Popular Packers jerseys may soon be hard to find

Madison.com ^ | 12-29-11

[afraidfortherepublic]

A new supplier combined with the Packers popularity might make favored jerseys like Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews scarce over the next three months and then more expensive.

In April, Nike and several other new vendors will take over from Reebok. Retailers say Reebok ordered conservatively going into the season. Their plans also were also affected by the NFL lockout, which still was in effect when buying decisions were made.

Brian Swallow, with online retailer Fanatics, says sales of their Packers items are up 170 percent. He says retailers have to predict sometimes a year in advance.

Mike Walters, manager of the Jersey Store in Ashwaubenon, tells the Green Bay Press-Gazette ( http://gbpg.net/tDtvzE) the cheapest Nike jersey will be $100, up from $75. Authentic jerseys will be $250, a $60 to $75 increase.

[GunRunner]

The Packers are relatively unique because fans can actually buy shares in the team, kind of like stock. They don't pay dividends, but to answer your question, it's a truly fan-owned team.

You can buy shares on the Packer site and they'll send you an ownership certificate:

Packer Shareholders

Green Bay Packers, Inc., has been a publicly owned, nonprofit corporation since Aug. 18, 1923, when original articles of incorporation were filed with Wisconsin’s secretary of state.

A total of 4,750,937 shares is owned by 112,158 stockholders none of whom receives any dividend on the initial investment.

The corporation is governed by a board of directors and a seven member executive committee.

[Shady]

Bought a #12 at Shopko when I was there in July, and I have my Reggie White Jersey (vintage 1994 or 1995) that I wore to Lambeau when I got to a game in ‘09....We also have a chunk of the frozen tundra and are owners as well...

We are set....GO PACK GO!!!

[WaterWeWaitinFor]

My #66 Ray Nitschke Jersey was a Birthday Gift from my husband last September to replace my #4 Jersey. There is NOTHING like going to a game at Lambeau. BTW, a note to other team’s fans - you are welcome at Lambeau and you will be treated like our guest. No sympathy when we beat you.

The 6 seats in front of our 6 seats are always filled with the opponent’s fans and they are always amazed how much fun they have with us.

This sums up “flyover” country to the snobby elites on the left and right coasts. We are middle America, proud, hard working and loyal and polite. We love our Packers and win or lose we’re loyal Packer Backers. Always note the stands are always filled at the end of each game. No leaving at half time. No way!!

[afraidfortherepublic]

I’ve only gotten to see one Packer game in person since they left Milwaukee. We sold a bunch of scrap to a dealer, and he forgot to pay us. When he sent our check, he enclosed 4 tickets to Lambeau as an apology — Box seats right in front of the glass enclosed area. This was several years ago. What an experience. We are still talking about it.

It was a first class day all around. We had a parking ticket right in the tailgate area. We didn’t bring our own food, but made reservations at Curley’s which offered great food at a very good price We took old friends. One of them was in a motorized scooter. We went up to the stands in the elevator, and the ushers found a place to park her scooter.

6 seats in front of us were occupied by young men - 19-24. This was a couple of years after Favre left, and they were all wearing #4 jerseys in various colors. Evveryone was in good spirits and we all had a great time.

[aliquando]

Maybe the fact that my pro team is Atlanta does not help my enthusiasm for the pro game. I truly love attending a college game. You nailed the reason, it is the tradition. It is my way of life vs. your way of life. My diploma vs. yours. I just do not get that feeling in a dome with players who have no real connection with the area. I had players(not many since I was a Biology major) in classes with me. To each his own I guess. It is still only football(did I really write that?).

[GunRunner]

That certainly does not help (being in Atlanta). The Falcons are one of the most milquetoast teams out there. I can see why it's hard to get excited about a team who are regular season heroes who always blow it in the playoffs and have a quarterback with a personality that makes Al Gore look like an interesting person.

People get excited for Green Bay because from what I've heard, the atmosphere is almost like a college atmosphere. On the other side of the spectrum you have a team like the Dallas Cowboys with a billion dollar stadium that charges $26 for a double Jack and Coke, but there's still reason to get charged up for your favorite pro team, and you know that the competition isn't ever going to result in a 66-6 score or some other nonsense.

And the Pros have the playoffs, which is where it really gets fun. It's hard to get excited about the Champs Sports Bowl and the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl. Who cares? I care because I'm a Texas and Florida State fan, but why else would anyone who doesn't have a stake in the teams that are playing care? But you can bet I'll be watching every single NFL playoff game.

[bobby.223]

Agreed, great book. As a pack fan I bought it and read it the week it came out. His sequel to it was good also