Sports

Oilers Sam Gagner and Andrew Cogliano Caught Up in Autograph Controversy

by Jon Azpiri | October 21, 2008 at 09:56 am

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A day after the Edmonton Oilers won two straight games from their archrival Calgary Flames, two Oilers players found themselves in hot water over charging for autographs. Instead of being celebrated for the team's victories in the Battle of Alberta, young Oilers stars Sam Gagner and Andrew Cogliano were vilified for charging $25 for autographs at an Edmonton collectibles show.

Gagner and Cogliano, who both earn more than $800,000 per season for the Oilers, claim they were unaware that the show was charging patrons for their signatures.

"At first we weren't aware everybody was being charged that amount," said Gagner, who initially declined to comment Sunday on the advice of the promoter, which only made matters worse, but addressed the issue after Monday's practice. "At the time we found out, what can we do? We can't leave now."

"We really just didn't know," added Cogliano. "When we got there it was too late to back out."

The two Oilers forwards also didn't know who was profiting from their autograph session.

It's not clear where the money was going, but several people working the event -- who didn't want to be identified -- confirmed that it wasn't for a charity.

The show was put on by Bossa Shows and AJ Sportsworld was in charge of the signing.

Collectibles shows like the one in Edmonton are commonplace and can be a minefield for players and fans. It could be argued that what Gagner, 19, and Cogliano, 21, did wasn't that unusual. What was unusual was how the show went about charging fans. Most collectibles shows charge an upfront admission fee rather than charging for autographs from an athlete. For instance, many shows charge a $25 admission that includes a "free" autograph from a star athlete. This way it looks like people are paying for entry into the show rather than directly paying a star athlete $25 for his signature.

In addition, it's generally understood that athletes don't charge for autographs in the city that they play in, but can charge whatever they want at autographs shows elsewhere. Gagner and Cogliano's appearance violated both of these unwritten rules.

It's a weird set of rules, ones that Gagner and Cogliano have learned the hard way.

"It kind of put into reality how big it is (to be an Oiler)," said Cogliano.

"When you see something so small like this in the paper, it shows how much people actually care about us.

"We take it very seriously. We're guys who'll do anything for the community, and we usually do.

"It's unfortunate, but it's something we've learned from."

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Sean Gordon

at 05:55 on October 22nd, 2008

I think that this was blown pretty far out of proportion. It's a case of two young, inexperienced guys who didn't ask enough questions going into the situation.

Sean Gordon has contributed a photo to this story.

Allen N

at 07:32 on October 22nd, 2008

I haven't been to a hockey card/collectables show in over a decade, but when I did go in the 90s I remember paying separately for most players' autographs, usually around $5-$10.