same guy has authenticated Duke Johnson gear.
Good grief, once again, it's not about the authenticator. The authenticator analyzes the autograph to make sure it is legitimate. If I get Duke to sign a jersey, I will send it to JSA. I've taken items to James Spence Jr. at memorabilia shows. They have nothing to do with this. Where you don't want to get caught is signing for the guy who sends all of these items to JSA in bulk. HE is the one who is paying players to sign for him.
This is not complex. You continue to lay out exactly what happens.
Like the first item listed on the ebay link for Duke Johnson. It is an autographed helmet. The description says it was obtained at a season ticket holder event and comes with a COA and matching holograms. Those will most likely come in one of two forms.
Possibility #1 The person had the helmet signed, then sent it to an authenticator, like JSA, to be authenticated -- JSA gives thumbs up, puts little sticker on it and sends back a letter and certificate.
Second possibility, the seller is a larger dealer/collector who provides his own COA/hologram. He is basically saying --- trust me, take my word for this, I have a proven track record and I stand behind that this autograph is legitimate.
The problem that Winston and Gurley are facing is the large number in sequential order. Whether or not Jameis signs hundreds of autographs after baseball games. That would assume, all those people paid JSA to authenticate the items, all at the same time. That is highly unlikely. Also highly unlikely, that someone is going to sit down and sign between 350-1000 items at one time for someone for free.
Should they be able to sell their own ****? - YES
Is it currently against the rules? - YES