Feb 5, 2015
Faking It: Are these autographs real?
One of Canada's biggest sports memorabilia shows features booths where autographed memorabilia can be authenticated - for a price. Armed with sports photos with deliberately faked autographs, Rick finds out just how sharp-eyed some of the authenticators are. Take a closer look below at the 'signed' photos that Rick brought for appraisal.
TSN.ca Staff
Professional sports are big business.
With the billions of dollars generated annually though game tickets, merchandise and memorabilia, it should come as no surprise that counterfeiting has become a major issue.
In 'Faking It,' a special TSN/CTV W5 co-production, Senior Correspondent Rick Westhead investigates how some sports memorabilia is not what it seems, how fans are being taken in by fake tickets, and how bogus team jerseys from China make their way to Canada.
Part 1 (Today on SportsCentre) THE NAME GAME
Every year, one of Canada's biggest sports memorabilia shows takes place in Toronto. It features booths where autographed memorabilia can be authenticated - for a price. Armed with sports photos with deliberately faked autographs, Rick visits the show to find out just how sharp-eyed some of the authenticators are.
Take a closer look below at the 'signed' photos of Hall of Famers Johnny Bower and Ted Lindsay that Rick brought in for authentication.
Watch the TSN series and W5 investigation:
Part 1: The Name Game – Thursday at 6pm et on SportsCentre
Part 2: Tickets to Nowhere – Friday at 6pm et on SportsCentre
Part 3: Jersey Ploys – Saturday at 6pm et on SportsCentre
Faking It (full report): Saturday at 7pm local on CTV's W5