Olli Jokinen jerseys hang in sports merchandise retailers across Winnipeg. They’re readily available, despite the fact the team’s big free agent signing has yet to don the Jets silks himself in an NHL game.
Instead of seeing their beloved players light the lamp heading into the holiday, hockey fans have been subjected to video of men in suits for months, and even a Twitter picture of Jets forward Evander Kane holding massive wads of cash.
“No comment.” Said one local retailer when asked how many Evander Kane jerseys it’s sold in the 24 hours since the Jets forward tweeted the controversial photo.
But when it comes to most merchandise, Jets fans don’t seem to be holding a lockout grudge.
“Probably 90% of our sales are jets products”, said Zak Rubin, retail general manager at River City Sports in Kildonan Place.
Rubin said it’s tough to compare to 2011 when fans had to line up to get their hands on anything Jets.
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“With the team coming back in the first season, I don’t think anybody could every compare to that or replicate what we saw last year.”
In December 2012, local retailers say people are buying, albeit, at a bargain as retailers try to move product in a lockout year. Jets gear, along with other NHL-related merchandise, was marked down anywhere from 10– 75% at various retailers across Winnipeg.
“We were hoping (our sale) would be over 3 months ago.” said Rick Lafort, Owner of Uptown Sports in Portage Place Mall.
Retailers say some sports fans needing gifts are turning to the CFL, NFL, NBA, and MLB. Others have simply turned on the NHL. Lafort says he talks to “at least a dozen” customers per day who say they refuse to buy NHL merchandise due to the current NHL work stoppage.
“A lot of fans are disgruntled and feel they’re supporting the NHL if they buy product.”
Canada wide retailer Jersey City tells Global News sales of NHL merchandise aren’t what they’d be during a typical December, but said Manitoba locations were performing well in comparison to outlets in most other Canadian NHL markets.
Whether you buy directly from the team, or a third party retailer, merchandise is all part of Hockey Related Revenue. It’s a billion dollar issue NHL players and owners still haven’t decided how to divide.
“it’s just a sore subject you know?” said hockey fan Andrew Sobkowicz. “I might be more hesitant to buy a jersey if I wanted one.”
Hockey or no hockey, a market that lost its NHL team once, still seems to be in a honeymoon stage about having it back.
“Some people are angry and want to voice it and some people are like me and understand, we have our team back and that’s the bottom line.” Said Rubin.
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