The Untouchable: Many Sports Fans, Dealers Are Snubbing O.J. Simpson Memorabilia

The Untouchable
Many Sports Fans, Dealers Are Snubbing O.J. Simpson Memorabilia

By Neely Tucker
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, October 4, 2007; Page C01

While the sports memorabilia field has boomed into an industry worth a few billion dollars a year over the past decade, with popular athletes charging up to $150 to sign a single jersey at a trade show, Simpson -- a Heisman trophy winner and Hall of Fame running back -- has seen his memorabilia fall to depths not seen by any major athlete in modern times. Simpson makes Michael Vick's gear look upscale.

He is banned from nearly all trade shows. Brandon Steiner, CEO of Steiner Sports Marketing, one of the biggest agencies in the business, won't get on the phone to discuss him. John Dee, marketing director of Authentic Sports Collectibles, says his Web site sells no Simpson material because "nobody wants it."

The National Sports Collectors Convention, the biggest in the biz, had him kicked out of the show in 2005 when he made an unscheduled signing appearance. Robert Schmierer, director of the Philadelphia Sports Card & Memorabilia Show, lists an "O.J. Simpson Policy" on the packet he sends out to dealers, banning everything but playing-era trading cards and the like. The National Football League does not sell his throwback jersey. The Pro Football Hall of Fame sells his photograph for $5 and nothing else.

Simpson items such as jerseys, helmets and playing cards pop up on eBay; most get no bids at all. Put it this way: The NFL Web site offers authentic team helmets for $269. An eBay auction for a Simpson-signed throwback Buffalo Bills helmet sold last week for $122.50 -- less than half what any unsigned helmet would cost.

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O.J. Simpson, left, stands in Las Vegas Justice Court, for his arraignment, in this Sept. 19, 2007 file photo. Attorney Yale Galanter, right, stands beside Simpson. (AP Photo/ Clint Karlsen, Pool)