They know demand is there. Fans ask. Alumni around the country call to see what they’ve got. Collectors hope to spot a future pro star in the making and want to buy low. Dealers elsewhere want to buy so they can sell high. For sellers of autographs in big time college towns, though, the answer usually comes fast.
No.
Paying a player to sign autographs while he’s still in school is an NCAA violation. Ohio State is now under the microscope after ESPN reported that Terrelle Pryor had a regular gig signing for one rogue re-seller during the first part of his college career.
Dennis Talbott denies the allegations, but a former friend of Pryor’s says the quarterback earned thousands of dollars for signing various items for Talbott on a regular basis.
It’s tempting to try and strike a deal. The players often need money. The dealer knows there’s a market. The consequences, though, would be steep.
Brent Newhouse runs a shop in the Buckeyes’ arch-rival territory.
He wasn’t shy about expressing his opinion of the Buckeye bobble for this story on AnnArbor.com.
