Tough Times in the Newspaper Biz: NY Times Hawks Collectibles

I know that newspapers are going through hard times, but this is ridiculous: The NY Times is hawking sports memorabilia on its website, including a Phil Simms Signed Football ($400), Lawrence Taylor Autographed Mini Replica Helmet ($300), Mark Messier Signed Puck ($200).
These are not ads for some outside retailer; these are being sold by the Times itself, through its New York Times Store, which is “is part of the News Services Division of The New York Times.” News Services? Do sports reporters have to bring along some balls for athletes to sign during postgame interviews?
And let’s not even mention (oops, I already have) the wide assortment of Fine Art—all reproductions.
These pricey “limited editions” of modern copies of older works must make the Times’ art critics cringe. Let’s just hope they don’t advertise their faux Audubon prints next to a review about the real ones.