Vigilante takes to eBay to thwart auctioning of Aaron Hernandez's jersey

[FortressX]

The Aaron Hernandez saga gets more and more bizarre as it appears that one or more vigilantes have taken to eBay, targeting fans they believe are trying to cash in on the NFL star's notoriety.

Hernandez has been charged with the murder of Odin Lloyd, but that has not prevented sales of his jersey on the online auction site to skyrocket, spiking to figures as high as $3,050.

However, those inflated prices may have been driven by at least one rogue eBay trader, who placed repeated bids on Hernandez jerseys only to refuse to pay after winning the auctions.

Y! SPORTS

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl--vigilante-takes-to-ebay-to-thwart-auctioning-of-aaron-hernandez-s-jersey-003126864.html

 

[goheels22002]

Y! SPORTS

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl--vigilante-takes-to-ebay-to-thwart-auctioning-of-aaron-hernandez-s-jersey-003126864.html

eBay will blackball the vigilante for not paying. No big deal.

 

[blackglass3]

It's a sick world we live in, where people will pay such a high price for "murder-ibilia". I really hope if anyone tries to wear a Hernandez jersey to a Pats game security kicks them out.

 

[resdubwhite]

It's a sick world we live in, where people will pay such a high price for "murder-ibilia". I really hope if anyone tries to wear a Hernandez jersey to a Pats game security kicks them out.

I would imagine security wouldnt have a leg to stand on in such cases?

 

[lurker1965]

eBay will blackball the vigilante for not paying. No big deal.

It is a free country. They are free to sell it. He is free to "Vigilante." eBay is free to ban him for non-payment. He is also free to make another account using various computers to avoid IP tracking.

 

[lurker1965]

I would imagine security wouldnt have a leg to stand on in such cases?

Bingo! Although it is private property it is a public gathering and can be argued as a free speech thing. (I have no idea what the translation is - "I like murders." - but it can be argued.)

It'd be like having a bed sheet banner saying, "Kraft sucks!!!" Does security have the right to tear that down? Arguments can be made both ways since it is private property and a public gathering.

 

[blackglass3]

Bingo! Although it is private property it is a public gathering and can be argued as a free speech thing. (I have no idea what the translation is - "I like murders." - but it can be argued.)

It'd be like having a bed sheet banner saying, "Kraft sucks!!!" Does security have the right to tear that down? Arguments can be made both ways since it is private property and a public gathering.

Incorrect. The use of free speech stops the second you walk into Gillette Stadium. It's right there on the Patriots website:

PROHIBITED ITEMS:

Any item deemed inappropriate by stadium management will not be allowed into the stadium, including but not limited to:

...
*Any other item deemed inappropriate by stadium management

No prohibited items will be accepted at the stadium for safekeeping. While this may be an inconvenience we are sure you understand the reasoning behind the policy - please leave all such items secured in your vehicle.

Prohibited items that are discovered will be confiscated. Individuals in possession of a prohibited item(s) may be denied admission to the stadium, ejected, arrested, prosecuted, and may forfeit the privileges of the season ticket holder of record.

I am POSITIVE an Aaron Hernandez jersey will fall into an item deemed "inappropriate by stadium management", and is not allowed to be worn there. Your "Kraft Sucks!!!" banner would also get yanked the second it was seen by security.

BANNER POLICY

To maintain a family atmosphere, stadium management reserves the right to approve or disapprove all banners. In addition, stadium management reserves the right to prohibit banners due to space availability, banner size, interference with other fans or message content.

And that's the way it should be. If you want to say Kraft sucks (and I know you're not, just using it as an example) you can anywhere in America that isn't 1 Patriot Place. If you want to wear an Aaron Hernandez jersey by all means do it, but doing it in Foxboro makes the team and the brand look bad and Security have every right to make you take it off or throw you out of Gillette if you won't.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I am POSITIVE an Aaron Hernandez jersey will fall into an item deemed "inappropriate by stadium management", and is not allowed to be worn there. Your "Kraft Sucks!!!" banner would also get yanked the second it was seen by security.

They could, but I don't think it's worth the time to check the jersey of every person with an 81 jersey (hello, Randy Moss fans).

 

[lurker1965]

Incorrect. The use of free speech stops the second you walk into Gillette Stadium. It's right there on the Patriots website:



I am POSITIVE an Aaron Hernandez jersey will fall into an item deemed "inappropriate by stadium management", and is not allowed to be worn there. Your "Kraft Sucks!!!" banner would also get yanked the second it was seen by security.



And that's the way it should be. If you want to say Kraft sucks (and I know you're not, just using it as an example) you can anywhere in America that isn't 1 Patriot Place. If you want to wear an Aaron Hernandez jersey by all means do it, but doing it in Foxboro makes the team and the brand look bad and Security have every right to make you take it off or throw you out of Gillette if you won't.

I stand corrected.
What happened to the Redskins when they were destroying banners against their owner (whose name I forget)

BANG CARTOONS: presents MANIC SUPPRESSION

Were they legally OK? Unsued? Or just a massive PR hit.

 

[Gwedd]

Back to the OP's topic:

Ebay states clearly that when you bid on an item, you have entered into a legally binding contract. I know that in two cases, ebay managed to force payment from bidders who refused to pay, or simply ignored attempts to collect.

These were items I had listed and for which the bidders "changed their minds", but after they had won the items. Since ebay also owns PayPal, which is now a requirement for bidding and listing, they were able to gain payment through those accounts, and also through the supporting accounts that were connected to ebay.

