The Red Wings are "hot attractions" for card shows and
store openings, with fans paying "as much as" $60 to get
their autographs, according to Cynthia Lambert of the
DETROIT NEWS, who examined athletes' participation in card
and collectible shows and reported that a total of 2,700
fans attended the last two signings featuring Red Wings C
Sergei Fedorov. Wings F Darren McCarty: "If someone offers
you $25,000 for 1,000 autographs, you're not going to do it?
This is the hot time for us. Obviously, you want to make
some money while you can." But Lambert added that there is
"concern that charging a high price for an autograph could
hurt a player's image." A growing number of player agents
"are starting to frown on their clients charging for an
autograph," but often, the players are contacted "directly
by the owners of card shows." Wade Arnot, of Newport Sports
Management, which represents several Red Wings players,
said, "It's not something we support." IMG's Mike Barnett:
"They keep pushing the envelope with it. What will the
consumer pay?" (Cynthia Lambert, DETROIT NEWS, 8/31).
TORRE SIGNS WITH STEINER: Yankees manager Joe Torre has
signed an exclusive memorabilia collectibles deal with NY-
based Steiner Sports Marketing (Steiner).
