Michael Vick Tops in Jersey Sales

Sales of away and home jerseys totaled 6,140.

With jail behind him, newly signed Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is the top dog when it comes to best-selling NFL jerseys.

The convicted felon, released from prison in May after serving 18 months for his involvement in an illegal dog-fighting ring, had two of the top-selling NFL jerseys for the week ending Aug. 30.

Although Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre had the single top-selling jersey with 4,861 sold, Vick’s away and home jerseys were the second and third top-sellers. Combined, they totaled 6,140 shirts, eclipsing the sales of Favre jerseys, according to SportsOneSource, which tracks purchases for the sporting goods industry. Vick’s “alternate” black Eagles jersey sold 286 that week.

Vick’s numbers are particularly impressive considering that Dick’s Sporting Goods currently does not carry his jerseys at its 409 stores, according to Jim Delaney, owner of Activate Sports & Entertainment, a Boston marketing firm.

“It goes to show the power of the Eagles’ fan base and the passion that they have for that team,” Delaney said. “Apparently they’re willing to offer Vick redemption if it means more (wins). If not, watch out how quickly those jerseys litter the parking lot.”

Jersey sales for marquee pro athletes typically rise when they’re signed by another team. Similarly to Vick, who was signed by the Eagles on Aug. 13, Favre came out of retirement for a second time to join the Vikings five days later.

“Had Vick gone back to Atlanta, where people already owned Vick jerseys, you wouldn’t have seen a spike in sales,” Delaney said.

Dan Lebowitz, executive director of Northeastern University’s Sport in Society center, says citizens have a chance to look at themselves introspectively through Vick.

“Do we want to be a nation about allowing and accepting redemption or do we want to be a nation that continues to be punitive beyond the point of punishment that he’s already served?” he said. “We’ve seen in the last few weeks that (U.S. Sen. Ted) Kennedy had that chance for redemption, and I’m hopeful that Michael Vick will have that chance. The fact his are the top-selling jerseys may speak to that fact.”

Source: Goodison, Donna. "Michael Vick Tops in Jersey Sales" http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1196273
09 Sept 2009