It was a fair amount of money here, and ebay aggressively enforces it's policies. I hope that do the same thing with these clowns.

 

[jmt57]

Bingo! Although it is private property it is a public gathering and can be argued as a free speech thing. (I have no idea what the translation is - "I like murders." - but it can be argued.)

It'd be like having a bed sheet banner saying, "Kraft sucks!!!" Does security have the right to tear that down? Arguments can be made both ways since it is private property and a public gathering.

The private property is what is more important.

Leave the Patriots out of it, and consider another hypothetical. Let's say a person does not like Home Depot, and he wears a t-shirt saying how bad Home Depot is into that store, and walks up and down the aisles there telling customers that they should leave and go take their business to Lowe's. When asked to leave he claims he should be allowed to stay, citing freedom of speech.

Obviously in that scenario he is incorrect in his interpretation of the first amendment; the store should not be forced to allow him to do that.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

What Does Free Speech Mean?

 

[TrueBeliever]

First, on the "Free Speech" thing. Yes, it ends when you enter the stadium, though it depends on who decides it's inappropriate. In 2008, the year the Lions went 0-16, I went to their home game against Jacksonville. At one point I noticed a couple guys in the stands across the field from me with a bedsheet sign that read "BOYCOTT THE LIONS!" A little while later I looked over and those guys were being escorted out of the stadium by security. (Though in all fairness, they may have been bothering the fans around them too and that's what got them kicked out. It was on the other side of the stadium so I don't rightly know.)

Then again, way back in 1996 I was at the Patriots-Packers preseason game at Lambeau Field and saw a guy wearing a shirt that said "F*** DALLAS" (and not censored neither, it was the actual F-word.) Course that was before 9/11, maybe they weren't as touchy back then.

As for eBay, the guy that did that super-bidding could get in trouble, yes... but I think more than likely the sellers will just re-list the item and add a condition that bidders with new accounts or low feedback ratings can't bid without prior approval. What they really go after is people who take the money for the item and then don't deliver. Just my $.02.

 

[spacecrime]

I would imagine security wouldnt have a leg to stand on in such cases?

I imagine they would for three reasons:

1. Security will remove people who cause a disturbance, and if there is a disturbance centered around the jersey-wearer, security is within their rights to remove the person and if they are seasons ticket holders, the Pats can revoke the season tickets.

2. Admission to Gillette is a purchased license, not a right, and the conditions of the license is following the rules of the Patriots. All they have to say is, "No Hernandez jerseys allowed," which is their right, and security can remove the person and if they are seasons ticket holders, the Pats can revoke the season tickets.

3. There is precedent. Fans were removed from the Lions Ford Field for wearing "FIRE MATT MILLEN" jerseys.

BTW, Gillette is not a public gathering. Route One, yes. Inside a place with guards to keep out people who do not have permission to enter isn't public.

 

[JarOfMayo51]

It's a sick world we live in, where people will pay such a high price for "murder-ibilia". I really hope if anyone tries to wear a Hernandez jersey to a Pats game security kicks them out.

A) he hasnt been found guilty yet
B) even if found guilty, its freedom of speech to wear whatever you want.. security would have no basis to kick someone out of a game because they're wearing a hernandez jersey. That us uneamerican, as much as you may not agree with it.
C) there is the remote possibility that they arent paying attention to the news cycles etc this off season and might be a casual fan

 

[Deus Irae]

It's a sick world we live in, where people will pay such a high price for "murder-ibilia". I really hope if anyone tries to wear a Hernandez jersey to a Pats game security kicks them out.

Security would be fools for doing that, and it's a shame that any human would think it's a good idea.

 

[rjw]

What gets me on the crazy amount of these jerseys, is the amount some of these people are asking. I'm talking about original listing price. I saw one asking $284 for a reebok knock-off.

 

[Fixit]

A) he hasnt been found guilty yet
B) even if found guilty, its freedom of speech to wear whatever you want.. security would have no basis to kick someone out of a game because they're wearing a hernandez jersey. That us uneamerican, as much as you may not agree with it.
C) there is the remote possibility that they arent paying attention to the news cycles etc this off season and might be a casual fan

A) I admire your optimism, but his legal guilt or lack thereof isn't relevant to his jersey being allowed inside the stadium.
B) Wrong, even though you threw "un-American" in there.
C) This is one of the biggest news stories in the world. Even non-football fans are talking about it. And, oh, what "casual" fan would spring for a jersey, but have no idea that the guy they're wearing is being charged with (currently only one) murder?

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

I was going to put mine on ebay..but i am headed to gillette sat night to exchange it for a new jersey for free. Needed a new one anyways

 

[lurker1965]

...
3. There is precedent. Fans were removed from the Lions Ford Field for wearing "FIRE MATT MILLEN" jerseys.

BTW, Gillette is not a public gathering. Route One, yes. Inside a place with guards to keep out people who do not have permission to enter isn't public.

I'm not saying it is a winning argument, I'm saying it is one that WILL be made.

In any event, throwing a guy for ONLY wearing a Hernandez jersey would be a PR nightmare.

"Only" is a big part of that.

 

[SB39]

He is free to "Vigilante."

That's not entirely true. Technically speaking, bids and purchases on eBay are legally binding contracts. Now, it ain't exactly like the cops are going to break down the door and haul you off to jail if you refuse to pay, but if a seller decided to bring a non-paying buyer to small claims court, the seller would win.

Of course, sellers could do the smart thing like I do when I sell stuff on eBay and just set a fair price with the "buy it now" option where anyone who buys the item is required to make immediate payment.