Value of the Sinister Athlete - should you sell or keep that memorabilia in your collection?

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - July 3, 2013 - PRLog -- Aaron Hernandez's legacy will now be shaped by his infamy rather than his performance on the football field, as the charges related to the Odin Lloyd murder case are serious and substantial.

Hernandez's football career as a Tight End with the New England Patriots was brief and now appears to be over. In 2009 he was part of a BCS Championship at the University of Florida and was a Pro Bowler in 2011 with the New England Patriots. His tarnished image will have a dramatic impact on the interest and value of his memorabilia says Sports Autograph expert and MarkofanAthlete.com, Founder and CEO, Paul Bass based in Brentwood, TN.

"Sadly, the negative side of the industry has come to a head with Hernandez jerseys selling for $290 on eBay once the Patriots pulled them from the market and provided replacement jerseys in some circumstances. This value spike will be short lived.  Memorabilia from other athletes under similar charges fall steeply over time, as can be seen in the value of signed and certified Rae Carruth items selling as low as $5.00.”

On the other hand, while Michael Vick and Tiger Woods have created nightmares for their agents and pr machines, their missteps have not ultimately hampered their ability to remain active in their sport. This mitigates the downward trend in long-term collectible values.

“With Tiger’s four PGA victories to start the 2013 PGA Tour season, Upper Deck released the Tiger Woods Master Collection set, which is limited to 200 sets at a retail value of $3,000.  After-market prices have climbed up to $3,800 signaling the return of collectors,"  says Bass.

Serious collectors need to have a thorough understanding of the sport and subject matter to protect and maximize their investment. For sports fans still interested in purchasing items with questionable backgrounds, there are resources out there to help even the beginner.

Mark of an Athlete is a free membership site that helps collectors examine an athlete's entire legacy and directs them to resources about collecting everything from specific autographs, trading cards and memorabilia. MarkofanAthlete.com includes a composite profile of over 90,000 athletes from bowling to football and baseball to NASCAR.

"Mark of an Athlete is a FREE resource for those that want to get at the essence of an athlete. For a limited time, we are providing the essential resources for collectors to evolve into serious collectors at no cost.  How will you Make Your Mark?"

For more information, please register at:
http://www.markofanathlete.com/membership-benefits/