Is Brandon Roy Taking Income From Old-Timers?

Okay, here's a weird one. Brandon Roy, reigning Rookie of the Year, goes to sign some autographs at the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame. On the surface, that would seem like a mildly charitable gesture. And Roy, a good guy at the beginning of promising career, would seem to be fine for money.

Except, according to the Portland Tribune, Roy's signature wasn't coming free:

If you had an 8-by-10 photo for him to sign, the price was $40. If Roy's people provided the photo, it was $45 for an 8-by-10, $65 for a 16-by-20. Sign your basketball or jersey? No problem, for $50. Add $10 if you wanted the autograph personalized ("To Jason, best wishes, Brandon Roy").

The article explains that it was a promotional venture set up by third party, which at least confuses the matter slightly. And I'm certainly not a fan of calling players spoiled millionaires, or telling them to give back to the community, or whatever.

Except for one thing: this is serious disrespect of the elders. Roy is rich, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. But for old-timers, who played before the mega-contract or screwed up their post-careers, these autograph rackets are a major source of income. It's fine if Roy wants to make money--he just shouldn't do so at the expense of some middle class Hall of Famer.