Media booted from Braun's autograph session



MEQUON (WITI) -- Surrounded in controversy, representatives for Ryan Braun kicked out a FOX6 news crew shortly before the slugger arrived for an autograph session at Legends of the Field in Mequon Saturday, June 8th.

Braun's representatives are being extra sensitive just days after rumors surfaced that the former MVP could be suspended for 100 games for taking performance enhancing drugs. Braun has repeatedly denied taking PEDs.

Fans dished out between $150 and $200 per autograph and a chance to meet the Brewers slugger on Saturday. FOX6 was invited to the event by the owners of the sports memorabilia store, who organized the session, but our crew was booted shortly after arriving.

Fans who attended the signing say they are sticking with their team's star.

"Until everything comes out, just take it for what it's worth. It's just a bunch of rumors right now," says fan Kevin Panyk.

"My family supports him until we hear otherwise. We have to take the word of the hometown guy," says Nick Yohanek of Whitewater.

Yohanek has more invested in Braun than just his love of the team. The avid collector says he's spent nearly $15,000 on Braun memorabilia. Doping rumors are threatening the value of his items.

"I could see the spike when he won MVP, and then after the first report came out you could tell everything came back down to earth. People started selling some things," says Yohanek.

An ESPN Outside The Lines report says Braun is in a group of about 20 players the MLB is looking to suspend for their association with a Miami-based clinic accused of supplying performance enhancing drugs.

Earlier this week Braun told reporters, “The truth has not changed." He declined to comment further.