The National to feature record autograph lineup, more big-name signers than ever before

The TRISTAR Autograph Pavilion at the 2023 National Sports Collectors Convention will be record-setting on numerous platforms:

• With more than 150 confirmed autograph signers, it will be the most-ever at The National.

• With 60-plus first-time autograph signers, that too is the most ever.

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• There will be eight professional wrestlers appearing (all from IMPACT Wrestling), the most-ever at The National.

• An estimated 45,000 autographs will be signed in the public area, which TRISTAR said will be the most autographs ever signed at The National.

• The 25 basketball signers are the most ever from that sport.

“The 2022 National in Atlantic City was one of the most successful Nationals ever. There is still a lot of momentum from last year and excitement remains high for this year,” TRISTAR Vice President Bobby Mintz said. “This year’s TRISTAR Autograph Pavilion features a lot of new faces, new autograph signers in addition to the legends who fans always enjoy meeting.”

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This is the 14th time The National has been held in Chicago — the most of any city. The first Chicago National was in 1983 and it has returned to Chicago every other year since 2011.

The TRISTAR Autograph Pavilion will feature:

• 50 football players, including 34 members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, such as: Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith, Jerry Rice, Dan Marino, Ray Lewis and Jim Kelly.

Barry Sanders shows off a signed painting at the 2021 National in Chicago. Ross Forman/TRISTAR Productions

• 52 baseball players, including 29 members of the Baseball Hall of Fame, such as: Johnny Bench, Robin Yount, Mike Schmidt, Roger Clemens, Pedro Martinez, Rickey Henderson and Chipper Jones.

• 25 basketball players, including 16 members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, such as: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Julius Erving, Allen Iverson and Dennis Rodman.

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• 18 IMPACT Wrestling stars, including five reigning champions, one who formerly played in the NFL, and a member of the IMPACT Wrestling Hall of Fame.

“We focused on first-time National autograph signers for this year’s show. We wanted [autograph signers] who fans have not had seen at this show in the past,” Mintz said.

“My overall suggestion for collectors is, focus on players who are older who you might not see at future shows, or players you do not see very often,” Mintz added. “Plan in advance what you want to get signed before coming to the show and be sure to look at signing times for all.”

Jim Dougherty, a collector from Fort Worth, Texas, will be in Chicago for this year’s National, a show he has attended annually since 2013.

“Anytime you have 100 or more autograph signers at one show, that’s significant,” Dougherty said. “Having Kareem Abdul-Jabbar appear is a big get; that, to me, is hands-down awesome. Having Shane Bieber, a current player, appear, that too is exciting.”

Oscar Robertson (left) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Getty Images

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Dougherty plans to get his 1969 Topps Lew Alcindor (Abdul-Jabbar) rookie card signed. He also is seeking baseball signatures, including one from new Hall of Famer Scott Rolen.

“The biggest thing about the TRISTAR Autograph Pavilion is not necessarily [the autograph signers], but rather just being around all of the people, the community, the people who I may only see once a year,” Dougherty said. “To me, the autographs always are a bonus.”

Missouri-based collector Karen Murphy said the TRISTAR Autograph Pavilion is “stacked” this year, with “bigger names” and others who “we haven’t seen in years,” leading to strong buzz for the signing area.

“Diversity and freshness in the number of signers is very encouraging. I’m sure the photo booth and autograph pavilion will be extremely popular this year,” Murphy said. “I’m excited to see all my player friends I have made over the years. I also enjoy watching collectors engage with their favorite players.”

The signing stars from IMPACT Wrestling feature reigning World Champion Alex Shelley, current X Division Champion Chris Sabin and the Knockouts World Tag Team Champions The Coven (Taylor Wilde and KiLynn King). Also appearing will be former IMPACT World Champion Moose (real name: Quinn Ojinnaka), who played 62 games in the NFL from 2006-2012 for the Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots and St. Louis Rams.

