Buyer says controversial Travis Kelce jersey didn’t pass an authenticity test Spencer Turcotte CTV News Kitchener Videographer Follow | Contact Published March 8, 2024 11:12 p.m. WAT

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 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.

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.