As the newest team in the WNBA, the Toronto Tempo is still working to build its fanbase. A recent exchange with a group of autograph collectors does not help with public image.
It was unnecessarily hostile.
Even if there is plenty of reason to question an autograph collector’s motive, the WNBA is in the spotlight more than ever before. Players, coaches and staffers should consider the optics of their words/actions before they speak/act.
WNBA autographs do not hold a lot of value.
There is a lot of financial value in the trading card and sports collectibles market for leagues like MLB, NFL and NBA. Especially when an autograph is involved. Signed cards, rookie cards, low-numbered cards, and limited-print releases are typically command higher sticker prices because fewer copies are available. Demand can also increased when an athlete achieves a major milestone, enters the Hall of Fame or becomes historically significant.
For example, a Josh Allen rookie card recently sold for a record $1.7 million. The 20 priciest sports cards ever sold could all be worth more than $2 million today.
None of them are from the WNBA. There is not a lot of money in WNBA collectibles — yet.
Women’s basketball has a much smaller market than its male counterparts. As a result, most WNBA cards sell for only a few dollars. However, as interest in the league continues to rise, so does demand. And because the market is more scarce, certain cards are able to command prices that can compete with that of larger leagues. They are the exception.
A Caitlin Clark rookie card could be worth five- or even six-figures. A Sue Bird autograph card is listed on eBay for $1,050. The majority are listed for $10 or less. It is not particularly lucrative.
That is what makes a recent confrontation so interesting.
The Toronto Tempo got into a tense exchange.
Minnygraphs, as he is known, is a Minnesota-based card and memorabilia collector. He sells his cards on Fanatics and eBay.
At some point over the last week, Minnygraphs and a group of fellow collectors waited for the Toronto Tempo outside of their team hotel. Kiki Rice was gracious enough to sign a few cards for each of them. She was neither mean nor nice about it. She signed and moved on.
Meanwhile, an unnamed staffer from the Tempo asked the collectors about the value of their cards. She wanted to know what they sell for. And when Minnygraphs told her that they are for his own personal collection, she referred to them as hoarders.
To be fair to the staffer, Minnygraphs does list a few WNBA cards for sale and he is someone who collects autographs as a form of income. To be fair to Minnygraphs, as we already discussed, WNBA cards do not have a lot of resale value.
Much like the contrast between Kelsey Plum and Jacy Sheldon, this latest exchange between the Toronto staffer and the collectors creates an interesting debate. Did she overreact? Is her line of questioning appropriate? Should athletes be confronted for an autograph outside of their team hotel? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.