MORE ABOUT AUTOGRAPH SIGNINGS
- 03/06/2009 (1:34:36 pm)
- Georgiann Makropoulos
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Georgiann,
Hello, I would like to respond to the letter the original author posted on this subject.
First, The WWE is the most fan friendliest federation?
For instance in IWC wrestling you get to meet ALL the wrestlers at the shows every time they have a show. Now they don't always get the big talent at every show, but Norm does what he can. He is the promoter of IWC wrestling. It is a very small wrestling federation here in Pennsylvania and I personally grew up a huge wrestling fan watching old school WWF and WCW.
But times have changed so much, that wrestling isn't what it use to be unless you get to see federations like IWC. It's affordable for the whole family plus you get to meet all the wrestlers at the half time show. They do a show every year called Night of the Legends here in Pa. so the fans get to meet these guys up close and not get gouged a fee to do so, OH and also not rushed.
Ok, enough on that time to get back on subject. If these wrestlers or athletes can't handle all of the publicity then they should do what we have to do when we don't like our job and that is find a different profession. You know what comes with the territory and if you can't handle it, then time to change that lifestyle.
Now I'm not saying people should be going to the bathrooms following these guys and bothering them while they are eating. Now that is just wrong, but if you see them at the store or mall I see no problem asking them for an autograph. Afterall without fans there is no sports period. Athletes need to understand that. Now some do, don't get me wrong, but lots of them let their fame get to their head and that takes over.
I personally am a huge sports collector as I belong to a website with several other members and it is amazing how much money has changed sports collecting to what it is today.
Promoters are asking for high fee's but most of the time it is because the athlete wants top dollar. After all do you really need several million dollars to live a decent life? Most Americans won't even make that in their lifetime let alone in a years time. Bottom line is greed has taken over this business and I Think Fans have a right to be disgusted when they pay for an autograph and they get rushed through the line. Afterall, they did pay for the signing and if the promoter is going to take a loss then they should have planned better and change how they run it next time. I have been to several signings and for the most part were pretty good, but had some bad experiences, but when you get down to it, it's all about the money and that is just wrong.
What else has killed this business of sports collecting is individuals are selling the autographs for profit, which is disrespectful to the athlete they got it from unless they paid for it. But to hear a sob story about how bad of a life these individuals have because of the fans out there bothering them all the time, that just doesn't make sense to me. I just love when a camera is in front of an athlete they love so say how much they love the fans, etc. but when it is gone and it is just you and them one on one, then it is a different story.
Now I'm not saying that about all athletes at there are a lot of good ones out there that care about their fans but there is also a lot that don't but say they do. But the bottom line is if you pay for an autograph it is only right that you shouldn't be rushed through the line as your money should be just as good as any one elses.
From: J
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I thought I should throw my 2 cents in about signings, with everything there is good and bad if your main complaint is how long you have to wait in line which I hear a lot. Get there early so you are not number 8000 in a long line. And don't carry a hundred things with you and expect to get them all signed, at smaller shows that's cool. Example Mickie James at OVW show last month only fifty people showed so she had plenty of time to sign as much as she felt like.
My only complaint is when you drive 4 or 5 hrs and then the star you came to see will not even mumble a greeting or make eye contact. And for some fans waiting outside a show does not mean you will meet the stars, there is a chance but don't take it personally if they head straight to their car. Sometimes the night is just too hard on them. I just want to say lastly if you are in Tennesse or Ky. area there are a lot of Indy shows like OVW and KFW that are worth the trip. God bless and good luck hunting
James
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I have a feeling this might become subject of the day. If anyone else would like to have their say on this matter, send your letters to me @: Georgie [email protected]
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