The following story doesn’t report the fact that The Juice had an entourage of blond babes with him at the time he was booted from a sports memorabilia show..
Illinois- O.J. was in the house — so they booted him.
O.J. Simpson — acquitted of killing his ex-wife and her friend nearly 10 years ago — showed up to sign autographs at the National Sports Collectors Convention in Rosemont on Saturday but was asked to leave within an hour, convention organizers said.
Celebrities need prior approval to sign autographs at the show, and neither Simpson nor the exhibitor that apparently invited him had sought permission, convention spokesman Bob Ibach said.
And even if they had, Simpson likely wouldn’t have gotten it.
“The subject of Simpson one day being a guest has been raised in the past and has been strongly opposed by the board of directors,” said Bob Byer, the convention’s director.
Simpson apparently was invited by exhibitor Justin Communications, which had advertised memorabilia autographed and personalized by Simpson, officials said. Some of his signed items reportedly were going for about $100 Saturday.
When convention officials got wind of Simpson’s arrival, they had security escort him from the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center without incident. Justin Communications was also evicted from the show, which ends today.
Officials said Simpson’s “unauthorized” and “unexpected” appearance violated Justin Communications’ lease agreement for the booth.
The convention features more than 700 booths and more than 125 sports stars, including former basketball great Oscar Robertson and University of Illinois basketball coach Bruce Weber.
Officials with Justin Communications could not be reached for comment. Ibach could not provide details on the company.