For his first official autograph signing Saturday, the Lakers’ Lonzo Ball – a Chino Hills resident – was charging $199.
And promotion of the event declared no photo ops or personalized messages or inscriptions.
But in spite of a social media uproar prior to Saturday’s signing, which was promoted and co-sponsored by Sports Authentics USA store in the mall, Ball attracted quite the crowd – signing merchandise, from pictures to basketballs and shoes to bobbleheads, and shaking hands and taking selfies for more than two hours.
Days before the signing, Twitter users objected to the price.
Twitter user TheyCallMe_DB said, “Really tho who does Lonzo Ball think he is hosting an autograph signing and charging $199 to get something signed!?!!!? Like bro you average 10 points a game for the love of god please stop.”
Really tho who does Lonzo Ball think he is hosting an autograph signing and charging $199 to get something signed!?!!!? Like bro you average 10 points a game for the love of god please stop
— WHODAT⚜️ (@TheyCallMe_DB) February 15, 2018
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However, come Saturday, about 300 fans — and the media — showed up.
Around a 150 or so wait for @NBA @Lakers #LonzoBall to sign autographs at #puentehillsmall @InsideSoCalSpts @SGVNSports #basketball #chinohillshuskies @UCLAAthletics #photography pic.twitter.com/8nHIwlmYfM
— Keith Birmingham (@photowkb) February 17, 2018
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@NBA @Lakers #LonzoBall to sign autographs at #puentehillsmall @InsideSoCalSpts @SGVNSports #basketball #chinohillshuskies @UCLAAthletics #photography pic.twitter.com/ZtVD4Jwkk2
— Keith Birmingham (@photowkb) February 17, 2018
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Around 200 for @NBA @Lakers #LonzoBall to sign autographs at #puentehillsmall @InsideSoCalSpts @SGVNSports #basketball #chinohillshuskies @UCLAAthletics #photography pic.twitter.com/ZsHpGDrWJ9
— Keith Birmingham (@photowkb) February 17, 2018
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City of Industry, CA – @Lakers G, and @bigballerbrand, #LonzoBall at his autograph signing session at @SAuthenticsUSA at @ShopPuenteHills.
Lots of fans showed up and more waiting outside.
Come and #geturmerch pic.twitter.com/gaZfsGLeP6
— Weak Side Help (@Weak_Side_Help) February 17, 2018
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The exclusion of photographs didn’t stop some from snapping a quick pic.
One post by Instagram user paaandrew had the caption, “The store charged me $79.99 for taking this photo with my camera phone because he’s Lonzo Ball. They almost charged me $39.99 when we our eyes connected.” Hashtag, worth it, he added.
In his rookie year, Ball, who is represented by VGS Sports + Entertainment, has averaged 10.2 points per game, 7.1 rebounds per game, 7.1 assists per game and 0.9 blocks per game. He’s currently injured, but has vowed to return Feb. 23 against the Dallas Mavericks.
While the price tag of $199 for a signature – without an inscription – may seem like a lot, it isn’t all that uncommon for athletes to charge hundreds of dollars for a signing.
Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who has an upcoming signing hosted by Sports Authentics USA in March, will sign small items, like a bobble head or mini basketball, for $119. An autograph on large items, like a basketball or jersey, will cost $169.
A photo op will cost $129 and an inscription, or personalized autograph, would be an extra $89.
In 2015, Super Bowl champion Tom Brady charged $650 for his autograph. And even with that hefty price, fans couldn’t meet him.
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Source: Oc Register
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