Editor’s Note: Sports apparel “Guru” Ray Jannelli, the president of PLA, has some thoughts this week on his days as the former manager, buyer and sales trainer at the "Original" Mitchell & Ness.)
By Ray Jannelli
My years as Buyer/Manager at the "Original" Mitchell & Ness Sports we were always known as The Cooperstown Collection Company. At the time, we were one of the first, if not THE first, MLB Cooperstown Collection licensee. But, we often forget that the M&N retail store was a pioneer as well. It was the first store in Philadelphia that carried CCM's NHL Heritage Collection line when it was first released in 1992. The M&N store (Original) was also the first store in the City of Brotherly Love to offer Champion's new NFL "Throwback" line. Interestingly, Champion was the first company that used the word "Throwback", a term thrown around a lot nowadays.
Around that same time, the NFL was getting marketing creative (new phrase for you future MBA's), with their Quarterback Club collective. AJD Caps in Virginia were one of the first licensees to offer Quarterback Club products. At that time, some of the quarterbacks featured were Jim Kelly, John Elway, Don"Magic Man"Majkowski, Boomer Esiason and Philly favorite Randall Cunningham.
Authentic Store Buzz: Barry Rubin, the Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Philadelphia Eagles was recently at the store. The Pro League Authentics Nike Dri-Fit T-Shirt seen in the above picture is the new Eagles weight room t-shirt, supplied by the #1 Authentic Sports Apparel Store in Philly, Pro League Authentics. Get your PLA shirt by contacting the store or visiting us down town.
Pro League Authentics has just come out with a new exclusive line of apparel. The Legends Line- Wilt Chamberlain. A fan of Wilt the Stilt, The Big Dipper, or maybe you just know him as Mr. 100. Wilt Chamberlain was a basketball legend, considered by many to be the most athletic and talented player to ever strut onto the NBA hardwood. The big man, who wore number 13 and was famous for wearing the sweatband on his head, once dropped 100 points in Hershey, PA. PLA has the exclusive line of shirts of the Wilt Chamberlain line. For more information check out the shirts here: http://www.facebook.com/proleagueauthentics?fref=ts
Congratulations to the San Francisco Giants. They swept the Detroit Tigers in 4 consecutive games to win their second World Series in 3 years. It is the 2nd time the organization has won a championship since moving from New York to the city by the bay in 1958. Congratulations to Venezualan native Pablo Sandoval for winning the World Series Most Valuable Player Award. Celebrate the Giants big win by purchasing your favorite MLB team's apparel here at PLA. If you use the code "MLB" when checking out, all MLB jerseys in your cart will be 25% off.
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Authentically Speaking Trivia Time: Jack Buck did CBS radio broadcasts of the World Series in the 1980's with two former Major League players, who were they? Answer to come tomorrow.
Thursday’s answer: 2005 was the last time MNF was aired on ABC. Beginning in 2006, ESPN took over the reigns.
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