Whats the deal with Cam charging for Autographs today?

[footballisasport]

Scott Fowler isn't too happy about it:

However, Newton is defended by the place the Huddle loves to hate, PFT:

http://profootballta...for-autographs/

So scott Fowler, who makes a living reporting what these athlete do, keeps tabs on Cam's money...Okay.

[footballisasport]

all of the higher profile players do this.

we're just not that used to it because...well...we haven't really had that many high profile players here.

It's Cam we're talking about. You know he was choosen to be the media's whopping boy. I'm sure if Luck or any other QB did it it would have been well justified.

[jtnc]

is it?

Well....my mistake. :unsure:

[jtnc]

Newton will sign autographs at SouthPark Mall on July 14, according to Atlanta-based GT Sports Marketing.

Fellow Auburn Heisman winner Bo Jackson will also appear, as will former NBA star Larry Johnson.

[CatMan72]

is it?

No, the event is @ South Park mall here in CLT.

[CatMan72]

what's funny is that someone in here is going to make a thread celebrating the autograph they just got at that signing to put right beside their autographed helmet they spent $500+ for, their collection of baseball cards with pieces of jerseys attached, and their julius peppers fathead in their mancave.

What's wrong with having a JP fathead in your mancave? (LOL)

[CamX]

So what. He needs to get paid. Take their money!!This is business, don't ever worry about another mans paper.

[TANTRIC-NINJA]

I got Derek Jeters autograph when he was 18 playing in the Sally League for the Greensboro Bats. I still have the bats vs Fayettenam Generals tix and funny story of me and some friends stalking him during warmups not knowing who he was except by his number in the program.. "yo Derek!" was the way we broke the ice lol..

Point of the story was I didnt wait in line to get the autograph or pay $125 for it...that kills any "how did thou get that autograph?" story.

Also waiting at a Belk I got a Mugsey Bouges autograph....priceless part was me inquiring about Tony Bennett's(coach of Va now) chances of making the team and Mugsey saying "eeehh he is ok...he will never beat out Elliot Perry" who was cut and was a key player for the Phoenix Suns that season. Free.

[PantherFanOne]

If the hardcore autograph morons are stupid enough to waste their hard earned money by greasing the hands of a multi millionaire then they are a bunch of dumbies that deserve to be taken to the cleaners.

[KendrickPanther]

Personally, I don't get it. Lets say they make 50 grand from autographs today. The promotions company is getting at least 40 percent of that. So Cam gets say 30 grand.

30 grand.

In the grand scheme, the hit it has taken in the court of public opinion is not worth what he gets paid for a tenth of a game of football play.

It's not about the money per se. Cam is doing this for IMG who I believe markets him. It's about the money to IMG but to Cam he is just filling an obligation of his contract. The best thing about this is no one has to go if they don't want to. Cam gives out plenty of free unauthenticated autographs.

[KendrickPanther]

See I don't think the players understand. I'm 26. Steve was making plays when I was a teenager. It's goofy but I still look up to him. I have never and will never sell an autograph but I have had a few players treat me poorly.

I have a free autograph from both Cam and Smitty, the only thing it cost me was a couple trips to the practice field to catch them at the right time. After just about every practice I've attended, Cam will sign a few autographs, mostly for kids.

There are a few professional autograph hounds out there that have a box of stuff with them and clearly couldn't give a sh*t about the Panthers... both Cam and Smitty make a point of avoiding those guys and I don't blame them one bit.

Smith in particular gets very animated about it, I've seen him walk down the line past all these "usual suspects" and say "NO, NO, NO, NO, NO" as he passed each one of them. I was out there another time when he lectured some girl about why he wasn't signing for her after he politely said no and she asked him "why not?" (with a WTF? tone in her voice). He told her that he knew she was with the guys up on the hill and they had already asked him to sign stuff 3x that week, so he wasn't going to help them support their ebay business. She turned around and walked away and he said "Watch, she's going right up the hill to those guys" and sure enough, she did.

I've only ever asked Steve to sign one thing, and he signed it without hesitation and even personalized it with: "To Dave, all the best! Steve Smith # 89". I realize that personalizing it was also a way of making it hard to sell on ebay, but that's fine with me because I have no intent to sell it or any other autographed items I've collected. The point of my story is that if you don't abuse the privilege of asking Smitty to sign something for you, he will happily sign.

I've also only ever asked Cam to sign one thing and I came bearing gifts when I did. I printed out a poster size copy of that "SuperCam" pic and brought it to practice with me. As he was approaching me I told him he could have it if he would sign my jersey and he did, without hesitation.

The difference between my experience and this paid opportunity is that I was not guaranteed to get either of these autographs where I would be if I had paid and I have no problem with that... it's up to me to decide if I want to pay for a guaranteed autograph from Cam, it's not as if I can't get one for free as long as I'm willing to wait and not be a d*ck about it. Cam does plenty for charity, including donating autographed items, so I don't even want to hear about that.

These guys are not obligated to sign for anybody, they do it because they want to, not because they have to. The problem is the autograph junkies that show up at the practice field every day with a box of stuff and then get pissed off when a guy won't sign... they ruin it for everyone.

[weymouthst]

It makes sense, because if you really want an auto, this is a surefire way to get one. Otherwise, you have to be lucky or try way too hard to get one.

So, but making a promo event, specifically for autographs, you are giving everyone what they want; fans get the auto, the players and promoters get paid for their time and effort.

America people. America.

[4Corners]

Considering what he was charging Mississippi State and Auburn for his signature, $200 is a pretty good deal.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Carolina Huddle and Scott Fowler: Let's make a whole bunch of hysteria about nothing. We have more important things to worry about in life than if a COMPANY that hired Cam charges for autographs and probably has a 70-30 ratio that favors them over the athlete.