# The price of jerseys or: Sports its importance across societies, and in our culture **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 30, 2010, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-price-of-jerseys-or-sports-its-importance-across-societies-and-in-our-culture/541310 "2010-05-30T19:29:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2010, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-price-of-jerseys-or-sports-its-importance-across-societies-and-in-our-culture/541310/21 "2010-05-31T13:11:55Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > Put it another way: if, in another country, the team jersey was $300, would everybody be wearing one? In America, it’s as though the fan has no choice. Very few fans own authentic replica jerseys. T-shirts with team logos are much more common. And as someone else said, after a player signs with another team, their authentic jersey drops in price real fast. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2010, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-price-of-jerseys-or-sports-its-importance-across-societies-and-in-our-culture/541310/22 "2010-05-31T13:16:47Z")
NHL authentic jerseys even come with fight straps, those keep the jersey on in case of a fight. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2010, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-price-of-jerseys-or-sports-its-importance-across-societies-and-in-our-culture/541310/23 "2010-05-31T13:38:55Z")
> [@Dignan](#): > > (Is there a “throwback” market there, like the one that has developed here?) Do you mean like a reproduction ‘retro’ style shirt? In which case, yes, many teams now sell authentic reproduction shirts from past glory days. The most popular - by a country mile - in the UK, is the [1966 shirt](http://www.jdsports.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&cm_mmc=froogle-_-product_feed-_-affiliate-_-froogleprod&productId=383158) that [England wore](http://www.wembleystadium.com/pressbox/pressReleases/Wembley+Stadium+commissions+Bobby+Moore+statue.htm) when they one the world cup - I notice the offical replice has now sold out from the [FA.com](http://FA.com) website. (England wore their away kit for that match, the home kit is always [white](http://englandstore.thefa.com/stores/fa/products/kit_selector.aspx?selector=91)). This shirt inspired such patriotic feeling that the latest [official away shirt for the 2010 World Cup](http://englandstore.thefa.com/stores/fa/products/kit_selector.aspx?selector=165) is a virtual copy, albeit using modern materials. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2010, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-price-of-jerseys-or-sports-its-importance-across-societies-and-in-our-culture/541310/24 "2010-05-31T17:06:04Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Very few fans own authentic replica jerseys. T-shirts with team logos are much more common. Agreed. I’m a huge (baseball) Giants fan and I’ve owned quite a bit of Giants paraphernalia over the years, but I’ve never owned a replica jersey. They just cost too much. My mom used to work for the Giants and I got free tickets and discounts on…everything…and they _still_ cost too much. I think most people agree; it’s not uncommon to see people wearing replica jerseys at the ballpark, but they’re still in a pretty small minority. Most people just wear a team t-shirt and a cap or something. An authentic replica cap is within most people’s budget. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2010, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-price-of-jerseys-or-sports-its-importance-across-societies-and-in-our-culture/541310/25 "2010-05-31T17:14:27Z")
Price is why I [buy from China](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=530482). ---
**Author:** ![ColonelDax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@ColonelDax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ColonelDax)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-price-of-jerseys-or-sports-its-importance-across-societies-and-in-our-culture/541310/26 "2010-06-01T14:05:07Z")
> [@Dignan](#): > > Umbro makes England’s jersey. Nike makes it for the United States. Nike owns Umbro. The companies announced an agreed [bid](http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=200710230702331714G) in October 2007, and the takeover was completed in March 2008. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2010, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-price-of-jerseys-or-sports-its-importance-across-societies-and-in-our-culture/541310/27 "2010-06-03T14:33:36Z")
NFL jerseys are _hideously_ expensive, unless you want one for a player who isn’t with the team anymore or has been there forever. ---
**Author:** ![Clark\_Cello](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@Clark\_Cello](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clark_Cello)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2010, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-price-of-jerseys-or-sports-its-importance-across-societies-and-in-our-culture/541310/28 "2010-06-03T14:55:44Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > Put it another way: if, in another country, the team jersey was $300, would everybody be wearing one? In America, it’s as though the fan has no choice. No choice? Have you ever been to a major league sporting event? At a typical baseball game, how many people do you think are wearing an “authentic” team jersey? I would estimate that it is usually less than 1% of the fans. It is certainly far less than 10%. The idea that sports fans in other countries are less fanatical than those in the US is frankly laughable. If authentic team jerseys went for $300 in the UK, you would have a similar number of people who buy them as in the US. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2010, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-price-of-jerseys-or-sports-its-importance-across-societies-and-in-our-culture/541310/29 "2010-06-03T15:55:08Z")
> [@Rysto](#): > > Wait, Yankees jerseys go for $150 US? Here in Canada, replica NHL jerseys sell for $320 CAD – and that’s without a number or name on the back. The most expensive item of clothing I have ever purchased was my wedding dress. The second most expensive was an NHL jersey. And that was at a discount, too. At least I get to wear it more than once! ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2010, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-price-of-jerseys-or-sports-its-importance-across-societies-and-in-our-culture/541310/30 "2010-06-03T16:02:45Z")
