Koufax/Brady private signings

[Exhibitman]

I only collect and sell cards, and in that context, the prices make limited sense. Koufax has been an autograph guest at shows for decades. If you just want an autographed card, there are hundreds out there at any given time available for a lot less. Where it does make sense to get them signed would be on the rookie and on a rare card that might be a 1/1 when the inevitable happens and Koufax passes away.

What is going on, really, is a cycle of price escalation. The price of having an item signed has been raised every time and the asking prices for signed cards have been adjusted accordingly. A few months later, Harlan Werner (Koufax's longstanding agent for signings) raises the price on the signings and the sellers raise too. If Shelly is right that they are not selling out, we may have reached the price point where the market is saying "enough".

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

If Shelly is right that they are not selling out, we may have reached the price point where the market is saying "enough".

And it's about time.

[drcy]

I'm sure many athletes have seen autographs they sign for free show up on ebay for sale the next day, so have little sympathy for those say they should be obligated to sign for cheap.

If they're greedy, they are being no more greedy than most collectors and many fans.

[doug.goodman]

Originally Posted by drcy

I'm sure many athletes have seen autographs they sign for free show up on ebay for sale the next day, so have little sympathy for those say they should be obligated to sign for cheap.

If they're greedy, they are being no more greedy than most collectors and many fans.

Koufax made less money in his career than the current major league minimum.

And he spent many years signing anything sent to him for free.

Now that stuff sells for crazy amounts good for him charging what he charges.

If 75 first win or debut programs / tickets even exist, and they take up all the available spots, he stands to make more than he made in his career, and still less than Conner Capel made last season.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Originally Posted by doug.goodman

And he spent many years signing anything sent to him for free.

Well, let's say he picked up the slack on whatever his sister, Charlie the Brow and the other ghost signers didn't get around to signing on his behalf.

[dgo71]

Originally Posted by doug.goodman

Koufax made less money in his career than the current major league minimum.

In Connor Capel's defense, inflation over the last 60 or so years has gone up exponentially more than salaries. The $125K Sandy made in 1966 equates to about $1.2M today. Koufax has not struggled financially.

Still, the guy is nearing 90 and if he doesn't need/want to sign stuff, he's definitely free to charge whatever he feels makes it worth his time. The market will simply bear it or it won't. If the latter, there won't be any more Koufax signings. Good on him if he can get it, that's the free market working as intended.

[packs]

Athletes always cry about money from a bygone era but they forget they were the equivalent of millionaires in their time.

Like the 1966 salary example. Koufax made $125,000. The average individual income in 1966 was just under $4,300.