Athlete Signings

By Dee Dee Smith

Many sports fans collect memorabilia for either a hobby or as an investment.  A very popular collectible in the industry is that of athlete’s signatures.  At one time signatures were mostly obtained by simply asking the athlete for an autograph.  Over the years, the market has changed considerably.  Although many fans still get autographs the old fashioned way, others have built their collection through both private and public signings. 

Signings at Sporting Events

In the past, fans would attend games with hopes of getting their favorite players autograph.  Although some athletes are still willing to give free autographs, it can be quite a challenge to actually get to the player and get their attention.  Nonetheless, there are some things you can and should do to better increase your chances. 

Your pursuit should begin with a plan of action.  Remember, you may only have seconds to get the players attention, so you’ll need to be ready at any moment.  First decide what item you want the player to sign.  This should be something that is convenient and easy to write on.  Stay away from items like jerseys, towels, hats and helmets as they can be difficult to sign without a table.  It is much easier to get a player to sign a photo, event program or team roster.  Also, don't forget to have a pen (permanent ink!) with you.

In pursuing an autograph, it’s important to remember that the main concern of the athlete is the game at hand.  Although some may be willing to give autographs from the bench, it is probably best to strive to talk with your favorite player either before or after the game.  This can be done during the warm up, or as players are exiting the stadium or arena.  Players may also be more apt to sign autographs at a pre-season training camp as it is a more relaxed and non-competitive environment. 

Pursuing an autograph on your own is excellent if you are collecting as a hobby and not as an investor.  With problems of fake signatures and forgeries, it may be difficult to sell or of little value without proper authentication.   

Arranged or Scheduled Signings

Sports collectible conventions, trade shows and sports retail stores often provide opportunities for athlete signings.  Many of these signings are geared toward a specific sport (such as baseball), a collectible item (such as sports cards) or an individual athlete.   There are both pros and cons to obtaining autographs this way.  A big plus is that you get to meet and possibly take a photo with your favorite player.  More importantly, these scheduled signings provide for product and item authentication, thus increasing the value of your memorabilia.  Nonetheless, public signings mean more items on the market, and the more saturated the market, the less valuable the memorabilia.  Additionally, there are often long lines and lots of waiting for your chance to meet the celebrity.  You will also need to stand in a long line to have your signature authenticated. 

Several athletes participate in charitable athlete signings.  Pro Football Hall of Famers recently participated in a large charitable signing to benefit the Las Vegas Girls & Boys Club.  These Hall of Famers signed thousands of balls for charity.  To find out more about charitable celebrity signings, visit the website of the sports league, team, player or player’s foundation.

Private Signings

Many reputable sports dealers have contractual agreements with individual athletes.  These companies pay these athletes to come to their office and sign various items.  These are not public appearances, but instead fans are given the opportunity to pre-order signed items or to mail in items for signing.  A third party witnesses the signing and a Certificate of Authenticity is provided to ensure the consumer that this is truly the athlete’s signature.  Companies typically offer information on their websites concerning upcoming private signings.  Many also send out mailings or newsletters to their customers to inform them of upcoming signings.  Yogi Berra, Vince Carter, Michael Jordan, Jason Kidd, Joe Namath and Derek Jeter have all participated in private signings.   If you have a favorite team or player, you should also check their websites for schedules of appearances and signings. 

For several respected sports memorabilia dealers, private signings are also their source for building and growing their inventory.  If you cannot make it to a public or private signing, consider purchasing an autographed item from a seasoned dealer like SportsMemorabilia.com. 

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