Price schmice. As I’ve said previously, [this site](http://www.sell-sport.com/) sold me the best-quality jersey I’ve ever seen for $45.99. Hell, [this place](http://nfljerseyshoppe.com/) looks like they go by the same exact standards, and they sell all their jerseys for $18.99. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2010, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-price-of-jerseys-or-sports-its-importance-across-societies-and-in-our-culture/541310/31 "2010-06-03T16:30:52Z")
**Hal** , I’m trying that site for my new jersey if Cadillac gets cut. Or maybe even if he doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2010, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-price-of-jerseys-or-sports-its-importance-across-societies-and-in-our-culture/541310/32 "2010-06-03T17:19:04Z")
> [@Hal\_Briston](#): > > As I’ve said previously, [this site](http://www.sell-sport.com/) sold me the best-quality jersey I’ve ever seen for $45.99. Hmmm…I just realized that line can be taken more than one way – allow me to clarify: For $45.99, I got the best-quality jersey I’ve ever seen. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2010, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-price-of-jerseys-or-sports-its-importance-across-societies-and-in-our-culture/541310/33 "2010-06-03T18:41:31Z")
> [@](#): > > What if I’m a Mozart fan? Should I wear a powdered wig? I always wear my Mozart wig to concerts. Unless of course I get seated in the Beethoven seats - wear a Mozart wig in that section and you’re going to start a brawl. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2010, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-price-of-jerseys-or-sports-its-importance-across-societies-and-in-our-culture/541310/34 "2010-06-04T03:00:21Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > NFL jerseys are _hideously_ expensive, unless you want one for a player who isn’t with the team anymore or has been there forever. [$80](http://www.nflshop.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2115204&cp=2237514&view=all&page_bucket=0&PAGES_PER_BUCKET=10&num_buckets=2&pageType=family&pageType=family&pageNum=1&pageDisplay=superfamily&totalProductsCount=118&hasPagination=false&int_prevBucket=-1&PRODUCTS_PER_PAGE=9&showSizeSearch=false&int_nextBucket=0&pageCount=14&parentPage=family) is “hideously expensive?” And as for those who aren’t with the team anymore, why would you want one? Unless you’re talking about former, retired members. And [THOSE](http://www.nflshop.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2211039&cp=2237514&view=all&page_bucket=0&PAGES_PER_BUCKET=10&num_buckets=2&pageType=family&pageType=family&pageNum=1&pageDisplay=superfamily&totalProductsCount=118&hasPagination=false&int_prevBucket=-1&PRODUCTS_PER_PAGE=9&showSizeSearch=false&int_nextBucket=0&pageCount=14&parentPage=family) are the expensive ones! (I want to get a Polamalu jersey, as Willie Parker’s no longer with the team) Now, NHL jerseys cost a wee bit more, but I still want [one](http://shop.nhl.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2651451&cp=3169596&clickid=body_bestsell_txt). But again, the retired players are the [more expensive](http://shop.nhl.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2709070&cp=3169596&clickid=body_bestsell_txt). ---
**Author:** ![Cyberhwk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Cyberhwk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyberhwk)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2010, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-price-of-jerseys-or-sports-its-importance-across-societies-and-in-our-culture/541310/35 "2010-06-04T09:17:10Z")
I got my Walter Jones Authentic for $185. Family worked for the team and got a merchandise discount. Wouldn’t have spent the money on anything less than an absolute franchise player though. I knew his tank was starting to run dry but figured the ole #71 would always be appropriate in Seattle. > [@Clark\_Cello](#): > > No choice? Have you ever been to a major league sporting event? At a typical baseball game, how many people do you think are wearing an “authentic” team jersey? I would estimate that it is usually less than 1% of the fans. It is certainly far less than 10%. Baseball maybe, but I’ve been to a couple Seahawk games and there are plenty of authentic jerseys at the pre-game. Granted, you’ve got all the die hard fans contained in one place, but they’re not unusual. ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2010, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-price-of-jerseys-or-sports-its-importance-across-societies-and-in-our-culture/541310/36 "2010-06-04T15:18:23Z")
Of course, you’re not a REAL fan of your team unless you buy their home jersey, road jersey, alternate home jersey, alternate road jersey, and throwback jersey. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2010, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-price-of-jerseys-or-sports-its-importance-across-societies-and-in-our-culture/541310/37 "2010-06-04T17:10:53Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > What if I’m a Mozart fan? Should I wear a powdered wig? That would be pretty awesome. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-price-of-jerseys-or-sports-its-importance-across-societies-and-in-our-culture/541310.md?page=1)