Eric
09-12-2012, 08:42 PM
www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-0913-memorabilia-bears-chicago--20120913,0,5335604.story
chicagotribune.com
Bears game-worn jerseys in short supply
Fans might not be able to get them this season because deal with indicted distributor ended
By Jared S. Hopkins, Chicago Tribune reporter
8:11 PM CDT, September 12, 2012
Bears fans hoping to purchase a piece of history from Thursday's game with the Packers may find souvenir cups their best option.
The team currently is without a partner to sell or distribute its players' game-worn jerseys after the expiration of its contract with JO Sports, a Las Vegas-based company whose owner was indicted last year.
Football jerseys worn in NFL games can fetch thousands and are considered trophies by collectors, their value increasing with every scuff, stain and tear.
But the memorabilia industry long has been riddled with fraud and tampering, and by doctoring hundreds of jerseys over several years, federal authorities say, Jarrod Oldridge and others deceived collectors and profited illegally. Recent federal stings have caught a handful of dealers.
Last year, the Tribune reported that Oldridge's legal troubles didn't cost him his company's contract with the Bears, who said the criminal activity covered a period before they were partners. JO Sports partnered with multiple NFL teams and since 2008 had one-year deals with the Bears, according to the team.
Following Oldridge's indictment, several NFL teams began severing ties. The episode was the latest reminder of the risk fans and collectors face when they buy expensive memorabilia, whether it's an autograph, an old ball or puck, or game-worn equipment. Unless a player is seen signing an item or giving his jersey to a fan there is no guarantee of authenticity in memorabilia.
Because NFL teams own the jerseys, they can do with them as they please. The Bears previously have said that they archive them; pass them along to the Hall of Fame; and distribute them at charity events.
The NFL encourages fans to buy memorabilia through its own auction house, where several Bears jerseys are drawing bids. The items come directly from locker rooms without a middleman involved and proceeds go toward charity. Bears jerseys will continue to be auctioned off, a spokesman said Wednesday.
Among collectors, Bears jerseys were difficult to come by before JO Sports. Some said they're waiting to see if the Bears decide to find a new partner.
Rick Moore, of Bradenton, Fla., a longtime collector of Bears jerseys, said he last purchased one through NFL's auction house in March. But he said without an exclusive partner, jerseys are difficult to find.
"You're probably not going to get one," said Moore, 47. "(Without an exclusive partner,) it makes it harder for us to get them, which is good and bad. Bad for the guys still collecting and good for guys like me just sitting on stuff … so the value tends to climb."
Oldridge pleaded guilty to federal charges last year; his sentencing is scheduled for this month.
Copyright © 2012, Chicago Tribune
chicagotribune.com
Bears game-worn jerseys in short supply
Fans might not be able to get them this season because deal with indicted distributor ended
By Jared S. Hopkins, Chicago Tribune reporter
8:11 PM CDT, September 12, 2012
Bears fans hoping to purchase a piece of history from Thursday's game with the Packers may find souvenir cups their best option.
The team currently is without a partner to sell or distribute its players' game-worn jerseys after the expiration of its contract with JO Sports, a Las Vegas-based company whose owner was indicted last year.
Football jerseys worn in NFL games can fetch thousands and are considered trophies by collectors, their value increasing with every scuff, stain and tear.
But the memorabilia industry long has been riddled with fraud and tampering, and by doctoring hundreds of jerseys over several years, federal authorities say, Jarrod Oldridge and others deceived collectors and profited illegally. Recent federal stings have caught a handful of dealers.
Last year, the Tribune reported that Oldridge's legal troubles didn't cost him his company's contract with the Bears, who said the criminal activity covered a period before they were partners. JO Sports partnered with multiple NFL teams and since 2008 had one-year deals with the Bears, according to the team.
Following Oldridge's indictment, several NFL teams began severing ties. The episode was the latest reminder of the risk fans and collectors face when they buy expensive memorabilia, whether it's an autograph, an old ball or puck, or game-worn equipment. Unless a player is seen signing an item or giving his jersey to a fan there is no guarantee of authenticity in memorabilia.
Because NFL teams own the jerseys, they can do with them as they please. The Bears previously have said that they archive them; pass them along to the Hall of Fame; and distribute them at charity events.
The NFL encourages fans to buy memorabilia through its own auction house, where several Bears jerseys are drawing bids. The items come directly from locker rooms without a middleman involved and proceeds go toward charity. Bears jerseys will continue to be auctioned off, a spokesman said Wednesday.
Among collectors, Bears jerseys were difficult to come by before JO Sports. Some said they're waiting to see if the Bears decide to find a new partner.
Rick Moore, of Bradenton, Fla., a longtime collector of Bears jerseys, said he last purchased one through NFL's auction house in March. But he said without an exclusive partner, jerseys are difficult to find.
"You're probably not going to get one," said Moore, 47. "(Without an exclusive partner,) it makes it harder for us to get them, which is good and bad. Bad for the guys still collecting and good for guys like me just sitting on stuff … so the value tends to climb."
Oldridge pleaded guilty to federal charges last year; his sentencing is scheduled for this month.
Copyright © 2012, Chicago Tribune