One of the most common mistakes collectors can make is assuming there will always be another autograph signing.

Maybe the price seems high right now.

Maybe you don't have the perfect item ready.

Maybe you think, "I'll just catch the next signing."

Sometimes that works.

But sometimes the next signing looks completely different—or never happens at all.

We were reminded of that recently when we had the opportunity to take part in another Patrick Mahomes autograph signing.

Anytime we can say we participated in a Patrick Mahomes signing, that's pretty cool. Yes, athletes at this level can get paid very well to sign autographs, but that doesn't mean they have to continue doing private signings forever.

And that's the important lesson for collectors.

When an athlete you really want is signing, the item you want is allowed, and the price fits your budget, don't automatically assume you'll have the same opportunity later.

Because autograph signings change all the time.

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Autograph Signing Opportunities Don't Last Forever

If you've been collecting long enough, you've probably experienced this.

An athlete signs regularly for years.

Every time another signing gets announced, you think:

"I'll get my item done next time."

Then one day, there isn't a next time.

Athletes retire from signing.

Their health changes.

Their interest in signing changes.

They sign an exclusive autograph agreement.

Their agent changes.

The company handling their autographs changes.

Or the athlete simply decides they don't want to sign anymore.

That's why we think collectors should appreciate autograph opportunities while they're available.

We aren't saying you should spend money you can't afford.

We aren't saying you should get something signed just because an athlete is available.

We're saying that if there's a specific autograph you've always wanted, don't assume today's opportunity will exist forever.

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The Signing May Return, but the Rules May Change

This is probably the part collectors don't think about enough.

An athlete might sign again.

But that doesn't mean you'll be allowed to send the same item.

We see signing rules change constantly.

One signing might allow:

• Jerseys
• Helmets
• Sports cards
• Photos
• Inscriptions
• Specialty items

The next signing might say:

No cards.

Then it might be:

No jerseys or helmets.

Or:

No inscriptions.

Or the athlete may only sign certain types of items.

We've received calls about potential signings where we're told an athlete is available—but there are major restrictions on what can be submitted.

Sometimes the restrictions become so extensive that we're wondering what collectors are actually supposed to send.

That's why the opportunity isn't just the athlete signing.

The opportunity is the athlete signing your particular item under rules that allow it.

That's a big difference.

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If Your Dream Item Is Allowed, Pay Attention

Let's say you've always wanted a particular player to sign one specific rookie card.

You've been waiting years.

Finally, a signing gets announced.

Cards are allowed.

The price is expensive, so you decide you'll wait for the next one.

Six months later, another signing gets announced.

Great!

Except now it says:

No cards.

The athlete is still signing, but your opportunity is gone.

Maybe cards come back later.

Maybe they don't.

We simply don't know.

That's why when we see unusual signing opportunities ourselves, we sometimes have to make the same decision collectors make.

We might say:

"That's really expensive."

But then we ask:

How badly do we want this item signed, and what are the chances we get another opportunity?

If the athlete hasn't signed in a long time or a normally restricted item is suddenly allowed, sometimes we decide it's worth getting it done.

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Patrick Mahomes Is a Great Example

Patrick Mahomes is a good example of why collectors shouldn't take access for granted.

We have been fortunate enough to take customer items into recent Mahomes signings.

That's something we appreciate because access to superstar athletes isn't guaranteed.

Mahomes did a public autograph signing back in 2018.

Collectors who attended had an opportunity not only to get autographs but also to participate in the experience of a public signing.

Looking back, that was a pretty unique opportunity.

Mahomes didn't continue regularly doing that type of public autograph appearance.

The people who decided, "This might not happen again," got to experience something that became much harder to do later.

That's exactly what we're talking about.

Sometimes you don't realize how unique an opportunity was until it's gone.

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Some Superstar Athletes Are Extremely Difficult to Access

There are plenty of examples in the hobby of superstar athletes where collectors simply can't send in whatever they want whenever they want.

Michael Jordan is an obvious example.

His autograph relationship with Upper Deck means collectors don't simply wait for the next traditional send-in signing where they can mail in their favorite Jordan item.

LeBron James is another athlete where collectors don't have the typical send-in opportunities they might have with other players.

There are also athletes who have restrictions on particular items or themes.

Other athletes may go long stretches without signing.

The point isn't that these athletes will never sign again.

The point is that collectors don't control when, how or what an athlete signs.

That's why access matters.

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Tom Brady Shows How Access Can Change

Tom Brady is another good example from our experience.

There have been periods where Brady has signed fairly regularly through Fanatics.

But that doesn't necessarily mean we've always had the ability to submit whatever customer items we wanted.

