After months of waiting, SJTeamShop.com is now open for business. As we first reported in January, the Pro Shop at Solar4America Ice in San Jose was in process of launching a new website for Sharks fans to order gear direct. This is great news for out-of-market Sharks fans whose only way to get Sharks merch was to deal with the unreliable Fanatics-run site, shop.nhl.com.
The Team Shop has been in testing since March, but the site currently reads “We are now open for business”. The site even includes a breakdown of the letter stitching options available for custom jersey orders.
Growing Pains
While poking around on the site, I did come across a few items of note. First, the stock for a wide variety of items appears to be quite limited. However, it’s safe to say that inventory is likely changing often as new items arrive.
Also, white authentic Adidas jerseys still look to be a rare find as the site has none currently in stock. There also looks to be a couple of duplicate entries with contradictive stock information, as the hoodie picture shows.
End of Equipment Sale Events?
Could this new website mean a potential end of equipment sales? For the uninitiated, the Sharks generally hold an equipment sale following every season. Fans are able to pick up all sorts of items such as team-issued jerseys, sticks, pads, shirts, locker name plates, and a host of other items used throughout a typical season.
These annual events usually draw large crowds and even larger lines. In a post-Covid-19 era, could we see the Sharks move their equipment sales to online-only? And if the equipment sale is moved to an online-only format, it will be interesting to see how access is handled. Generally, there is a pecking order where corporate sponsors get the first opportunity for purchases. They are then followed by season-ticket holders and, eventually, the general public. As of now, I imagine anything is likely a possible option, but it’s great to see Sharks fans now have another option for San Jose Sharks gear.
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Michael
June 10, 2020 at 5:05 pm
I think ending the equipment sale is stupid. Buying a jersey online is difficult, but a GW JERSEY is worse. How do you request one? Extra wear, please? As a first responder, going to the sale is a mental relief for me.
AJ Strong
June 10, 2020 at 8:03 pm
I understand your take, but how would you propose to hold a post-covid equipment sale? The lines for previous sales were already quite long. If you include social distancing, it could increase times 4x. I think if they provide fantastic photos for each item, online could be a solid option. And it provide more people a chance to own a collectible that they couldn’t before because they aren’t local.
Travis L Cheney
June 11, 2020 at 9:43 pm
As someone who Roots for multiple NHL teams including the sharks this is a good idea if you could please how about trying to give the NHL store a run for their money
Luke Vacca
June 17, 2020 at 9:52 am
On the team shop, what is the main difference between the authentic and the replica jerseys? Which one would I be better off buying?
AJ Strong
June 17, 2020 at 12:26 pm
Authentic jerseys are made by Adidas and replicas are made by Fanatics. The nameplate and numbers on Adidas jerseys are stitched on while Fanatics heat-presses their nameplates and numbers. Unfortunately, heat-pressed plates and numbers can wear and begin to peel off. Basically, Adidas quality is consistent while Fanatics are known for putting out substandard product. Aside from that, it’s all about personal preference. If you find that a Fanatics jersey is more comfortable than an Adidas, go with a replica. Also consider if you plan to wear the jersey to games where you may spill food and beverages on the jersey.