Can jersey sales foreshadow cutting ties?

by James Dator on Oct 18, 2011 6:58 PM EDT

I'm not one for conspiracy theories, tinfoil hats or 'friend-of-a-friend' information, but I noticed a curious trend inside the Carolina Panthers organization that when players are about to be traded or cut we see their jersey go on drastic markdown.

I first noticed this in 2009 when I visited the team store and saw a Jake Delhomme jersey for 80% off. I first wrote if off as possible retirement, but less than two months later Delhomme was cut.

During the Jets' preseason game in 2010 I went to the team store before the game. There was a rack of Dwayne Jarrett jerseys on sale for $19.99. A friend of mine (casual fan at best) was going to buy a jersey but I dissuaded him, joking that "He'll be gone in three months", I was almost right... he made it 5 weeks.

Two days before John Kasay was cut his jersey was slashed, same with Brad Hoover... there's a pattern here that goes beyond drastic markdown and falls into the realm of legitimate forshadowing. If your jersey is on sale, then your time could be up soon. We'll look at the current jersey sales...

After the jump

Thomas Davis
Just left the Panthers team store and saw my jerseys sitting on the rack with jake Delhomme jerseys for $5.99. Wow SMH.

It seems I'm not the only one who notices this kind of thing. This was from Thomas Davis via Twitter just three days ago. Personally, I'd buy a TD jersey right now for $5.99, return pending or not because I love the guy.

What about Jimmy Clausen? The #2 can be had for just under the power of five at $29.99 also. This is the same price as a Matt Moore throwback jersey! I call it a throwback because it reminds us of a time he resembled a quarterback.

Is this pure coincidence, or not so subtle foreshadowing? What do you think Panther faithful?

Poll

Do you think jersey sales can tip the team's hand on who could be cut/traded?

Absolutely

324 votes

No way... you're crazy

35 votes

puff of smoke (leaves to get Thomas Davis jersey)

227 votes

586 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 50 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

I think it's more speculation on the part of retailers than anything.

by chatoka on Oct 18, 2011 7:01 PM EDT reply actions

Retailer, singular

This is the team store operated by the Panthers… little speculation to do when you’re the one holding all the cards.

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by James Dator on Oct 18, 2011 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

And I can’t believe they are showing TD jerseys that low already… wow. Gotta see if they have one even remotely in my size.

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by Tater596 on Oct 18, 2011 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I think.

They just want to get some sort of return from all the TD jerseys they printed up, especially since they are switching over to snikes next year.

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by PanthersPaul on Oct 19, 2011 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions

snikes?

I’m probably going to feel like an idiot after posting this, but what the hell are “snikes?”

by HiHoSilver on Oct 19, 2011 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Armanti jersies are on sale too...

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by mangoes52 on Oct 18, 2011 7:16 PM EDT reply actions

#10

by Lost_terrapin on Oct 18, 2011 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Yea, he switched to his college number.

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by ALAC on Oct 18, 2011 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions

http://shop.panthers.com/armantiedwardsjersey-replica-youth-blue-2.aspx

by LovePanthers on Oct 18, 2011 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I might buy a 10

As a budget conscious customer… I think I could get behind a 10 jersey.

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by Tater596 on Oct 18, 2011 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Nice... they even have a 4x

Little big, but that will work!

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by Tater596 on Oct 18, 2011 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I would buy 3 or 4 Davis jerseys right now for 6 bucks each.

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by MrBernz on Oct 18, 2011 7:16 PM EDT reply actions

I'm sure it has more to do with buyer demand then an impending release

much like chatoka said

by JDeLong42 on Oct 18, 2011 7:18 PM EDT reply actions

I voted running to buy the Davis jersey.

But I would imagine, the jerseys that don’t sell are players that aren’t playing well to get a fan to want his jersey. So when his jersey isn’t selling he isn’t doing anything therefore gets cut. So it could be related.

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by MrBernz on Oct 18, 2011 7:22 PM EDT reply actions

JC before TD.. Nooooo

I can’t believe they would cut TD before JC. I guess JC could still be traded or cut in the off season next year, but C’mon… TD was a captian 6 weeks ago… Restructure his deal and bring him back next year! This team can be heartless with fan favorites, but I get it…. It’s a business.

by danism on Oct 18, 2011 7:29 PM EDT reply actions

it's not just a business.

TD has all the heart in the world, but after a 3rd ACL surgery, he shouldn’t risk spending the rest of his long life with a cane for one more shot in the game that he loves and we love him in. the panther fan in me would love to see him suit up a few more seasons, but i would be crushed to see his knee buckle one more time.

still, i want one of those jerseys. keep it stored with my George Lynch UNC and Muggsy Hornet jerseys.

by Lost_terrapin on Oct 18, 2011 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions

...

TD has all the heart in the world, but after a 3rd ACL surgery, he shouldn’t risk spending the rest of his long life with a cane for one more shot in the game that he loves and we love him in. the panther fan in me would love to see him suit up a few more seasons, but i would be crushed to see his knee buckle one more time.

I get how much TD loves what he does, but I do honestly think he should walk away for his long-term health and for his family. It’s sad to see something like that happen to someone so young and so good when he’s healthy. But it just about made me tear up when TD tweeted that his son said he shouldn’t go back. I mean, think about your ability to be in your best shape to play with your son.

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by jamiedk on Oct 19, 2011 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Its all a matter of who's on the field and who's producing

TD hasn’t had a full season on the field in what seems like eons. I would venture to say the top three jerseys would be Newton, Smith and Beason. Time will tell but I think TD is safe in Carolina.

You get what you put in and people get what they deserve.

by Disciple of Carolina on Oct 18, 2011 7:38 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I think this is more a matter of supply and demand

No one wants a Clausen jersey. He isn’t the starter anymore and in all likelihood he never will be again.

by aceofsween on Oct 18, 2011 7:40 PM EDT reply actions

Agree, price is simply a production of supply and demand.

Considering he got off to a great start, thry probably ordered a bunch of TD jerseys, now no one is buying them. When they get down to more reasonable supply, price will adjust. They def WILL be cutting him though, bcuz of his contract structure, but it doesnt mean they wont resign him to a lower gauranteed $$ contract.

by Ryan439 on Oct 18, 2011 8:11 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

He wants to be here, and I think we'd want him back...

But both sides have to understand the risk amd if they’ll agree to a non gauranteed contract…game for game play for pay…then it would be worth the risk for both parties. Dont see anyone else offering much at this point.

by Ryan439 on Oct 18, 2011 8:15 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

where can I get these 6 dollar jerseys?

also tempted to buy that 30 dollar Armanti jersey

by Beny on Oct 18, 2011 7:53 PM EDT reply actions

foreal

i was lookin for them but i cant find a 6 dollar one..

by panthers89 on Oct 18, 2011 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions

http://shop.panthers.com/armantiedwardsjersey-replica-youth-blue-2.aspx

by LovePanthers on Oct 18, 2011 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Just got me the 30 dollar Money jersey

They even had a 4×. Nice and loose even for a big guy like me.

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by Tater596 on Oct 18, 2011 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Im assuming these are at the Team Store in the Stadium

Last week against the Saints, I saw tons of Matt Moore and John Kasay jerseys for under 20$. Im definitely going to check out the TD jersey this week.

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by Son of a Newton on Oct 19, 2011 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions