Yes, now you can pay to be in The American Motorcyclist Association Motorcycle Hall of Fame but not as a “Wall Of Famer.” AMA has introduced a new way for individuals and companies to help promote and protect motorcycling’s heritage: It’s called “My Hall of Fame.”
“The idea is simple,” said AMA Director of Operations and Hall of Famer Jack Penton. “For a small donation, your photo can hang on the wall of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame museum entrance foyer during the campaign year. The image you put in that space can be a photo of you, your family, your friends, your bike, your company logo — anything appropriate for public display.
A 3-inch-square photo will be placed on the wall for a $20 donation, while an $80 donation includes a 6-inch-square photo and a $180 donation secures a 9-inch-square photo. All donors participating in the My Hall of Fame program receive an official certificate noting that their picture is on display. All proceeds support the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Supporters who wish to get involved visit the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation.
People payed their way in long before this program.
Money may be tight But Paying To Get Into Hall of Fame Ain’t Right
Even if it is only at the entrance foyer
I have my share of “fans” here that may pay for no picture. What do you think that’s worth?
Seems like leaving a business card on the wall in a restaurant. AMA can use the money and it’s not like being “inducted”. Not my kind of thing though
They haven’t sold their museum name rights like stadiums do yet but it is a step in the that direction. I bet politicians will be buying their way in there too.
Kudos – to the AMA for protecting the rights of riders.
Shame – for back door deals.
So it has been said with a well known motorcycle manufacturer in changing racing rules for saids such benefit like Flat Track.
May I ad some changes have been made in the right direction by decent people who are not holding their hands out as in the past.
This is a can of worms that I hate to see opened…. I realize it is no Nobel Peace Prize but that mockery comes to mind a lot these days as I watch different inductions…. nothing is new about folks buying their way into the motorcycle world but shame on the AMA for taking an active part in the sellout…..
Jeff I am sure you are right and I have been questioned about how so and so got into a Hall of Fame. Not only the AMA but the Sturgis one as well. My answer is that I do not know. I tell the people asking those questions to ask the people responsible. I have heard a lot of rumors and reasons why so and so should not have been inducted. There are some that I question as well but I have not looked into it enough to make comments and or actuations.
I would like to think that people who got inducted actually earned it and did not buy their way in, but I am not so naïve to think it could not or does not happen.
Beanr’e Politicians are already a part of the Hall of Fame and others have a lot of influence in them.
Banshee – Hopefully this will be a wakeup call to all the museums that people are watching what they are doing and they will conduct themselves in such a manner as not to be criticized for their action. I know they will not be able to please everyone but lowering the possibilities of impieties will go a long way in keeping them in good light.
Hopefully there are by-laws in place that board members cannot have personally benefited financially from any one they nominate and or vote for. Businesses that do a lot to benefit motorcycling are often nominated and in some cases rightfully so others not. I suspect this is where a lot of questions will arise and be criticized.
Bottom line is these organizations are looking for support from motorcycle riders and their actions are being watched. The final decision on how they handle situations may well influence how people support and or not their organization.
The AMA sold the name and operation AMA RACING to the France family that owns NASCAR
The Sturgis Museum Hall Of Fame may be the worst. So easy to buy your way in it. Some inductees of years ago deserve it. Now, it’s a complete joke. Just look at some inductees of last year and of this year. Just kiss ass, make a donation and ask a couple of friends to recommend you because you recommended them the previous year. The museum doesn’t know who is who in the industry and who has merit.
Easy. Boycott all these museum fund raising events until they explain how they make their choice. An application with a donation? The good ones never apply…
Wall of shame.
It’s nothing new. Fund raising. They are not buying their way into the hall of fame. Just showing their support in a manner that was suggested to them by the museum. It’s not an unusual practice. You’ll see something like this in all museums that accept/lobby for support from outside sources. It’s how they pay for the exhibits. Building exhibits can be costly…I see no reason NOT to ask outside influences to help pay for them. I’d rather this than find the cost to enter above my comfort zone to pay. Which is what happens when museums find themselves short on funds.
I think the headline sets the wrong tone, you are not buying your way into the hall of fame, you are merely a sponsor. There is a big difference between the two.
Oh, lets talk about paying to get into things!
Decker is 110% correct on this!
Look at all these people who pop up in the industry and go directly to the magazines, buy some advertising and BAM they are suddenly on the cover, getting bikes shot month after month, etc… You can’t say its truthfully the bike getting itself in the magazine can you? Some of these cats in the hALL OF fame NOT A SOUL has heard of BUT they happen to be in there for a “small fee”….
Sorry, but you don’t see Pete Rose buying his way into shit…. and he is banned from ever being in the Hall of Fame for Baseball!!!
Shits a joke!
Well said, Conrad. All these new builders kissing ass with magazines and hall of not famous museums make me throw up. Try to kiss ass with Cyril. You will get…nothing.
Have had sveral nices customs./ How much to be a “Hamster?{Just Joking>}