The recent agreement between the NHL and NHLPA on player-
name royalties may mean "a door is closing for the many team and
licensed shops that specialized in personalized jerseys,"
according to SPORTING GOODS BUSINESS. Dealers must now choose
from three or four players per team offered by Starter and CCM,
or commit to a dozen per player for a special order. New
licensee Nike is yet to announce a policy in this area. The NHL
has stated it will "crack down" on stores doing their own
royalty-free lettering, although the league is working on a
system to give dealers access to small orders for lesser-known
players. NHL VP of Global Licensing Fred Scalera: "This is the
first chapter in a book not yet written. We're not looking to
dissuade someone from doing business, but the name of the player
is something the players have rights to. Just as we are
adjusting, the retailer will have to adjust." Scalera noted the
NHL may set up regional distribution centers to handle customized
orders, or they may use a "middle man" to handle some stitching
(Andy Bernstein, SGB, 3/96 issue).