Plus, Gail Kim, a member of the IMPACT Wrestling Hall of Fame, will be signing.

“There have never been that many pro wrestlers at The National, so I [am curious] what kind of crowd that will bring,” Dougherty said.

The IMPACT signers are appearing in conjunction with IMPACT shows set for Friday and Saturday nights, July 28-29, at nearby Cicero Stadium.

“We are really excited to have the stars of IMPACT Wrestling appear at The National, the biggest annual sports and memorabilia event in the nation,” said Lou D’Angeli of IMPACT Wrestling. “Appearing alongside such amazing athletes as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Allen Iverson, Mike Schmidt and Michael Irvin, to name a few, is exciting.”

D’Angeli will be shopping multiple days for cards and more at the show. His most-wanted signature, he said, would be from Dr. J Julius Erving.

Dr. J Julius Erving signs autographs at The National in 2022. Jeff Owens

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Floyd Mayweather will be signing on Saturday afternoon, July 29, and is always a gracious show guest.

Floyd Mayweather at the 2022 National in Atlantic City. Ross Forman/TRISTAR Productions

Marv Levy, who turns 98 on Aug. 3, is believed to be the oldest National signer ever.

The autograph lineup also features many former Chicago athletes who will draw strong fan interest, including Doug Plank, Bob Love, Murray Bannerman and Ken Harrelson, among others.

“This year’s National lineup is exactly what you’d expect from TRISTAR: another extremely deep and balanced lineup,” said collector Ryan Hutchinson of Houston. “I enjoy collecting football and baseball Hall of Fame [autographs], so the large number of recent Hall of Famers from both sports are must-get autos for me.

“The basketball lineup is also very exciting. I can’t remember a National with so many Hall of Famers, fan favorites and current players. Every year it seems that there is one big-name athlete who is a must-have for any collector, and this year Kareem is that person. As soon as the announcement was made, I ordered a jersey to pick up at the show before they are sold out.”

Virginia-based collector Mike Breeden added: “There are a few guys who haven’t been regulars on the circuit in recent years who should do well. Mike Schmidt, Kirk Gibson, Fred McGriff and Scott Rolen should be popular with baseball collectors. I think Kareem will do well, too.

“To me, the most interesting guy on the list may be Marshawn Lynch. I don’t recall him ever doing a public signing of this magnitude, so I’m not sure how he’ll do. There’s no doubt that he is a fresh name, though. Not many of [his signatures] out there.”

Arizona-based collector Jim Umbach wants to score a 16-by-20 photo at The National, signed by Kareem and Dr. J.

“That would be a valued piece of my collection,” he said. “With so many first-time athletes at this year’s National, it is sure to be a buyer’s delight.”

Mintz urged autograph-seekers to buy tickets in advance.

“You will save so much time having your order in in advance and sent to you,” he said. “You can also buy tickets online 24/7 on the show weekend so, if you are sitting in your hotel room in Chicago on Thursday or Friday night thinking about autograph guests, [buy the tickets] on the website and the tickets will be waiting for you the next morning. Avoiding the lines as much as possible is key.”

The platinum package allows collectors to be among the first in line for all players. Other packages are available online, but most are close to selling out. For updates, go to: tristarproductions.com/schedule.National.

BY THE NUMBERS

800: Number of Sharpie pens that will be used (with multiple colors).

300: Number of ballpoint pens that will be used (primarily blue).

6,000: Number of 8-by-10 photos that will be signed.

5,000: Number of baseballs that will be signed publicly (plus another 4,000 privately).

Super Six Signers among first-time guests: Marshawn Lynch, Larry Csonka, Charles Woodson, Kirk Gibson, Scott Rolen and Joe Dumars.

Top signers among all show guests: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry Rice, Lynch, Dan Marino, Troy Polamalu, Kurt Warner, Barry Sanders, Roger Clemens, Kirk Gibson, Fred McGriff, Scott Rolen, Joe Dumars and Julius Erving.