PhxGametime
Formerly Bball_31
Sports Update
Suns' Amare to do first signing
By John Leptich, Tribune
There is one arena where Amare Stoudemire is still considered a rookie — the card-show circuit. The Suns' 20-year-old phenom may have been selected NBA Rookie of the Year, but he has yet to do an autograph signing.
That will change May 17 when Stoudemire joins a long list of athletes who have appeared at shows run by longtime Valley promoter Jeff Thalblum.
"I was talking with his adviser and they are looking forward to this signing," Thalblum said. "I'm sure Amare doesn't really know what to expect because he hasn't done this before, but I'm expecting to sell out all the tickets I have and have already gotten a lot of items sent in by people around the country they want signed."
Stoudemire will sign 1 to 3 p.m. at North Phoenix Baptist Church at Bethany Home Road and Central Avenue. Joining him will be Diamondbacks Danny Bautista, Alex Cintron, Elmer Dessens, Steve Finley, Lyle Overbay, Brandon Webb and Tony Womack.
Thalblum said about half the 500 Stoudemire tickets he has available have been sold in advance. He expects around 250 or so to be left on the day of the show.
Collectors are reserving Stoudemire tickets because they get a $5 discount by doing so; it's $35 per signature in advance and $40 the day of the show. Dedications, such as "NBA ROY '03" will be an extra $15 per item.
Diamondbacks’ players autographs range $15 to $20 per signature.
"I've gotten awesome response, not only in sales, but from callers who are dying to get his autograph," Thalblum said of Stoudemire. "Sure, there are a few people calling and complaining about my charging $5 more the day of the show, but I think it's fair. The big autograph dealers like Mounted Memories and Steiner Sports are offering to pay $40 per autograph and then they'll sell it for more. What will his autograph go for out East? Probably $60 or more.
"It was the same thing when I had Randy Johnson in 2000. People were upset that I was charging $60 an autograph. It's going for more now all over and he isn't doing shows, just private signings, and that's when he decides to do those.
"The same thing will happen in two years with Amare. People will look back and realize that what I'm offering was a good opportunity to get the signature of a player who could turn out to be a really great NBA star."
Signingshotline.com, a Web site that provides a list of all sports autograph guests around the country, rates Stoudemire No. 5 of its top 10, behind NFL Hall of Famer Howie Long, NHL Hall of Famer Brad Park, and NFL Hall of Famers Jim Parker and Joe Namath. In fact, retired slugger Mark McGwire is ranked No. 9 on the current list.
"In a year or two, Amare's signature may be priced out of sight or he may not want to do shows any longer," Thalblum said. "It's his first show, but it could also be his last. I don't have any inside scoop on that, but if the big-league dealers in the East get to him, things could change, especially prices.
"Tri Star-Productions (of Houston) wanted to do a private signing and mail-order thing with him, but he and his adviser decided to wait and see how this first show goes. I've been told that some teammates are telling him it's a good thing to do and he should get his feet wet in the industry, but others are saying they wouldn't do it. We'll see how it goes for all of us and, especially if we sell out like I think we will, I'll try to get him at another public signing."
Thalblum said response for Stoudemire is getting close to what it was for Johnson and the times Thalblum has had Luis Gonzalez as a guest. Thalblum said Gonzalez has been his most popular draw to date.
Suns' Amare to do first signing
By John Leptich, Tribune
There is one arena where Amare Stoudemire is still considered a rookie — the card-show circuit. The Suns' 20-year-old phenom may have been selected NBA Rookie of the Year, but he has yet to do an autograph signing.
That will change May 17 when Stoudemire joins a long list of athletes who have appeared at shows run by longtime Valley promoter Jeff Thalblum.
"I was talking with his adviser and they are looking forward to this signing," Thalblum said. "I'm sure Amare doesn't really know what to expect because he hasn't done this before, but I'm expecting to sell out all the tickets I have and have already gotten a lot of items sent in by people around the country they want signed."
Stoudemire will sign 1 to 3 p.m. at North Phoenix Baptist Church at Bethany Home Road and Central Avenue. Joining him will be Diamondbacks Danny Bautista, Alex Cintron, Elmer Dessens, Steve Finley, Lyle Overbay, Brandon Webb and Tony Womack.
Thalblum said about half the 500 Stoudemire tickets he has available have been sold in advance. He expects around 250 or so to be left on the day of the show.
Collectors are reserving Stoudemire tickets because they get a $5 discount by doing so; it's $35 per signature in advance and $40 the day of the show. Dedications, such as "NBA ROY '03" will be an extra $15 per item.
Diamondbacks’ players autographs range $15 to $20 per signature.
"I've gotten awesome response, not only in sales, but from callers who are dying to get his autograph," Thalblum said of Stoudemire. "Sure, there are a few people calling and complaining about my charging $5 more the day of the show, but I think it's fair. The big autograph dealers like Mounted Memories and Steiner Sports are offering to pay $40 per autograph and then they'll sell it for more. What will his autograph go for out East? Probably $60 or more.
"It was the same thing when I had Randy Johnson in 2000. People were upset that I was charging $60 an autograph. It's going for more now all over and he isn't doing shows, just private signings, and that's when he decides to do those.
"The same thing will happen in two years with Amare. People will look back and realize that what I'm offering was a good opportunity to get the signature of a player who could turn out to be a really great NBA star."
Signingshotline.com, a Web site that provides a list of all sports autograph guests around the country, rates Stoudemire No. 5 of its top 10, behind NFL Hall of Famer Howie Long, NHL Hall of Famer Brad Park, and NFL Hall of Famers Jim Parker and Joe Namath. In fact, retired slugger Mark McGwire is ranked No. 9 on the current list.
"In a year or two, Amare's signature may be priced out of sight or he may not want to do shows any longer," Thalblum said. "It's his first show, but it could also be his last. I don't have any inside scoop on that, but if the big-league dealers in the East get to him, things could change, especially prices.
"Tri Star-Productions (of Houston) wanted to do a private signing and mail-order thing with him, but he and his adviser decided to wait and see how this first show goes. I've been told that some teammates are telling him it's a good thing to do and he should get his feet wet in the industry, but others are saying they wouldn't do it. We'll see how it goes for all of us and, especially if we sell out like I think we will, I'll try to get him at another public signing."
Thalblum said response for Stoudemire is getting close to what it was for Johnson and the times Thalblum has had Luis Gonzalez as a guest. Thalblum said Gonzalez has been his most popular draw to date.
