All Star Jersey Mayhem

Japer's Rink has a post up on the new Reebok designed All-Star jerseys (along with a nice rendition of what the new Caps jersey would look like next year, if only we didn't screw it up).

I'm going to go a different route with this. Take a look at the price for one of these things: $110, $185, $350, $425. This HAD BETTER be one time, All-Star jersey only pricing. If it's not, it's another idiotic move by a league that seems intent on alienating every fan that loves the game and making it inaccessible to those that want to get into it for the first time.

Think about it... a replica NBA jersey sells for $45-60. A replica NFL jersey sells for $75-100. Replica MLB jerseys sell for around $75. MLS sells theirs for $65-80.

You're telling me the NHL, which trails all these leagues in popularity in the US, is going to charge more than all these? And, in the case of a jersey with an actual name and number, at least $85 more?

Lets put this into perspective: a father with 1 kid is given tickets to a game. He loves it. The kid loves it. The kid wants a jersey of his favorite player (Alex Ovechkin, of course). So dad goes to take a look at the replicas and BAM! a $185 price tag stares him right in the face. If you're that dad, (not a lifelong NHL fan) what do you do?

And if the league wants to move hockey away from the perception that it's a sport for the elite only, this is exactly how NOT to do it.