🏈 Big Alabama Signing in Huntsville

[Duder]

Figured I'd post this here in case anyone is interested--May 13-15 in Huntsville at Parkway Place Mall the following players will be singing:

Julio Jones will be there but time and price are not finalized yet.

Ken Stabler - Friday 7 p.m.
Flat / Mini-Helmet Autograph = $50
Helmet / Jersey / Football Autograph = $75
Inscription = $25
Photo Op = $65
Photo Op with Autograph = $100

Greg McElroy - Saturday 11:30 a.m.
ANY Item Autograph = $25
Photo Op = $40
Photo Op with Autograph = $50

Mark Ingram - Saturday 1 p.m.
Flat Autograph = $85
Mini-Helmet / Football Autograph = $100
Helmet / Jersey Autograph = $125
Inscription = $35
Photo Op with Trophy = $100
Photo Op with Trophy and Autograph = $150

Terrence Cody - Saturday 3 p.m.
ANY Item Autograph = $25
Photo Op = $40
Photo Op with Autograph = $50

Javier Arenas - Saturday 4 p.m.
ANY Item Autograph = $20
Photo Op = $40
Photo Op with Autograph = $50

Some of the fees are a touch over the top and I'm shocked that people are starting to charge to take pictures at these signings now but none the less, here is the info.

 

[psychojoe]

Sounds like some of the guys are anticipating a long lockout for the NFL.

 

[TerryP]

I wonder what you have to pay in taxes for events like this...take Mark as example. Photo op with the trophy at a C-note...say he sells 100. How much does Uncle Sam get?

 

[Duder]

Sounds like some of the guys are anticipating a long lockout for the NFL.

Crazy, eh? I guess I can't blame them. If someone would pay me $100 to take a pic I'd damn sure let them. This stuff just shocks me. I grew up going to Alabama and Auburn events and have a ton of superstars that signed stuff for free. Hell, Stabler recently gave me his home address and told me to send him something and he'd sign and return it to replace a football he signed for me at an event my employer put on for us; he is a really good guy. Anyway, Cody, Arenas and GMac aren't charging horrible amounts but Ingram's is excessive and god knows how much Julio will charge--his fee and time have not been finalized.

 

[JoshB]

I was under the impression that the place holding the signings (the Mall in this case) comes up with the prices, they just pay the athletes a certain amount to show up and sign. Maybe Im wrong.

 

[Duder]

I was under the impression that the place holding the signings (the Mall in this case) comes up with the prices, they just pay the athletes a certain amount to show up and sign. Maybe Im wrong.

I believe generally you are correct. When I say the players charging, I'm referring to the fee in general. Dares was paid 5K for his two hours at Madison Square Mall. University Collectibles, the people that organized it, set the fees in order to recoup their money and naturally, profit.

GT Sports Marketing is the parent group for this signing. I don't know who footed the bill to organize it all, perhaps GTSM is just renting the space and they set the fees and such? I don't blame the guys at all for making their money, but Cam (starts at $125) and Ingram's fees seem a bit much to me. If I were going I'd probably get the lower tiered ones and call it a day. On the AU side, Fairley and Adams get reasonable rates.

 

[RollTideinGA]

I worked for a guy that held some of these signings as security when I was stationed in Washington DC. The atheletes charge the location an appearance fee (well their agent mostly) and the store charges the public what they see fit to make a profit. Most of the times the players are not aware what the fan has paid.

I had an interesting exchange with Barry Sanders when he did a signing when he asked me if I was going to ask for his autograph after the event when I escorted him to the back of the sotre so he could sign some private items before eleaving the store. I told him no it was too expensive, and he asked how much it was, and when I told him he was kind of shocked. I think he tried to do some quick math in his head on how many people he had seen that day. He signed an 8x10 for me and told me that one was on him and if they charged me for it to send him the bill. Too bad I lost that personalized auto in a move. Dang it.:frown:

As far as charging for pictures I think these stores got the picture that a photo of a guy with an thelete was becoming a hastle so they charge to actually discourage it. It holds up lines and often they are used to sell the item signed on eBay later on.