Lost amid the mega-dollar endorsement news last week was this item: CARMELO ANTHONY SIGNS CARD DEALS WORTH OVER $1 MILLION.
Anthony had already signed a shoe contract with Nike for about $20 million. That was dwarfed by LeBron James' $90 million agreement. Because of those, Anthony's trading card pact seemed inconsequential.
But what made his agreement interesting was that he signed with three separate companies. Torn whether to join hands with Upper Deck, Topps or Fleer, he struck a deal with all three. Call it "smorgasboard economics." If you're having trouble making up your mind on whom to endorse, sample them all.
Do you get the feeling Anthony might have trouble deciding where to pass on the fast break?
I hope he knows he can't play for both the Nuggets and the Pistons.
In any case, the former Syracuse basketball star put autograph collecting on a new plane.
Collecting autographs isn't an easy proposition. Players hook up with card companies, then refuse to sign any card but the one they endorse. In other words, if Gary Payton has a deal with Upper Deck, and a kid hands him a Fleer card, too bad.
Players love it. If they don't want to sign an autograph, all
they have to do is say, "Sorry, man, my contract won't allow me to sign that."
It's an easy out.
It used to be that a kid could roll down to the store and buy a pack of cards, or order them in the mail, and wait outside the locker room for a favorite player. He never knew what might happen. Now we know — nothing.
Players are suspicious of autograph seekers who carry briefcases. They assume they are gathering material to sell to card collectors. But if Anthony's multi-company deal becomes commonplace, every kid will need a briefcase. He might have the right card but the wrong day. Imagine approaching Anthony with a Fleer card, only to learn it's "Topps Friday." Maybe he'll be holding an Upper Deck on "Fleer Monday."
A fan might get by with having a card from just one of the chosen companies. Don't count on it. More likely he'll need to have them all in hand. Anthony could merely say he signs Fleer cards on every fifth Sunday, Topps on every full moon and Upper Deck on Arbor Day, Secretaries Day and during any eclipse of the sun.
This could become a problem even for Carmelo. How's he supposed to remember which company he's working for? Maybe he should own a different throwback jersey for every trading card company and sign only the cards that match the shirt.
It isn't surprising things would get to this level. Trading cards and sports memorabilia involve big bucks. James, recently agreed to a $1 million card deal with Upper Deck alone. Signed copies of his Sports Illustrated cover have sold at $100-$200. Autographed basketballs go for up to $300.
For a 12-year-old looking for an autograph, this is discouraging. For one thing, he can't get around the security. I always felt sorry for kids huddled back of the Delta Center parking lot, hoping the players would roll down their car windows and sign. Now the kids must guess if they have the right card(s) in hand.
I've never been an autograph seeker. Karl Malone once asked if I had any kids. When I said yes, he said, "How come you never asked me to sign an autograph for them?" I told him I didn't think reporters should be getting autographs from the people they cover. I also told him players got enough requests without reporters asking.
John Stockton, who was also there, said: "Good idea."
I figure the easiest course a player can take isn't to sign with three companies. It's to sign with one obscure card company with a name like "Lyle's Trading Cards" — one that can't get into Wal-Mart or Costco. It might not make business sense to Lyle, but it would be a heck of a deal for the player.
You can't sign what they can't find.
E-mail: rock@desnews.com