The Great American Pursuit: A Study of Athlete Signing Fees 1970s-present

[Mr. Zipper]

Originally Posted by travrosty

wow, dimag got 1st class airfare paid to go to the signing. he's going top shelf all the way!

DiMaggio would trade in the first class ticket for coach and pocket the difference. Then when he showed up at the gate with a coach ticket, he would usually get comped back into first class anyway. He really knew how to work the system.

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by Mr. Zipper

DiMaggio would trade in the first class ticket for coach and pocket the difference. Then when he showed up at the gate with a coach ticket, he would usually get comped back into first class anyway. He really knew how to work the system.

Despite what many thought he was not a very classy guy.
Would squeeze two nickels together for an hour if he thought he could get a quarter out of it.

[1880nonsports]

while it's interesting once in a while to watch two or three dogs trying to wrestle each other to the ground on the internet (well maybe not) - this is is what I come here for - autograph and memorabilia discussions and banter - along with a backstory and a few side angles that relate to the game of baseball......

[Duluth Eskimo]

This thread proves why prices have gone up. Because people are willing to pay it. It has very little to do with what a player is charging, unless he is a recent HOFer or a current player. The promoter is always the one setting the fee unless the player is doing the signing on his own and paid for his booth.

Back in the 80's and 90's if a player like Mantle or DiMaggio was charging 50k, the promoter would divide that by the number of signatures the player could / would sign (say 1000) and that was your fee ($50).

Nowadays the promoter thinks what will 200 rubes pay for player X and how can I maximize my profits. Say the player charges 10k to do the signing and the promoter can get 200 people to pay $59 per autograph, then they are already ahead. Now the promoter will still get his 800-1000 signatures out of the player meaning the promoter can wholesale the rest and make even more profit or wholesale some and keep another 300 items to sell himself. Either way he is making great money because those 200 people paid the whole bill.

I am rounding numbers, but that is the game. If more people knew it, they would not pay those prices and the autograph hobby would be better off.

Bottom line is back in the day the promoter was hoping to break even on the appearance fee or make a little or get a little bit signed for resale. Now, it's rape and pillage time.

This doesn't go for all promoters, but the prices at the national and most big shows it does. Wake up and smell the coffee!

PS: many players will still show up for a very small fee and a first class ticket

[Exhibitman]

This was around $12-$15 as I recall:

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

This was around $12-$15 as I recall:

Adam,
Aaron actually charged $25 at this show. I attended it as well. I knew the guys at Ball Park Promotions- they were in Orange, CA.
That was the most I had paid for anyone but Mantle at that point for a paid signing (Mantle was $50).

FWIW, $25 now seems like a bargain, plus you actually could somewhat read Aaron's sig...

[mr2686]

Originally Posted by Scott Garner

Adam,
Aaron actually charged $25 at this show. I attended it as well. I knew the guys at Ball Park Promotions- they were in Orange, CA.
That was the most I had paid for anyone but Mantle at that point for a paid signing (Mantle was $50).

FWIW, $25 now seems like a bargain, plus you actually could somewhat read Aaron's sig...

I was at the same show, and you're right, Aaron was $25. Although prices are much different now, it's nice to know his personalitiy hasn't changed over the years.

[shelly]

Tommy Lasorda has his pants made so he cant reach the bottom of his pockets.

[cjedmonton]

Great tales, keep em' coming!

[shelly]

I was the first to have Mantle on the West Coast. 10 dollars and got hate mail. Lefty Gomez 6 Banks 5 Joe Torre showed up signed for free.

[Wymers Auction]

I have really enjoyed reading this thread. I remember going to Riverfront stadium and waiting by the cage where the players exit. Some of them would sign for free some of the nice people I met were Jack McKeon, Eddie Taubensee, Aaron Boone, Ron Oester, and more. I recently went to a show where Johnny Bench signed in 3 tier price ranges of 40/60/80. Pretty reasonable for such a great player.