and thats often forgotten by the retirered hall of famer.if youve never been to a show and your planning on going to one to meet your hero dont do it,its not what you think.buy something on ebay from someone you feel you can trust or use a mail order for a show
Getting athlete’s autographs at shows is becoming more of a negative experience rather than a positive. They need to be friendlier towards fans/collectors and respect the items, time standing in line (not to mention some fans drive hours to get there) and money spent to attain the autograph. The prices are way too high!!!! Sometimes a fan will want 2 or 3 autos from the same player or multiple players at the same show but who can afford $100+ per auto. On top of that most athletes want more $ for inscriptions. I am also sick of hearing how older athletes didn’t make the money like today’s athlete. It should be pointed out that they still made well above the average Americans salary at that time. In the end, I think the athletes should charge for their auto - just keep it reasonable in price, friendly and respectful towards the fan/item (i.e. handle the item with care) and it wouldn’t hurt to toss in 1 free inscription.
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