Sports Merchandising Trends at 'Black Friday': The Horrow Sports Holiday Hot 10
The bracelets, which sell for $9.99 each (necklaces retail for $11.99), are “fashioned to look like they’ve been cut from game balls or hockey pucks and include team logos and player names,” according to Sports Business Journal. They’ll even do customized pieces, perfect for youth sports or the most involved fan. Check them out at www.wearthegame.com.
7. Eye of the ‘Tater: Promotional Partners Worldwide “Sports Spuds”
Former Atlanta Hawk Anthony Jerome “Spud” Webb is the shortest player, and only tuber, in NBA history. But Los Angeles-based Promotional Partners Worldwide has been pushing NBA spuds since 1995, when sports-themed Mr. Potato Heads took center court as a Detroit Pistons attendance premium.
The popular potato, wearing LA Lakers, Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, and Boston Celtic NBA uniforms, and New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, LA Dodgers, and Chicago Cubs gear for MLB, is available only through such specialty retailers as the NBA Store in New York, Fanzz collectibles, team/arena stores, and Calendar Club kiosks in malls throughout the U.S. MSRP is $12.99.
8. Calls Dropped in Water: Verizon G’zOne Submersible Cell Phone
ESPN’s $499 Mobile ESPN cellular phone package may have sunk, but there’s no way the Verizon G’zOne can do so.
Aimed at extreme sports enthusiasts – or any fan who can’t wait until he’s out of the shower to check scores – the $299 G’zOne can stay under water for half an hour, looks like an armored submarine, weighs five ounces, has a stopwatch, and a loop for attaching a lanyard or other outdoor gear. Available now on www.verizon.com.
9. Bears Necessity: Mike Ditka Wines
First, there was Greg Norman. Peggy Fleming skated in. Driver Richard Childress hit the dirt, and Joe Montana dipped his throwing arm in the vat. Now, it’s vintage Ditka, among the Sportspeople Who Would Be Vintners.
The former Chicago coach and Windy City restaurateur has partnered with Mendocino Wine Company to produce five Ditka-labeled wines, shipped to retailers in early November. The signature Mike Ditka Kick Ass Red, a “big and brawny” zinfandel-syrah-petite sirah blend, sells for $49.99, while a chardonnay, cabernet, pinot grigio (Da Coach’s house white) and merlot (Da house red) all retail for less than $20.
Ditka claims to be personally involved in selecting each wine that carries his name. “There’s no wine ever made,” he told the Chicago Sun-Times, “that I didn’t try.”
Besides wine shops and Chicagoland Costco stores, Ditka wines can be purchased at www.mendocinowineco.com.
10. The Luxury Suite: Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman-Marcus Sports Experiences
Prepare to be “wowed” – which is exactly what Saks Fifth Avenue calls its seven over-the-top luxury auction offerings, up from four last year. Among them: a day at the Super Bowl accompanied by a to-be-named NFL player (starting bid: $100,000).
Not to be outdone, Neiman-Marcus, in its annual Christmas Book, touts its “Sports Celebrity Dream Package.” Well-to-do sports fans can bid on a six-pack of pro sports events to benefit the Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation (dedicated to breaking the cycle of domestic violence).
Attend the NHL All-Star Game with Wayne Gretzky; Super Bowl XLI with Troy Aikman; the NBA All-Star Game with Magic Johnson; the MLB All-Star Game with Joe Torre. Get Chris Evert to analyze the U.S. Open Women’s Final for you, in person. And learn to play that challenging hole at your favorite Arnold Palmer-designed golf course from Arnie himself.
Bids start at $250,000.
And a final, very special holiday bonus:
11. The White Elephant Gift of the Sports Century (Since the Simpson book was axed)
Ron Artest, “My World.” A fright of an album that was rightfully released on Halloween, Artest’s debut recording sold only 343 copies its first week out. “I’ve heard better rappers in my local bars,” sniffs a reviewer on amazon.com.
Available soon in $1.00 CD bargain bins near you.
