Sabres Slug Sales Skyrocket. Seriously.
At a minimum, this ought to get me linked on Buffalo Sabres blogs.
So it turns out that after all the complaining about the Sabres new logo, which was widely compared to a slug and Donald Trump's hair and which spawned a Web site and more than 30,000 signatures, people are actually buying it. Someone from the NHL, who knows of my love for merchandise sales figures, just e-mailed to tell me that the new Sabres jersey is the No. 1 selling jersey on NHL.com, and that since the new logo debuted in September, Sabres stuff has accounted for 10 percent of all sales on NHL.com.
Also note that, from Sept. 23-Oct. 16, sales of Buffalo Sabres merchandise was up almost 900% compared to the same period a year ago. Which either tells you that lots of people in WNY got high-speed Internet connections within the past year, or that team executives loaded up on Christmas presents in an attempt to boost early sales figures, or that virtually any new logo will move product (a theory that Agent Zero proferred in arguing the Wiz should go back to red, white and blue unis), or that the Sabres Slug isn't really that bad after all. Or maybe a combination thereof. Personally, I love the return to the old colors, and find the slug charmingly ambiguous, but then I never thought Gunston was that bad of a mascot either.
(Apropos of nothing, as long as I'm going to be linked on the Sabres blogs, I might as well point out that former Sabres TV analyst Brian Blessing is now a Project Manager for Las Vegas Sports Consultants, which I've been mercilessly shilling for in recent days. How 'bout that?)
Anyhow, here are your top five selling jerseys on NHL.com since Sept. 23:
1. Buffalo Sabres
2. New York Rangers
3. Detroit Red Wings
4. Philadelphia Flyers
5. Pittsburgh Penguins
By Dan Steinberg |
October 17, 2006; 4:38 PM ET
| Category:
NHL
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Posted by: Goat | October 17, 2006 5:08 PM
The slug is one of the most subpar jerseys in the league right now. They even ruined the retro 3rd jersey by adding the players number on the front area usually reserved for special patches.
PS Dan, how is the fantasy team going? Has my drafting advice brought you disappointment?
Posted by: Boris | October 17, 2006 6:21 PM
I'd bet dollars to donuts that the uptick in Sabres gearisdue to the presence of Jaroslav Spacek. My girlfriend wanted to name our cat after Jaroslav before we--get this--even had a cat.
And my drafting advice probably blew yours out ofthe water, Boris.
Posted by: Matt | October 17, 2006 8:32 PM
Heck-I grew up near Buffalo. It snowed 2 feet there last week. Everyone is locked in their houses with nothing to do and looking for warm clothes. When summer arrives in late June things will change...
Posted by: Scott | October 17, 2006 11:19 PM
It's nice to know that I'm not the only person in the world who likes the new unis.
I do, however, dislike the numbers on the upper left of the throwbacks.
It's nice to see that at least one WaPo writer recognizes thst there sre other teams besides the Capitals.
Dan, come join us at Jimmy's in Reston to watch the Sabres!
Posted by: AU-SID | October 17, 2006 11:20 PM
The slug is wonderful. But I agree with critics who note that a sabre should appear somewhere on the logo. I think the buffalo should be wielding at least one and perhaps two. Who is going to fight an American Bison armed with swords? Not this guy.
Posted by: false_cause | October 18, 2006 1:20 AM
I'll give you the reason why the Buffaslug jerseys are selling-- because Buffalo is one of just two teams who are offering new jersey designs this season. Of COURSE they're going to outsell teams whose jerseys have been available for years. Why would anyone expect anything else, even with this awful new Sabres logo? New sells.
The REAL question is, why aren't Anaheim's new jerseys selling as well? Perhaps it's the garish black, gold, and orange color scheme?
Posted by: Netsrak | October 18, 2006 5:15 AM
I think Buffalo's strong play early this season also accounts for some of the sales.
Posted by: anon | October 18, 2006 12:31 PM
Any news on the rumored return of the red, white and blue jerseys for the Caps?
Posted by: DCDireWolf | October 18, 2006 4:12 PM
Boris, the team you helped me draft is in third place. Pretty solid. Matt, the team you offered me mild help with was in ninth (out of 19), but I missed a few days of lineup changes and dipped to 15th. I've also ignored every proferred trade.
DireWolf (are you related to Goat?), Ted says it's something he'll do down the line, but that there's no timetable for a switch back. I'll ask him about it next time I see him.
Posted by: SportsBog | October 18, 2006 4:25 PM
Being from Buffalo originally, I'd have to add that the biggest selling point for these jerseys from my point of view is the return to the old colors. If we can't have the old symbol, we'll take the old colors. Everyone just wants to get rid of that black and red stuff...even if it means buying a slug (but I still say they don't offer enough stuff with the throwback symbol).
Posted by: darth_kittius | October 19, 2006 12:44 PM
Your post makes an interesting point only if you can tell us whether or not fans are buying jerseys that feature the new logo. The jump in sales is normal for a team with such a hot start and I'd be willing to bet that it's merchandise featuring the old logo that fans are buying. I'd be surprised if it's the slug stuff that's selling.
Posted by: alup | October 28, 2006 11:00 AM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Does this count just the new Buffaslug stuff? I mean, are they separating the figures for the current look from the throwback-esque alternate jersey that the Sabres are wearing this year. My buddy and his friends from Buffalo have essentially planned their fall finances around purchasing as many as they can get.