Dick's Sporting Goods has decided not to sell Michael Vick's No. 7 Philadelphia Eagles jersey at least until it gauges the public's reaction to his return to football. But sales of Vick's new jersey are available at Modell's and NFLshop.com.
In a prepared statement, Dick's SG's Chief Marketing Officer Jeff Hennion said, “We are simply evaluating the reaction of Eagles fans before we commit to buy it to sell in our stores. Right now, we're not sure how much demand there really is. If there's demand for it, we'll sell it.”
Hennion further told Bloomberg News in an interview that Dick’s SG is analyzing customer service calls, search queries on its website and inquiries at Philadelphia-area stores to gauge customer interest.
“We have not seen enough demand from Eagles fans to stock the jersey,” Hennion reiterated to the news service. “We have no problem stocking the jersey if the demand is there..
Mitchell Modell, owner and CEO of Modell's Sporting Goods, told the Philadelphia Inquirer that he initially had reservations about selling Vick's jerseys. But the stores are now stocking the jersey after witnessing “pretty high demand” for No. 7's replica sports apparel, especially at the chain's Philadelphia stores.
“We weren't planning on selling it until the customers started coming into the stores demanding it,” said Modell. “As long as the customers are coming in, we'll sell it. We're in the business to serve our customers.”
At nflshop.com, Vick's Eagle jerseys is available in dark green, white or black, are offered for $79.99 and $109.99 and up. The NFLShop is also selling an Eagles jersey for dogs that could be customized with the No. 7 and VICK on the back for $39.99.
“Just as you could with any other player, you can buy a customizable jersey for a dog with anybody's name on it,” Greg Aiello, a league spokesman, told the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Aiello noted that there are some names – citing, for example, “Badnewz,” the name of Vick's former kennel – that the NFL would not accept on a dog jersey.
“But just to have Michael Vick's name on the back is not an issue,” Aiello said. “Vick is working with the Humane Society and speaking out for the proper treatment of animals, so we don't see a problem.”
Vick, the former quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, was released from a federal prison in May after serving 18 months on a dog-fighting conviction. He signed with the Eagles last week.
The day after his arrest on dogfighting charges in July 2007, the NFLShop.com removed Vick's Falcons jerseys and other collectibles from its website. Reebok, which holds the exclusive license for NFL jerseys and sideline apparel, suspended sales soon after.
Separately, a report by Street & Smith's Sports Business Journal revealed the 25 top-selling jerseys on NFLShop.com over the last four months:
1. Bears QB Jay Cutler
2. Steelers S Troy Polamalu
3. Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger
4. Cowboys QB Tony Romo
5. Jets QB Mark Sanchez
6. Patriots QB Tom Brady
7. Bills WR Terrell Owens
8. 49ers WR Michael Crabtree
9. Giants QB Eli Manning
10. Vikings RB Adrian Peterson
11. Steelers WR Hines Ward
12. Colts QB Peyton Manning
13. Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson
14. Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald
15. Cowboys TE Jason Witten
16. Falcons QB Matt Ryan
17. Ravens QB Joe Flacco
18. Cowboys RB Marion Barber
19. Bears LB Brian Urlacher
20. Bears WR Devin Hester
21. Cardinals QB Kurt Warner
22. Eagles RB Brian Westbrook
23. 49ers LB Patrick Willis
24. Giants RB Brandon Jacobs
25. Chiefs QB Matt Cassel