Hundreds of Fans Fume While Brazil’s Stars Shop : Soccer: Many who sought players’ autographs at a sporting goods store are left disappointed.
Hundreds of soccer fans chanting “Brazil, ole, ole, ola!” swarmed to Niketown on Thursday to cheer half a dozen members of the Brazilian soccer team, flush from a victory that sent it into the World Cup final round, as they went on a shopping spree.
But the cheers quickly turned to jeers with an announcement by Niketown representatives that the fans’ favorite player, Romario, would rather go shopping inside the store than sign autographs for the fans outside.
Romario, the star forward on Brazil’s team and Nike promoter, was not scheduled to have an autograph session, but more than 300 fans showed up at the store and waited hours to get a glimpse of the player who many believe will lead the South American team to victory Sunday when Brazil meets Italy in the the World Cup final.
Many had skipped work or school to be on hand for his appearance, but only a handful were lucky enough to get Romario’s autograph after his hourlong shopping spree, which added tennis outfits, mesh basketball shorts, walking shoes, a slew of hats, bags and T-shirts to his wardrobe, and provided sweat shirts for his children, said Maggie Del Real, a Niketown saleswoman who followed Romario around the store with a large shopping bag.
“I was overwhelmed and my hands were shaking for the first half-hour,” Del Real said. “But I was just trying to keep up with him.”
After he had made his selections, Romario quickly signed some soccer balls, trading cards, magazines and T-shirts for about 30 people before quietly rising from the table inside the store where he had been signing autographs and departing, leaving hundreds of disappointed fans still lined up outside the door.
“I missed work today for this,” said Pablo Rios, 30, of Costa Mesa. “Fifteen dollars an hour.”
Rios had brought his daughter, son and nephew to the event, and still lingered in the store after Romario disappeared. The children, dressed in striped soccer uniforms and cleats, clutched unsigned soccer balls.
They were hoping to see the other five players, who arrived about 2:30 p.m. to take their pick of sporting shoes and shirts. But shopping was the top priority for the other players too. Nike, a sponsor of the Brazilian team, gives team members an undisclosed amount to to spend on Nike products.
A few appreciative fans managed to sneak an autograph or two as the team members strolled among the aisles and perused the Nike merchandise for hours.
But one local fan was so offended by the snubbing that he said he would be cheering for Italy this Sunday. “They don’t appreciate the fans following and looking up to them,” said Carlos Rodriguez, 20, of Costa Mesa. “I really don’t care now. It doesn’t make any difference.”
Although the visit to Niketown by Romario and the other Brazilian team members had not been announced to the public in advance, fans began forming a line outside the store even before it opened at 10 a.m. Three hours later, hundreds hovered around the store’s entrance wearing yellow Brazil soccer team T-shirts and promotional Nike caps.
Twenty-year-old Alex Lenus of San Clemente, who was one of the first in line, said he “grabbed the car and came down here real quick,” as soon as he heard of the expected appearance.
