Do stars owe it to fans to do a brief photo op-autograph after an event ?

[djefferis]

So curious as to opinions here - this case involves a musician, but the same thing happens daily with athletes.

Personally - I have always maintained it is part of the job that after an event/game - you need to plan on spending 20-30 minutes doing a brief stop and photo/signing for any fan who likely waited more than an hour to see you. Again - there are exceptions and it’s perfectly fine to say no to that overbearing asshole for example who walks up with a dozen baseballs and a pen at a game.

But I don’t care if your ass is tired after playing for 3 hours and you do have to go to work tomorrow doing the same thing. If that’s the hardest you have ever worked in your life - you’ve had it pretty damn good. Oh and the 15k people who paid $80 bucks to see you - everyone of them at one point was that 14 year old kid, asshole.

Now again - there are limits, but I highly doubt ZB had THAT many fans waiting for him. He isn’t Aaron Judge after a game - he’s a semi famous country “star” with a history of doing and saying stupid shit.

Country star gives blunt response to 14-year-old fan’s criticism

Country star Zach Bryan responded to backlash after a fan accused him of ignoring concertgoers who waited hours outside MetLife Stadium.

www.cleveland.com

 

[Tanko]

I don’t see any obligation on their part to stick around after a game/concert. I think they are busy, just like everyone else and want to leave work at a reasonable time to spend it with family, just like everyone else.

 

[djefferis]

Have no issue with this - but like I said, this is why you PLAN on doing 15-20 minutes of autos.

No one’s suggesting anyone owes it to sign for everyone who shows up - just like it’s not reasonable to bother people in situations where they are with family. But when you are at “work” - guess what this is part of the job.

One of my favorite stories was on Reggie Jackson from a friend. He gets on a flight only to walk by Reggie in first class as they boarded. Walks up mid flight to get an autograph and Reggie surprisingly obliges - at least my friend thought. After he gets back to this seat to read it - Reggie signed “Mickey Mouse”. I’ve heard he regularly did this to people who caught him in stations where he couldn’t refuse or didn’t want to see to be a jerk.

 

[Wagerallsports]

Without fans they have nothing & it’s really that simple

In ‘Real Life’ there are all types of professionals who get payed royally in their line of work because of what they do specifically & can be considered ‘always on the clock’

Athletes, actors, celebs fit this category

I do agree there are a few exceptions but the problem is it’s tough for a fan to know if it’s a bad time or not.

 

[djefferis]

Sometimes it’s easier to figure out though - baseball game for example: it used to be common for guys to come out after warm up and before the game to sign some stuff for kids. Just like catching players after the game coming out of the clubhouse was a thing.

Now anyone knows don’t stand around bugging a guy who just lost a big game - just like it’s not cool to pester someone at dinner or in a bathroom. But when your at the arena - your fair game if your not playing or getting ready to play.

 

[jjgold]

It’s tough after a game, but a lot of players do especially tennis and golf

 

[flyingillini]

Have no issue with this - but like I said, this is why you PLAN on doing 15-20 minutes of autos.

No one’s suggesting anyone owes it to sign for everyone who shows up - just like it’s not reasonable to bother people in situations where they are with family. But when you are at “work” - guess what this is part of the job.

One of my favorite stories was on Reggie Jackson from a friend. He gets on a flight only to walk by Reggie in first class as they boarded. Walks up mid flight to get an autograph and Reggie surprisingly obliges - at least my friend thought. After he gets back to this seat to read it - Reggie signed “Mickey Mouse”. I’ve heard he regularly did this to people who caught him in stations where he couldn’t refuse or didn’t want to see to be a jerk.

I will see Reggie next week!

Autograph Guests — The National Sports Card Convention - July 30 - August 3, 2025 | Donald E. Stevens Convention Center

Autograph Guests for the National are brought to your by Tri-Star Productions and feature legendary baseball and football stars.

www.nsccshow.com

 

[MinnesotaFats]

Athletes yes. Influences kids primarily.

Musicians no. Greater cultural significance

Influencers yes. Impact on kids

 

[djefferis]

Athletes yes. Influences kids primarily.

