How to get Autographs before a game from the Away Team?

Bballkingsrock

Bballkingsrock

All-Star
I am going to a couple games in the next couple months ad I was wondering if there was a way to get autographs at a Kings game from the away team.
How early do I go and what entrance do I go through?

Do players from the away team sign stuff?

Any help would be great!
 
Bballkingsrock said:
I am going to a couple games in the next couple months ad I was wondering if there was a way to get autographs at a Kings game from the away team.
How early do I go and what entrance do I go through?

Do players from the away team sign stuff?

Any help would be great!
Click to expand...
I've never been to ARCO but I go to games in Charlotte and the away teams always sign stuff as well over by the tunnels
 
Your best bet might just be to visit the hotel of the visitors. I believe most teams now stay at the Sheraton Downtown at 13th and J street (across 13th from the Convention Center). The Hyatt Downtown used to be the place of choice, so it could still be used by some teams. Perhaps if you call the visiting team front office, they may tell you where their team is staying in SAC.

When Phoenix was in town in November, I happened to be downtown on business that day and went in the Sheraton. I didn't see any Suns' players but I saw a boatload of fans with basketballs in hand that were covered in autos. I noted on a couple balls that Shaq's auto was there.

Best part about this, if you are an auto hound, is that you can feed your passion without having a ticket to the game. Naturally, you have to hang out, since you don't know when players will emerge in the hotel lobby. Good luck.
 
They will let you go down by the floor till 30 mins before tip off. So you have about 30 mins once the doors open.

And it really depends on who still shooting around. typically if will be the younger guys working with a coach.
 
Not to be a jerk or anything, but I've really never understood why people ask for autographs. I guess I can understand somebody 12 years old and under because it feels so special to be up close with those guys, but if I was a professional athlete I would be so annoyed to sign an autograph for an adult.

As for bugging them in the hotel lobby, I think that is just wrong. Leave them alone. Would you want somebody bugging you when you were in a hotel? If you are at the game and wait for them during shootaround, then I think that is acceptable and it gives them a choice whether they want to sign or not, but stalking them at the Sheraton or Hyatt is not cool.
 
RalphySampson said:
Not to be a jerk or anything, but I've really never understood why people ask for autographs. I guess I can understand somebody 12 years old and under because it feels so special to be up close with those guys, but if I was a professional athlete I would be so annoyed to sign an autograph for an adult.

As for bugging them in the hotel lobby, I think that is just wrong. Leave them alone. Would you want somebody bugging you when you were in a hotel? If you are at the game and wait for them during shootaround, then I think that is acceptable and it gives them a choice whether they want to sign or not, but stalking them at the Sheraton or Hyatt is not cool.
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They make millions of dollars. Asking for to sign something at a hotel is still acceptable. They should take the 3 seconds it takes to sign something.
 
Bballkingsrock said:
They make millions of dollars. Asking for to sign something at a hotel is still acceptable. They should take the 3 seconds it takes to sign something.
Click to expand...
And multiply 3 seconds by thousands and thousands of fans. They simply don't have time to accomodate everyone. I see no problem with asking respectfull in that situation, but I wouldn't be upset if they decline either.

I've seen some adults with four or five objects they wanted signed. You know they are only asking for them so they can sell them. I really wouldn't want to sign for them. I've seen people send up kids to ask for several signatures. I find that a disgusting example to set for a child.

I think players are more likely to sign for kids, because at least its more likely the kids are asking because they really want the signature for themselves, not because of potential monetary value now or in the future.

And I happen to think that even being paid millions of dollars should not mean that you are no longer entitled to have your personal time and space respected, most especially when they are out and about with family.
 
RalphySampson said:
Not to be a jerk or anything, but I've really never understood why people ask for autographs. I guess I can understand somebody 12 years old and under because it feels so special to be up close with those guys, but if I was a professional athlete I would be so annoyed to sign an autograph for an adult.

As for bugging them in the hotel lobby, I think that is just wrong. Leave them alone. Would you want somebody bugging you when you were in a hotel? If you are at the game and wait for them during shootaround, then I think that is acceptable and it gives them a choice whether they want to sign or not, but stalking them at the Sheraton or Hyatt is not cool.
Click to expand...

A guy I worked with went to the 49ers camp in Rocklin every year. He asked for Jerry Rices autograph every day. When Jerry said no (after he gave him one a few days) the guy started cussing him out and calling his wife stuff (this is when she was sick), Jerry went after him. He kept following Rice around to different places. Rice ended up getting a restraining order against him. Some people are just nuts when it comes to celebs.
 
kennadog said:
And multiply 3 seconds by thousands and thousands of fans. They simply don't have time to accomodate everyone. I see no problem with asking respectfull in that situation, but I wouldn't be upset if they decline either.

