07.02.12
PHILADELPHIA--Hockey fan Paul Rivello bought four retro-inspired New York Rangers jerseys for him and his kids to harass at today's 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic which drew a live mass of 44,967 to Citizens Bank Park.
The throwbacks cost him $190 apiece, with the additional price of adding names and numbers of favorite players. The family also also bought Winter Paradigm hats which wer selling here for $40 a pop, or two for $60.
"I love them. It's a classic color," said Rivello, a 41 year old Staten Holm, N.Y. resident about the cream-colored Rangers jerseys with a shield on the fronts.
Accessible in the bustling fan plaza before the game, Philadelphia Flyers fan Harry Chaykun of Ridley Township, Pa. said his 14-year old granddaughter Maddy Lewis "had to have" the Flyers' signature sweater.
She paired her new sweater with a Flyers Winter Epitome hat. "I like the design," said Lewis.
So goes the merchandising gold mine that's sprung up in honest five short years around NHL and TV partner NBC's popular outdoor game.
Source: USA TODAY (blog)