Jersey Sales For Philly Sports Teams Nosedive Amid Poor Performance
RUNNEMEDE, N.J. -- The clearance rack at Fan Treasures Sports Depot in Runnemede is a reminder of Chip Kelly's roster turnover that's taken a 10-6 Eagles team to 4-6.
Names like Foles, McCoy and Jackson adorn the backs of bargain gear.
As fans' enjoyment and confidence in the Birds plummet, so do jersey sales.
At several Fan Treasures stores, including the Pro Image Sports at the Deptford Mall, jersey sales in November are down 25% compared to last year.
"There was a lot of hype around these guys to start out the year, but everyone just seems to be under-performing or getting injured so there's really no trust that the fan base has in the players anymore," says Corey Scull, an assistant manager at Fan Treasures.
The sparkle has faded - not just for the Eagles, but the Sixers are winless and the Flyers have one of the worst records in the NHL.
Going into the holiday shopping season, fan loyalty is about the only place sports shops can hang their hat.
"Chip can go back to Oregon. Matter of fact they take him back, I'll drive him back," says customer Gregory Martin at the Sports Depot.
With so much player turnover year-to-year and few future stars on the Eagles roster, sports shops may change their inventory.
"We got steer away from buying player stuff in all honesty because who knows who's going to be around," says Scull.