I've seen some adults with four or five objects they wanted signed. You know they are only asking for them so they can sell them. I really wouldn't want to sign for them. I've seen people send up kids to ask for several signatures. I find that a disgusting example to set for a child.

I think players are more likely to sign for kids, because at least its more likely the kids are asking because they really want the signature for themselves, not because of potential monetary value now or in the future.

And I happen to think that even being paid millions of dollars should not mean that you are no longer entitled to have your personal time and space respected, most especially when they are out and about with family.
Click to expand...


But I was saying if there was a around 10-15 people in the hotel, it should be ok for him to sign everybodys things. I too agree people that just want to sell stuff should not get any signitures but I just like to frame my signed stuff.

Back to topic, does anybody else have some suggestions? Going to the hotel after the game or going early before tipoff? How early do they open the doors, if I wanted to go like 2 hours before?
 
Bballkingsrock said:
But I was saying if there was a around 10-15 people in the hotel, it should be ok for him to sign everybodys things. I too agree people that just want to sell stuff should not get any signitures but I just like to frame my signed stuff.

Back to topic, does anybody else have some suggestions? Going to the hotel after the game or going early before tipoff? How early do they open the doors, if I wanted to go like 2 hours before?
Click to expand...

The airport used to be a good place. But with teams on charters and not being able to get to the terminal it's not happening.

Back in 1986, I was flying to LA. The Kings were on the plane. I got the whole teams autograph in the terminal and sat next to Mark Oberding on the plane.

The best way to get them now is in the off season at their charity functions.
 
Bballkingsrock said:
But I was saying if there was a around 10-15 people in the hotel, it should be ok for him to sign everybodys things. I too agree people that just want to sell stuff should not get any signitures but I just like to frame my signed stuff.

Back to topic, does anybody else have some suggestions? Going to the hotel after the game or going early before tipoff? How early do they open the doors, if I wanted to go like 2 hours before?
Click to expand...
Please know I wasn't calling you out for this. I was just a lucky crowd member when I caught a signed Monarchs basketball the night of their championship winning game. No way am I going to part with that. ;)
 
I don't really agree with seeking players out at their hotels. At the game is ok because they're "on the job", at the aiport is borderline but I'd say ok. I've never been an autograph hound, but to each their own. When I meet someone famous I try to interact naturally, if I'm a HUGE fan I might mention why, but asking for an autograph pretty much destroys any illusion of natural interaction.
 
I remember getting all kinds of autographs when I was younger down there on the floor. As I got older I had no desire for their autographs but I do understand why someone would still want to do it as an adult, just for your personal memento.

Reminds me a few years ago, at one of the celeb golf tourny things in Tahoe.. I just walked up to John Elway while he was walking between holes and said something like "hey, you were my favorite qb growing up, can I have a handshake?" That was it. I didn't ask for anything more but it probably took the same amount of time as an autograph. My friend recorded it on film so I have my little piece of memorabilia. Not worth anything to anyone except me.
 
RalphySampson said:
Not to be a jerk or anything, but I've really never understood why people ask for autographs. I guess I can understand somebody 12 years old and under because it feels so special to be up close with those guys, but if I was a professional athlete I would be so annoyed to sign an autograph for an adult.

As for bugging them in the hotel lobby, I think that is just wrong. Leave them alone. Would you want somebody bugging you when you were in a hotel? If you are at the game and wait for them during shootaround, then I think that is acceptable and it gives them a choice whether they want to sign or not, but stalking them at the Sheraton or Hyatt is not cool.
Click to expand...


I hate to break it to you but it comes with the job...ask any professional athlete
 
My girlfriend works at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown....She always lets me know who's coming into town (NBA, UFC, celebs, etc)....I've never gone there auto-hunting, though.
 
Took me a long time to understand and appreciate this thread. To get a players autograph, I would, without a doubt get the closest seat to the away teams bench. Then you would speak and be seen. I was able to communicate once or twice with an NBA player or two while attending games. Most notably, Chauncy Billups, Ron Artest, Stephon Marbary, David Lee, Peja, Ricky Davis, and a random Official. I don't know much about autographs, but you could easily create your own personal NBA story that you might remember if you are seated near a player and start talking loudly. :D Make sure to keep it clean:D
 
Or, i just thought about lodging a complain with the NBA regarding this matter in reference to a game in which you claim that this player was rude or something similar. But you would need to offer proof of being there, and the tickets need to be at least AA. And you might have to video tape it. Then he couldn't say no.
 
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