Gameday Merchandise To Handle Retail Ops For MLS Timbers

Colorado-based Gameday Merchandising has reached an agreement with the expansion MLS Portland Timbers to oversee and manage the club's retail operations at PGE Park. Gameday also will look into other retail opportunities in the Portland area to expand the Timbers' brand (Gameday Merchandising). In Portland, Allen Brettman reports Gameday has signed a "long-term" deal, and it will "acquire merchandise -- scarves, hats, T-shirts, jerseys and the rest -- through manufacturers to sell" for the club and "hire the workers to sell it." Gameday President Alan Fey said that the company's retail plans for outside of PGE Park "could include selling merchandise in malls or from vans at Timbers' events and practices." Current plans call for a retail store to open in downtown Portland "which would sell team merchandise." Timbers COO Mike Golub indicated that the store is scheduled to open "before Dec. 9, when the new Timbers game jersey will be unveiled" (Portland OREGONIAN, 11/16).

ALSO PICKS UP HERITAGE CLASSIC: SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL’s Don Muret reports the NHL has awarded Gameday the “exclusive retail rights for the 2011 NHL Heritage Classic,” which will feature the Canadiens and Flames. Gameday plans to “supplement” the permanent retail store at Calgary's McMahon Stadium with “about seven portable stands plus a tented store outside the building and a site at the Westin Hotel, event headquarters for the NHL.” NHL VP/Retail Sales & Marketing Barry Monaghan “would not disclose the league’s expectations tied to Heritage Classic retail,” but he said that “it is close to the goals the NHL sets for its Winter Classic” (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 11/15 issue).