The New York Times puts their two cents into the Jeter memorabilia story

[packs]

Can someone who is of the opinion that the fans are driving market prices explain their point of view a little more? I just don't see it. If athletes didn't charge, the market would be tiny. You would find the occasional fan purchasing an out of town athlete's signature every once in a while, sure. But i am of the opinion that prices are driven higher the more an athlete charges for their signature. Deceased players do not factor into the equation.

I am also not a hater of the card show. I think signings at card shows are fantastic. It's great to have the opportunity to meet so many otherwise inaccessible players. I do not fault a player at all for charging money for his time at a card show. However, I think the problem of excessive fees is disheartening. Although I don't think its as wide spread as Steiner. I usually only attend the White Plains shows and I usually don't have an issue with the fee any of their guests charge. Many times they have multiple free autograph guests at each show. Great operation.

[mark evans]

I can respond for myself. Steiner/Jeter/Yankees can only charge what fans will pay. If no one pays their asking price, say $500 for a ball, then the price will almost certainly be reduced.

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by packs

Can someone who is of the opinion that the fans are driving market prices explain their point of view a little more? I just don't see it. If athletes didn't charge, the market would be tiny. You would find the occasional fan purchasing an out of town athlete's signature every once in a while, sure. But i am of the opinion that prices are driven higher the more an athlete charges for their signature.

Think of it this way. If there was only 1 fan that wanted to pay for 1 autograph from a group of 100 athletes, the price would be zero after the first sale. The athletes would be competing to sell the cheapest signature. However, if there was only 1 athlete signing 1 autograph for 100 fans, there would be a bidding war among the fans for it. The athlete would sell his autograph for the highest price.

It is really about supply and demand. The flip side is if the athlete saturated the market with his signature, he would dilute the market and the price would drop. It takes two to tango.

But the fans do have the ability to drive the market. If no one bought Jeter's dirt, the price would be zero.