The Wildest Autograph Chase We’ve Ever Done: Completing a Triple Antetokounmpo Card

Some autograph signings go smoothly.
Others turn into full-blown adventures.

This story falls squarely into the second category.

On this episode of The Power Sports Memorabilia Show, I’m sharing one of the most extreme lengths we’ve ever gone to complete a signed item—and it involved chasing down Giannis, Thanasis, and Kostas Antetokounmpo across the National Sports Collectors Convention, through security, and all the way to a hotel breakfast in downtown Chicago.

And yes… it was all for one card.

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The Card: A Triple Antetokounmpo Jersey Swap

The item in question was a Panini jersey swap card featuring:

• Giannis Antetokounmpo

• Thanasis Antetokounmpo

• Kostas Antetokounmpo

The goal was simple in theory:

Get all three brothers to sign the same card.

In practice? Not so simple.

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Step One: Giannis (Friday Night)

Giannis was signing Friday night ahead of his public appearance, and everything went according to plan… at first.

Except for one thing.

Giannis accidentally signed under the wrong brother’s image—a completely understandable mistake given the jersey swap design.

Luckily:

• The card was glossy

• The paint pen signature wiped clean with an alcohol wipe

• Giannis re-signed in the correct spot

Crisis averted.
Or so we thought.

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Saturday Chaos: Missing Thanasis and Kostas

Saturday should have been easy:

• Thanasis and Kostas weren’t overloaded with items

• Multi-sign items are usually straightforward backstage

But as the afternoon rolled on, something felt off.

By mid-afternoon:

• No Thanasis

• No Kostas

• No signings happening backstage

Eventually, we learned the worst possible news:

All three brothers were already walking the main show floor with Giannis.

That’s a nightmare scenario.

Why?

• Massive crowds

• No way to approach discreetly

• Zero chance of pulling out unsigned items without looking like autograph hunters

We tried everything:

• Tracking them across the floor

• Following with credentials

• Coordinating with agents and security

Nothing worked.

By the time they reached their vehicle, we were told:

“They’re done signing.”

At that point, we assumed the card would remain Giannis-only.

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Sunday Morning Plot Twist

Sunday morning, I arrived early, fully believing the opportunity was gone.

Then came the unexpected twist:

The brothers were still in town—but leaving for their flight shortly.

The catch?

• They were already at their hotel

• Their flight was imminent

• I didn’t even have a car

Through a last-minute scramble, we secured a vehicle, grabbed the items, loaded up pens, and raced 25 minutes into downtown Chicago.

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The Final Stop: Hotel Breakfast

I arrived at the hotel just after 9:20 AM.

Security was already staged. Vans were ready.

At this point, it felt exactly like what we never want to be:

An autograph chaser.

But then came another break:

• Alex Antetokounmpo spotted me

• He helped coordinate everything

• Led me to the restaurant where the brothers were eating breakfast

Yes—breakfast.

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Signing at the Breakfast Table

The brothers knew I was coming.

We sat down:

• Completed the triple-signed jersey swap card

• Finished additional cards

• Signed a jersey (gold paint pen instead of silver due to a last-second pen mix-up)

All signatures came out clean, bold, and perfectly placed.

Against all odds, the card was finally complete.

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Why This Story Matters to Collectors

This wasn’t about hype.
This wasn’t about shortcuts.

This story shows:

• How unpredictable autograph signings can be

• Why preparation matters

• The behind-the-scenes work collectors never see

• The lengths required to properly complete high-end multi-signed items

Most signings aren’t like this—but when they are, you don’t quit halfway.

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Final Thoughts

That triple Antetokounmpo card:

• Started with a mistake

• Nearly failed on Saturday

• Was saved at the last possible moment

It’s now a fully signed, one-of-a-kind piece—and one I’ll never forget.

Sometimes the story behind the autograph is just as valuable as the autograph itself.

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Learn More

Visit PowerSportsMemorabilia.com
Follow on Instagram: @PowersAutographs