Small rant on the state of signings nowadays

[Seven]

I want to preface this by saying I fully understand that people have the right to charge whatever they want for their signature, it's a free market economy after all.

For the life of me though, it's mind boggling how expensive getting a players autograph is now. Especially from most of the people in the upper echelon of the sport. Everyone seemingly has exclusive contracts with Tristar or Fanatics and charge an arm and leg for everything. I understand that "$10 in 1985 is X today" but even adjusting for inflation the prices are absurd. Never mind children being able to get something signed by their current favorite player or a legend of the game, I don't know how adults afford this.

There was an article in the LA Times in the 1980's detailing the prices of signings and how they were getting "out of hand," which I linked below:

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-...-92-story.html

But even then it states that:

"During a recent show at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, patrons paid $20 each for Mantle, Williams and Muhammad Ali autographs, $11 for ex-Dodger pitcher Sandy Koufax and $10 for all-time hit leader Pete Rose"

Those five names alone are absolute legends of the sport, even adjusting for inflation, you're talking about 50 dollars a head for Ali, Mantle and Williams. Nowadays? If you want a Jersey signed by Tom Brady, you have to get it through Tri-Stars exclusive set up and it will run you at least 1K. If you want Joe Montana to sign something with Tom Brady's auto already on it he's charging $1500. I understand it's become a business but this isn't affordable at all. And sure some people will pay these prices but you feel for the masses out there that can't afford to drop a thousand dollars just so they can get something signed by their favorite athlete. Where do we go from here?

Rant over, slightly larger than I planned, but It needs to be said!

[HOF Auto Rookies]

It is pretty sad and a complete joke how much they charge. I get it, but some casual fans would like an affordable piece of history from a legend and they literally can't. I have so many items I would love to add some special athletes to, but no way in hell I'll pony up that kind of money.

[Snapolit1]

People will charge what people will pay.

If there is a line at $195, the price may go to $250.

Like most things, a large % of the folks on line for autographs are not fans of the player or collectors but just looking to turn it around and make a buck on eBay or somewhere else.

Used to be a quirky thing some fans did. Now it's a business model.

[Seven]

Originally Posted by HOF Auto Rookies

It is pretty sad and a complete joke how much they charge. I get it, but some casual fans would like an affordable piece of history from a legend and they literally can't. I have so many items I would love to add some special athletes to, but no way in hell I'll pony up that kind of money.

My sentiments exactly. There are certain items I would absolutely love to have signed. And don't get me wrong there are current and former players that are still affordable. You even get guys like Bobby Hull that in my opinion, does the right thing. I think he only charges $60 for Jerseys which in this market is incredibly cheap.

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

People will charge what people will pay.

If there is a line at $195, the price may go to $250.

Like most things, a large % of the folks on line for autographs are not fans of the player or collectors but just looking to turn it around and make a buck on eBay or somewhere else.

Used to be a quirky thing some fans did. Now it's a business model.

I would agree Steve. It was something nice to have and collect, and now it's become a complete business model. I understand why too. It is, what it is.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Don't even get me started.

And for $1500 or whatever it costs for Tom Brady, he can take the time to write every letter. He should have to take calligraphy class and write like Gene Lillard every single time. Every single inscription. Every little nuance should be perfect. If there's even the slightest blemish, it's a do-over at his cost.

The tired excuse of "kids aren't taught cursive in school anymore" doesn't apply to that old man.

[carlsonjok]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

People will charge what people will pay.

If there is a line at $195, the price may go to $250.

Like most things, a large % of the folks on line for autographs are not fans of the player or collectors but just looking to turn it around and make a buck on eBay or somewhere else.

Used to be a quirky thing some fans did. Now it's a business model.

This is pretty much it. Autographs have been a business for a decent amount of time now and it isn't the athletes that have created that business. They are just trying to capture back some of the value in their name. To a certain extent, their signature is their intellectual property.

[Seven]

Originally Posted by carlsonjok

They are just trying to capture back some of the value in their name. To a certain extent, their signature is their intellectual property.

I feel like that certainly can be a fair assessment for players who played long ago, when salaries were nowhere near what they are today. But for someone like Mike Trout for an Example to charge $700 for a signed baseball when he is sitting on a $400 million dollar contract, it just rubs me the wrong way a little. Especially with his signature. Looks like a random scribble!

[swarmee]

So why not get an autographed Montana card for $100 instead? Leaf just put a whole bunch on the market through their Art of Sport release.

Or $300 for a Trout auto card? You don't have to pay to get items signed. You can get their autograph much cheaper if you choose to.

[Seven]

Originally Posted by swarmee

So why not get an autographed Montana card for $100 instead? Leaf just put a whole bunch on the market through their Art of Sport release.

Or $300 for a Trout auto card? You don't have to pay to get items signed. You can get their autograph much cheaper if you choose to.

John,

I think you bring up a good point, I was referring more to having the experience of having them sign an item of yours in person, or maybe having them sign an item of significance for you. The counterargument would be that your paying for the experience + them signing an item of your choosing, but I still think the prices have gone a little haywire. The idea you presented is a very cost friendly one though.

[carlsonjok]

Originally Posted by Seven

I feel like that certainly can be a fair assessment for players who played long ago, when salaries were nowhere near what they are today. But for someone like Mike Trout for an Example to charge $700 for a signed baseball when he is sitting on a $400 million dollar contract, it just rubs me the wrong way a little. Especially with his signature. Looks like a random scribble!

Coming back to this a bit late, but a great philosopher once said "Poor man wanna be rich, rich man wanna be king. And a king ain't satisfied till he rules everything."

[gonefishin]

Short story. I was looking through my autograph collection a few weeks ago and came across my Ron Cey autographed rookie, 73 Topps. I thought why not see if I can get Schmidt's and Hilton's autograph also - sounded good. I first checked for Schmidt's signing. I found where he was doing an in-person signing and you could also send in the item. I forget exactly the amounts, and I'm sickened to look it up again, but he was charging let's say $250 for a simple autograph (no inscription, etc.). The price for him to sign his 73 Topps was about 2-3 times higher! I couldn't believe it! I quickly erased that thought from my mind and decided it wasn't happening. This thread made me remember how horrible I thought that was. If you're paying x amount for a simple autograph - what does it matter what he/she is signing! Same amount of time, etc.

[mr2686]

Originally Posted by carlsonjok

Coming back to this a bit late, but a great philosopher once said "Poor man wanna be rich, rich man wanna be king. And a king ain't satisfied till he rules everything."

I bet that great philosopher went out and proved it all night, too. LOL

[Bcwcardz]

My parents thought Pete Rose was too much at $15 back in 84-85. My Mom got his auto for free in the early 70s. Different times I guess. I remember when Joe Montana went to $150 some years ago and I thought that was crazy. If I get to meet the player I guess you can justify the price. If it’s just a signing where you mail the stuff off, no way. People were paying over 1500 for a Robert Downey Jr auto with inscription and it was a mail away deal. I’m sure it sold out too.


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