Some fans use the generosity of athletes for profit, selling their signatures and photos for personal gain.
Athletes are some of the most inspirational celebrities on the planet. When they encounter fans, a simple autograph or selfie can bring a lifetime of joy. But there are some fans who use the generosity of athletes for profit, selling their signatures and photos for personal gain. Many feel people who take part in the trade are not real fans. Others think what people do with autographs is their own business and we should not judge anyone for a personal decision. What do you think?
PERSPECTIVES
LeBron James noticed a Memphis Grizzlies equipment assistant wearing an exclusive pair of his shoes every time he visits the arena and decided to reward her loyalty with a pair of his game-worn kicks when the Los Angeles Lakers were in town.
Many were saying she should sell those shoes because they are very valuable. Briane Miller, the equipment assistant, said she was offered $100,000 for the shoes but refused. Would she have been a fake fan if she sold them?
It's more than Basketball [?] @KingJames pic.twitter.com/Pk0jndtec2
-- [?] (@__Almxghty) December 9, 2018
Real fans respect and appreciate athletes enough to know that an autograph and other memorabilia is something to cherished. Selling it for profit changes you from a fan to a business person whose appreciation can be bought.
Selling in desperate times is one thing, but selling just to make money is disgusting. That's not what real supporters do.
Wowwww I'm Akron, Ohio born & raised 330 til I die!...
But 100,000 [?]
Oh she a FAN-Fan!
-- We Great Again? [?] (@SMtweets36) December 11, 2018
So someone is making money selling something other people want and value, and that angers people - why? If somebody possesses an item, that item is theirs to do with however they see fit. Just because they're making money it doesn't mean they don't respect the sport of the athlete. Being opportunistic shouldn't be a disqualifier for being a real fan.
Absurd. LeBron gonna be fine - probably think you're pretty smart - if you use the money to do something life-changing for yourself or someone else. I admire her "loyalty" and the gesture by LeBron but give me the 100K. I'm just gonna tell everybody I got LeBron's shoes? Nope.
-- L. Jason Smith (@JasonSmith929) December 11, 2018
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