Big Lead Sports Bar

4/15/2010

SURPRISE! ROETHLISBERGER JERSEYS ARE SLOW MOVERS



In the least-shocking story of the year, WPXI is reporting that no one is buying Ben Roethlisberger jerseys, which are being discounted up to 50%. And that, my friends, is the one story no one has been talking about so far in this whirlwind week of Steeler news. 

In the cases of Roethlisberger and Santonio Holmes, sellers of Steeler merchandise are basically stuck with completely dead inventory at this point, which is probably considerable given the fact that they are/were both such popular and marketable players up until recently. This is not like when the Steelers rid themselves of Cedrick Wilson; retailers have made significant investments in jerseys, t-shirts, memorabilia and related merchandise of this duo - and trust me, given my background, I can vouch for the fact that it is going nowhere fast. 

I don't expect a pity party for any retailers of Steeler gear, because all in all, I'd say it's been a pretty good decade for most of them. But I would not want to be the one at a place like Dick's Sporting Goods staring at a warehouse full of #7 and #10 jerseys right now. I realize that it's a business and there's ample risk involved, but yes, I do feel sorry for companies in situations like this. It's not like they knew when the 2009 season ended that this would be the circumstances that would hit in the offseason. 

You want evidence that fans have soured considerably on the Steelers? Talk to one of these retailers. People talk with their wallets, and those wallets have gone noticeably silent of late.


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14 comments:

Unknown said...

It's time for someone to speak up....Don, you've always been an objective observer. I think you can attribute a lot of this sites success to the fact that you've always remained objective. Maybe I'm being paranoid, but I can't help but think that you've "soured" on the Steelers. It started with that obnoxious Console Energy Center article and has gotten worse from there. We're all upset with what has happened over the off season, but I'm not turning my back on the entire franchise just yet. Again, maybe I'm being paranoid, but it almost feels like you're gloating at this point.

Dom Errico said...

He's commenting on a story that's out there. Why? Because he's a sports opinion blog.

A lot of people are pissed off right now. I'm a diehard Steeler fan but even I've reached the point where I am sick and tired of hearing about Ben Roethlisberger.

I could care less at this point whether they keep him or trade him. I just don't want to hear about it anymore.

He won us two Super Bowls, thanks for that, but I always took pride that the Steelers didn't have these dirtbags on their roster. They sold some of that reputation down the river to win those Super Bowls, and something just isn't right about that.

Anonymous said...

Just got word from a friend who works for the NFL the penalty has already been handed down. The Steelers are not allowed to sign or draft any offensive lineman. Ben's punishment is that he'll be forced to play behind them all year again.

On a serious note, I received a Holmes jersey for Christmas. Luckily I could wear it for 1 game before I had to retire it.

Unknown said...

I'm throwing out my #7 jerseys. I will hold on to my Terrible Towel until the day BR is no longer a Steeler. It can be used to wipe the taint off the Steelers image once he is gone. Until then, you can't polish a turd!

The Abiding Dude said...

It's "I could NOT care less"...

/petpeeve

Steve said...

Dominic - I don't think the Steelers had any idea that Ben was a problem before drafting him and winning SB's with him, so saying they basically traded morals and reputation for wins misses the mark in Ben's case. Santonio is another story however, because he was a problem even before playing his first game as a Steeler, so there is some truth to that. The Steelers could have passed on him but took a chance anyway.

The problem is, putting together a team of highly moral do-gooders nowadays is probably impossible unless you want to finish last every year and pass on sure draft picks because of questionable backgrounds. Every team is going to be dealing with this crap in some way anymore, especially with the internet and the era of instant infromation being able to turn a fart into a felony, as your typical professional athelete is no longer concerned with his rap sheet as much as his stat sheet and the $$.

I'm not saying Ben doesn't deserve the reaction and fallout his stupidity has earned him, but I can only imagine the headlines and blog traffic created if some of the less moral athletes of the past century had lived in today's spotlight, let alone had been able to Twitter.

By the way, I'd be curious to see if Sweed jersey's are truly outselling Roethlisberger's.

getfreshdesigns said...

@Dominic Errico so I guess you should never cheer any Jeff Reed FGs or extra point then.

When Ben gets convicted of something in a criminal court then fine. I'll go along with all you haters. Until then, I'm on his side.

Remember Holmes got caught by police with blunts in his vehicle, that is illegal. He failed one drug test by the NFL, which you never know about until they get a 4 game suspension, so he has failed two drug tests. I don't agree with sending him packing, but it is what it is.

Ben has not been convicted of anything, but yet everyone thinks he has.

yeah, maybe he is a dirt ball. Guess what, most athletes are. I guess Steve McNair was killed by a random act of violence. Oh wait he wasn't, he was killed by his psycho girlfriend while cheating on his wife.

the nigerian nightmare said...

How the hell was the CEC story 'obnoxioius'? Everything he said was true. And it's not like he wiped his ass with the Terrible Towel or something, all he alluded to was the fact that the Penguins organization caters to their fans more than the Steelers do.

NickDawg said...

a word for anyone who says they arent going to pull for the steelers bc of Ben and wont until he is gone...we will not want you back once that occurs. Its the colors and logo that are cheered for not the individuals unless you are 5 yrs old

BURGH08 said...

* I never really understood why people (not just in Pittsburgh) wear jerseys. Especially grown men. Not saying it's right or wrong, just always seemed weird to me.

* "holding terrible towels"? Just silly. I read on another blog about a 'movement' to put their license plate holder upside down. Really? I mean...REALLY?

* I notice Don has also moved a bit away from the Mark Madden position with Roethlisberger, not long after his 93.7 appointment. Coincidence? Probably, but I find it interesting.

SantoGold said...

After hearing the details from the DA, Madden's "All you bitches take my shots" t-shirt doesn't seem quite as funny this week.

SantoGold said...

After hearing the details from the DA, Madden's "All you bitches take my shots" t-shirt doesn't seem quite as funny this week.

Koz said...

"obnoxious Consol Energy Center article"

are you f'ing kidding me? how was it "obnoxious"?

Dom Errico said...

Ben himself may not have been a problem, but Santonio was known to be a bit of a problem child. You resigned Jeff Reed after all his issues, and even James Harrison got an extension after his domestic abuse issues.

Those are more the moves I am referring to. They are all key contributors to this teams success lately, though the same could be said for Hines Ward