Processes change.

Companies change their strategies.

Product priorities change.

Restrictions change.

A signing opportunity that might have been available to dealers or collectors several years ago might not operate the same way today.

That's another reason we don't like telling collectors:

"Don't worry. He'll sign again."

He might.

But will he sign your item again?

Will send-ins be accepted?

Will cards be allowed?

Will inscriptions be available?

Will the price be the same?

We don't know.

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Exclusive Autograph Deals Can Change Everything

An athlete can also sign an exclusive memorabilia agreement.

That can immediately change how collectors access their autograph.

Maybe you previously could send your own item to a signing.

Under a new agreement, the company might primarily sell its own inventory.

Or send-ins might become more limited.

Certain products may be protected.

Certain categories may no longer be accepted.

None of this necessarily means something bad happened.

It's simply how the autograph business works.

Athletes change representation.

Companies change.

Contracts change.

And the rules surrounding signings change with them.

Yesterday's autograph opportunity doesn't guarantee tomorrow's.

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Eventually, Every Athlete Stops Signing

There's also a reality we can't avoid.

At some point, every athlete's signing career ends.

Joe Montana is an example that comes to mind.

He has signed many times over the years.

Because collectors have seen Montana sign regularly, it's easy to assume he'll always be available.

But eventually, there will be a last Joe Montana signing.

There will eventually be a last signing for every athlete.

Larry Bird has also signed regularly.

That can create the feeling that there's no urgency.

"I'll get my Bird item done next year."

Maybe you will.

But someday collectors will look back and say:

"I can't believe I had all those opportunities and never got that one item signed."

That's the situation we're trying to help collectors avoid.

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Don't Confuse Opportunity With Urgency

We want to make an important distinction here.

This isn't about creating fake urgency.

If an autograph doesn't fit your budget, don't do it.

There will always be another piece of memorabilia to collect.

You should never put yourself in a bad financial position because you're afraid of missing an autograph.

But there's a big difference between:

"I can't afford this."

and

"I really want this, I can afford it, but I'll just assume the same opportunity will come back later."

The second situation deserves more thought.

If this is an athlete you've wanted for years and you finally have the right opportunity, it might be time to get it done.

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Start Saving Before the Signing Happens

You don't necessarily have to wait until an autograph signing gets announced to start planning.

If there's an athlete you know you eventually want, do some research.

Figure out approximately what the autograph costs.

Decide what item you'd want signed.

Then start setting money aside.

That way, if an unexpected signing becomes available, you're prepared.

Instead of scrambling to find the item and the money, you've already done the hard part.

This is particularly useful with athletes who don't sign frequently.

Think of it as having an autograph wish list.

Maybe yours includes:

• A particular rookie card
• A team-issued jersey
• A championship photo
• A full-size helmet
• A unique inscription
• The final autograph needed on a multi-signed item

Know what you're waiting for.

Then when the opportunity arrives, you can make a much better decision.

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Multi-Signed Items Make Timing Even More Important

This becomes especially important if you're building a multi-signed piece.

Maybe you're working on:

• A championship team
• A Hall of Fame piece
• A Dream Team item
• A Super Bowl football
• A multi-signed photograph
• A piece featuring several generations of players

Sometimes you may only be missing one or two signatures.

If one of those athletes becomes available and your item is accepted, think carefully before passing.

Rules on multi-signed pieces can change.

Athletes may stop adding certain inscriptions.

Companies may stop accepting oversized items.

The signer may eventually become unavailable altogether.

Completing a multi-signed piece often takes patience, but it also requires recognizing opportunities when they appear.

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Sometimes the Experience Is Part of Collecting Too

There's another side of autograph signings that isn't entirely about the physical autograph.

It's the experience.

We've been fortunate to attend a lot of professional signings over the years.

You remember them.

You remember where the signing happened.

You remember funny things the athlete said.

You remember unusual items customers sent.

You remember seeing a special inscription completed.

You remember getting photographs from the signing.

Our recent Mahomes signing was another one of those experiences.

Being able to go into his area and participate in a signing for our customers is something we'll remember.

Years from now, we'll be able to look back and say:

"Remember when we got those Mahomes items done?"

That's part of what makes this hobby fun.

Memorabilia isn't just an object sitting on a shelf.

Sometimes there's a story attached to how you got it.

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Why We Try to Attend Signings When We Can

This is also why we like being physically present at autograph signings whenever possible.

We don't know when we'll get another chance.

Maybe we won't meet that athlete again.

Maybe photography won't be allowed next time.

Maybe the signing moves somewhere else.

Maybe the process changes completely.

Being present gives us an opportunity to document the signing, photograph items and create memories around the experience.