Musicians no. Greater cultural significance

Influencers yes. Impact on kids

I’d say 99% of “influencers” are not recognized by those of us over 30.

I’d struggle to recognize and name a single influencer who wasn’t JJ in public.

Musicians again - depends on the situation. I just find it odd that as most musicians now are coming to the realization that selling media is a thing of the past and it’s about garnering streams (that pay a fraction of a cent) or making your money touring that one would not be engaging to fans.

Right now selling meet and greets is how a lot of these acts are making money touring. Selling seats only gets you so far - but the VIP money and meet and greet from the most loyal fans is where you’re making a profit.

Was going to go to Smashing Pumpkins last year with Green Day - freaking VIP was $1500 a pop…got you a “pre show” of Corgan coming out and doing a few songs acoustic in an “intimate” setting for a few hundred people, a VIP lanyard to show how big of a sucker you are and ability to go backstage pre show and see their set up and access to exclusive overly priced merch.

Now I understand nostalgia is a costly experience - but $1500 per person for a 3 hour event? Doesn’t feel like that long ago I saw some of these bands in shitty venues with a thousand people and it cost $15.

 

[MinnesotaFats]

The meet & greet is money for both sides.

I saw Brittany about 10 years ago in Vegas was dating one of the Playboy Energy Drink models...paid $1500 for a post concert meet & photo op for my gal (she was 21 I was 36) and had a phenomenal 48 hours in Vegas...

....unfortunately our trip was for 72 hours. She had to make accommodations for the last 24 after face planting into her spaghetti after getting high.

 

[jamesy2422]

i would like to think i would at least say hello from my car to the fans that waited

 

[MinnesotaFats]

i would like to think i would at least say hello from my car to the fans that waited

Wave from your Lambo to the line of trailer trash worshipping you

 

[str]

The older you get, the more you realize that it won’t last forever and you really stop taking things for granted. You learn to appreciate fans more and more. And then one day, it’s all behind you.
Any really young person that understands how important it is to be fan friendly, is special. I would have to think that if you don’t realize that until it’s too late, you have to regret it.
At the end of the day, fans make the game as much or more than anything.

 

[djefferis]

Meet and greets are serious cash these days.

There’s an operation nearby that does ALOT of big names from sports and movies - host events where you can come in to meet and het a picture taken and an auto or send your shot in for a signature.

William Shatner was doing alot with them - think he was like $300-500. Mark Hamill isn’t with them but recently crossed the 1k threshold I believe. It’s absolutely nuts what these people get - but compare that to the extent of fake autographs with supposed legit “certifications” - if I was somebody whose dream it was to get a celeb autograph - I’d only want to do in person.

I get certain celebs just CAN’T stop and sign and I am fine with that in public situations. Think Michael Jordan or Judge at a game. Even if they stop for a second - it’s going to be chaos and a few thousand are going to leave disappointed. But in a case like this he’s wrong. One kid standing outside a venue and he couldn’t sign a stupid autograph.

 

[BMR Genie]

So curious as to opinions here - this case involves a musician, but the same thing happens daily with athletes.

Personally - I have always maintained it is part of the job that after an event/game - you need to plan on spending 20-30 minutes doing a brief stop and photo/signing for any fan who likely waited more than an hour to see you. Again - there are exceptions and it’s perfectly fine to say no to that overbearing asshole for example who walks up with a dozen baseballs and a pen at a game.

But I don’t care if your ass is tired after playing for 3 hours and you do have to go to work tomorrow doing the same thing. If that’s the hardest you have ever worked in your life - you’ve had it pretty damn good. Oh and the 15k people who paid $80 bucks to see you - everyone of them at one point was that 14 year old kid, asshole.

Now again - there are limits, but I highly doubt ZB had THAT many fans waiting for him. He isn’t Aaron Judge after a game - he’s a semi famous country “star” with a history of doing and saying stupid shit.

Country star gives blunt response to 14-year-old fan’s criticism

Country star Zach Bryan responded to backlash after a fan accused him of ignoring concertgoers who waited hours outside MetLife Stadium.

www.cleveland.com

He has no obligation to meet the fans, since it wasn't a paid meet & greet event, but he could have replied with a kinder tone. He's kinda boastful.