Sellout? Bill Russell Agrees To Put Autograph On Market

BOSTON - Has former NBA star Bill Russell sold out?

The man who has made a practice of not signing autographs over the past 28 years has signed a two-year agreement with a sports memorabilia company to autograph jerseys (for a mere $995), basketballs (only $495), shoes (also $495), 8-by-10 glossies ($295), and personal items ($295 each). If all 5,000 items are sold, the total will exceed $2 million.

Russell's take is unknown and part of his agreement with the company is not to talk to the media and to continue not to sign autographs.

"Bill Russell is the most expensive autograph of anyone who is alive today," said Joie Casey, the president of Sports Archives Inc., who is handling the sale. "I mean anyone. Gorbachev and Castro are second and third. And there is no one in the world of sports who maintained what I would call the integrity of his autograph like Russell has. This is one we can truly say is an investment."

Casey said he got a call from a Philadelphia man who collects Sports Illustrated covers and has seven with Russell, but no autographs. So, for only $2,065, he will get the seven autographs through this arrangement. Even more bizarre, a Seattle restaurant owner, who counts Russell as one of his frequent diners, is paying $495 for an individually signed basketball, to go along with 21 others he has by NBA greats.