Again, the same basic idea applies:

Don't assume today's access will always be available tomorrow.

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You May Not Hear About Every Signing Publicly

Another important point from the Mahomes signing is that not every autograph opportunity can be publicly advertised.

We've talked about this in another article and podcast.

Sometimes athletes, agents or signing organizers place restrictions on how a signing can be promoted.

We may not be allowed to put it on Instagram.

We may not be allowed to publicly advertise pricing.

Certain opportunities may only be shared privately.

That doesn't mean we're trying to hide the signing from collectors.

We're following the rules we're given.

This is one reason we created the Powers Insider Club.

It gives us another way to communicate certain signing opportunities while also giving collectors a place to discuss upcoming signings, memorabilia, pen choices, items they might want signed and other questions with fellow collectors.

If you're waiting on a particular athlete, it's important to stay connected because sometimes the window to participate isn't very long.

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Five Questions to Ask When a Signing Is Announced

When an athlete you want becomes available, don't immediately buy—and don't immediately pass.

Ask yourself these questions:

1. How badly do I actually want this autograph?

Is this someone you've wanted for years, or are you simply reacting because a signing was announced?

2. Can I comfortably afford it?

If the answer is no, don't force it.

Collecting should be enjoyable.

3. How often does this athlete sign?

Someone who signs several times every year is different from someone who hasn't appeared in years.

4. Is the item I want currently allowed?

This is huge.

If you've been waiting to get a particular card or jersey signed and it's accepted now, don't automatically assume it will be accepted next time.

5. How disappointed would I be if this opportunity never returned?

That's probably the most useful question.

If you'd shrug your shoulders and move on, waiting may make sense.

If you'd be kicking yourself for years, think a little harder about getting it done.

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There Is No Guarantee of Another Signing

If you've been around autograph collecting long enough, you've seen how quickly things can change.

An athlete signs regularly.

Then stops.

Cards are accepted.

Then they're banned.

Inscriptions are available.

Then they're removed.

Send-ins are open.

Then an exclusive agreement changes everything.

A public signing happens.

Then there isn't another one.

That's part of collecting.

Nobody knows exactly what the future holds.

And that's also part of what makes certain opportunities special.

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Final Thoughts

When an athlete you really want is doing an autograph signing, appreciate the opportunity.

That doesn't mean you need to participate in every signing.

And it definitely doesn't mean spending outside your budget.

But if you have a special item you've always wanted signed, the athlete is available, your item is allowed and the cost makes sense for you, don't automatically assume you'll get another identical opportunity.

Rules change.

Companies change.

Athletes change.

Signing habits change.

And eventually, athletes stop signing altogether.

Sometimes the best collecting decision is to wait.

Other times, you have to recognize:

This might be the opportunity I've been waiting for.

That's one of the lessons we've learned after years of participating in professional autograph signings.

Enjoy the opportunities while they're here, collect the items that mean something to you, and create some great stories along the way.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I get an autograph now or wait for another signing?

It depends on your budget, how badly you want the autograph and how frequently the athlete signs. If the athlete doesn't sign often and your specific item is currently allowed, it's worth considering whether you'd regret passing if the opportunity doesn't return.

Do autograph signing rules change?

Yes. We've seen athletes and signing organizers change rules regarding cards, jerseys, helmets, inscriptions and other items from one signing to the next.

Why would an athlete stop signing autographs?

There can be many reasons. An athlete may simply lose interest, change representation, enter an exclusive autograph agreement, reduce appearances or stop signing altogether.

Can an athlete sign again but stop accepting certain items?

Absolutely. An athlete may continue signing while no longer accepting cards, jerseys, helmets, inscriptions or other specific items. That's why another signing doesn't necessarily mean another opportunity for your particular item.

Should I spend more than my budget because an athlete may stop signing?

No. We never recommend putting yourself in a bad financial situation for memorabilia. If an autograph doesn't comfortably fit your budget, passing is perfectly reasonable.

How can I prepare for an expensive autograph signing?

If there's a particular athlete you want, research typical signing prices, decide what item you'd like signed and start saving ahead of time. That can make it easier to act when the right opportunity becomes available.

Why aren't some autograph signings posted publicly?

Sometimes athletes, agents or signing organizers restrict how a signing can be promoted. Certain signings may not be allowed on websites, social media or other public channels.

Where can I hear about upcoming Powers Sports Memorabilia signings?

Watch the Powers Sports Memorabilia website, email and text notifications, follow @powersautographs on Instagram, and consider joining the Powers Insider Club for additional collector discussions and signing opportunities that we may not be able to promote through normal public channels.