ARTICLES / The Hidden Truth Behind Sports Autograph Authentication: A Veteran’s Perspective on the Industry’s Flaws

 

 

The world of sports memorabilia has long been plagued by one question: Is this autograph real? With no universal standards or independent oversight, authentication within the industry is subjective at best and rife with the opportunity for manipulation at worst. Over the past 30 years, the market has evolved dramatically—especially at the high-end, where autographs of legends like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Babe Ruth can fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars. But as prices have risen, so too have the number of “experts” issuing Certificates of Authenticity (COAs)—often without the proper foundation to back up their claims.

As someone who’s spent three decades in the memorabilia industry and undergone formal training in forensic signature authentication under the guidance of a law enforcement handwriting expert, I’ve watched firsthand as the authentication process has been hijacked by marketing gimmicks, reputation laundering, and a dangerous lack of accountability.

The Rise of the “Expert” and the Fall of Integrity

The rise of self-proclaimed “industry experts” in sports memorabilia authentication has made the field more complex—and far less trustworthy. The problem isn’t new, but in recent years, an unsettling trend has emerged: autographs once considered forgeries are now being sold with COAs from these so-called experts. How can that be? It suggests one of two things:

• The Standards Are Being Loosened for Profit: In a world where a piece’s value is determined by a COA, there is a strong financial incentive to “re-validate” previously questionable items. If a forgery can be passed off as genuine, it can make someone a lot of money.
• Reputations Are Built, Not Earned: Many of these “experts” have cultivated influence not through knowledge or experience but via clever marketing, celebrity endorsements, and partnerships with auction houses. The COA they issue may hold little weight other than its ability to bolster the sale of high-ticket items.
  
  

The Shift Toward the Business of Authentication

Forensic signature analysis is a science. It’s grounded in the study of writing mechanics, including pen pressure, stroke fluency, rhythm, and ink analysis. But in the world of sports memorabilia, authenticity has increasingly become about branding and salesmanship rather than scientific integrity.

The Authentication Process Has Become a Business, not a Science
Many of the experts issuing COAs today are more akin to used car salesmen than forensic professionals. They create the illusion of legitimacy—slapping holograms and signatures on documents—and sell the idea of scarcity and value. When an item passes through their hands, it’s no longer about what’s real. It’s about what can be sold.

The Circular Nature of Influence
In many cases, these so-called experts operate within a self-sustaining “circle.” Major auction houses often accept COAs from select experts, regardless of their credentials or methodologies, which in turn inflates the credibility of these experts. Buyers, especially those new to the game, trust the COAs without understanding that they’re essentially purchasing an opinion—one that’s often not grounded in forensic analysis.

“Reputation Laundering”: The Rise of COA Mills

One of the most disturbing developments I’ve witnessed in the past few years is the phenomenon of reputation laundering. When an item is rejected by one authentication service, it’s sometimes reintroduced under a new expert’s name or COA service. The same expert or team, often under a rebranded company, can issue a fresh COA on an item that was previously deemed inauthentic. This process—sometimes called “flipping a signature”—allows questionable items to re-enter the market under the guise of authenticity.

The business of sports memorabilia authentication has become like a used car lot, where the vehicle's history is obscured to make it look shiny and new. The integrity of the piece is secondary to the potential profit.

When the Truth Doesn’t Matter

For those of us who are truly trained in this field, it can feel like a losing battle. I’ve spent years conducting detailed forensic investigations, breaking down signatures using sophisticated tools, and analyzing every stroke of a pen. The science is clear. Yet when I challenge these so-called experts, I am often met with hostility, name-calling, and deflection. They can’t explain their conclusions because they don’t have a method—just a product to sell.

The most common defense I hear from these experts is that their conclusions are “just opinions,” which conveniently allows them to avoid scrutiny. When pressed for detailed reasoning, they either refuse to explain or use vague language, relying on their reputation rather than actual evidence.

The Impact of “Expert” COAs on the Industry

The real victims in this scenario are the buyers—collectors who are often unaware of the lack of rigor in the authentication process. Whether through online auctions, private dealers, or at shows, many collectors are being misled into purchasing forgeries that have been legitimized by a shiny COA.

The stakes are high. A single forged signature could cost a collector tens of thousands of dollars. Worse, many buyers are too afraid to question the authenticity of their pieces once they’ve been validated by an expert or auction house. The fear of being ostracized from the community or losing their investment keeps them from challenging what they’ve been told.

The Small Wins

Despite the overwhelming challenges, there are moments that make the fight worthwhile. Every time I can help a collector avoid making a costly mistake—by providing a genuine forensic analysis or simply offering a second opinion, I feel like I’ve done something that matters. Often, collectors don’t come back to thank me, not because they don’t appreciate the help, but because they’re afraid of rocking the boat in an industry that thrives on illusion.

But there are also times when the truth resonates with those who want it. Even if they don’t always express gratitude, I know I’ve played a role in shifting their understanding. Slowly but surely, there is a small but growing community of collectors who are beginning to see through the smoke and mirrors and appreciate the true science behind authentication.

The Road Ahead: Integrity in the Face of Pressure

After 30 years in business, I’ve come to realize that the fight for integrity in sports memorabilia authentication is a lonely one. But it’s one I’m willing to continue for as long as it takes. For me, it’s about doing what’s right standing by the truth even when it’s inconvenient or unpopular.

So, what keeps me going? It’s simple. The satisfaction of knowing that, even if I only help a few people, I am contributing to the preservation of this hobby’s true spirit. The fight for honesty, transparency, and professionalism is more important than any paycheck or fleeting recognition. It’s about keeping the integrity of the industry alive, even if it’s just a small part of the market that listens.

In Conclusion

The world of sports memorabilia has been forever changed by the rise of so-called authentication experts. The process of verifying signatures has become a business—and a lucrative one—where influence and reputation often outweigh knowledge and truth. The growing trend of issuing COAs on questionable items is proof that money is often driving the decisions, rather than integrity or science. But for those of us who’ve been in the industry for decades, it’s clear: real knowledge and authenticity will always stand the test of time, even if it means going against the grain.