Dick's Sporting Goods last week 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 the majority of retailers with stores in the region, including Modell's and Schuylkill Valley Sports, are selling the jerseys. NFLShop.com is also selling Vick's jerseys.
In a prepared statement, Dick's Sporting Goods’ 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.”
Mitchell Modell, owner and CEO of Modell's Sporting Goods, indicated that he initially had reservations about selling Vick's jerseys after the quarterback signed with the Eagles on August 14. But the retailer began stocking the jersey after seeing strong demand for No. 7's replica sports apparel, especially at the chain's Philadelphia stores, and hearing customer requests for the item.
“We began receiving calls from customers as soon as it was announced that he was coming to Philly,” said Modell. “We weren’t planning on carrying the jersey but demand quickly increased and, being the hometown sporting goods store, we listened to our customers. It’s our job to listen to them. It’s the reason we’ve been in business for 120 years.”
Jerry Williams, president of Schuylkill Valley Sports, likewise said the company decided to sell the jerseys because its purpose is to meet the needs of its customers.
“We're here to sell sporting goods,” said Williams. “It's the same reason we carry Kobe Bryant and Ray Lewis jerseys. We're not here to take a political stance. We're here to make money and it's not easy to make money. And if we didn't have it, we would upset our customers who expect us have the latest, greatest and hottest items. They expect us to have it.”
Williams describes sales of Vick's jersey as “good but not incredible,” expecting sales to pick up once Vick suits up for a game. That's expected to happen on Thursday, August 27 in a pre-season match at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
At NFLShop.com, Vick's Eagles jersey is available in dark green, white or black, at prices ranging from $79.99 to $109.99. Just as with all other players, 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 told the Inquirer. “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. 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.
