Buyer says controversial Travis Kelce jersey didn't pass an authenticity test
Concern about some big tickets items sold at a Guelph, Ont., charity auction last month hasn’t died down.
The one that got the most attention – a Kansas City Chiefs jersey, which was advertised as signed by star player Travis Kelce and his pop star girlfriend Taylor Swift.
The person who won that jersey reached out to CTV News after seeing previous coverage with experts questioning its authenticity.
Despite the fact the jersey came with a certificate of authenticity, she requested further verification.
The answer she got – wasn’t what she was hoping for.
Up for auction
The jersey, which was advertised with the star-studded signatures, boosted the profile and value of the Linamar Curling for Kids event in support of the Guelph Wish Fund – a charity that grants “wishes” to children suffering from serious illnesses and injuries in the City of Guelph and Wellington County.
“With what’s going on, and all the hoopla in the media, this was the perfect prize,” Dave Kavanagh, the charity’s employee campaign chair, previously told CTV News.
The #87 jersey ultimately sold for $21,000.
Authenticity concerns
The auction sparked questions about the authenticity of the item and the signatures.
The buyer contacted CTV News after seeing our story about those concerns.
CTV News has decided not to identify her as she expressed that she donates for many reasons but not for recognition or the spotlight.
The buyer, through a series of email exchanges, explained that she never would have bid on the jersey if it wasn’t authentic.
“To think someone would chance tainting donations, or an event, that raises funds and awareness for a children’s wish fund makes me nauseous,” she wrote.
Getting a second opinion
The jersey came with a certificate of authenticity that, as the label read, came from Jerzey Sports Memorabilia.
Scott Johnston, who gave the jersey and other items to the auction, told CTV News he runs that business.
The auction winner said she wanted to verify the jersey for herself so got a second opinion from Beckett Authentication Services, a reputable authentication service based in the U.S.
“[The jersey], of course, didn’t pass,” the buyer told CTV News.
She then received a text from someone who didn’t identify the organization they were with, saying that if she wasn’t happy with the purchase she could return the jersey and get a refund.
The buyer said she accepted that offer and the cheque cleared on Tuesday.
Search for answers
CTV News reached out to Scott Johnston of Jerzey Sports Memorabilia again to give him a chance to respond to the allegations.
Johnston ignored multiple requests for an interview but continued to respond to emails from CTV News.
Some of messages were signed by a person named Brett Gallagher, who identified as Johnston’s lawyer.
However, CTV News was unable to find a lawyer with that name registered with the Law Society of Ontario.
A search of Jerzey Sports Memorabilia also turned up no official website.
Johnston responded to questions about Jerzey Sports’ Authentication process through email.
“Please include the part that IT IS OUR OPINION,” he wrote.
Scott Johnston seen in a video promoting items being auctioned off for Guelph charities. (Source: Linamar)
He was also asked about the jersey not passing Beckett Authentication Services qualifications.
“Forget about the bullshit about Beckett and KSA,” he said. “I can prove that both are form letters and are money makers.”
Johnston added that Jerzey Sports Memorabilia authenticates “the same as everyone else” and, in his view, the signatures look the same as others that appear on Google searches and authenticated samples.
Responses from Linamar and the charity
CTV News also reached out to Linamar, who hosted the charity auction.
A statement from the company’s vice-president of global human resources, Roxanne Rose, said: “The whole situation is unfortunately given all efforts were to help children through this charitable initiative. We hope that any concerns have been settled and we can refocus on those children again.”
Whether the promised money reached the charities is unclear.
The Guelph Wish Fund also shared a statement with CTV News.
“We haven’t yet received our donation cheque from the Curling for Kids Bonspiel event organizers as they are working on collecting and finalizing the donations raised from the event,” wrote executive director Jessica Hill.
She added that the charity is grateful for the event organizers and their support.
The Guelph Police Service said they have not received any formal complaints about the matter.
CTV News also reached out to the Kansas City Chiefs to weigh in but we did not hear back by our deadline.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ontario to ban use of cellphones in school classrooms starting in September
Ontario is introducing a suite of measures that will crack down on cellphone use and vaping in schools.
'Do not consume': Gift Chocolate recalled due to undeclared milk, soy
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall for a specific chocolate brand sold in Ontario and Quebec.
Kitchener family says their 10-year-old needs life-saving drug that cost $600,000
Raneem, 10, lives with a neurological condition and liver disease and needs Cholbam, a medication, for a longer and healthier life.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Murder charge laid after man falls to death from Toronto apartment balcony
One person has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a man who fell from a balcony following an altercation inside a Toronto apartment building.
Dozens in Italy give a fascist salute on the anniversary of Mussolini's execution
Dozens of people raised their arms in the fascist salute and shouted a fascist chant during ceremonies Sunday to honor Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on the 79th anniversary of his execution.
Zendaya tennis movie ‘Challengers’ scores at weekend box office
Zendaya and castmates Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor have been on a globetrotting press tour to get the word out about Italian director Luca Guadagnino's original film, which opened in 3,477 locations in the U.S. and Canada.
Quebec to invest $603 million to protect the French language
Quebec will invest $603 million over five years to counter the decline of French in the province, French Language Minister Jean-Francois Roberge announced Sunday.
Nicole Kidman, who 'makes movies better,' gets AFI Life Achievement Award
Morgan Freeman spoke the words, but pretty much everyone who took the stage at the presentation of the AFI Life Achievement Award agreed: "Nicole Kidman. She makes movies better."