CSNBAYAREA.com's Andrew Baggarly wrote MLB Giants officials "saved themselves a lot of waste and even more embarrassment, canceling an order for 20,000 Melky Cabrera T-shirts just as their supplier was about to print them." Giants VP/Communications Staci Slaughter said that fans attending the Sept. 8 game against the Dodgers "will receive an Angel Pagan T-shirt instead." The giveaway "will still feature the 'Gigantes' logo on the front but will bear Pagan's name and number on the back" (CSNBAYAREA.com, 8/21).
ADD TO CART: In Newark, Tom Luicci notes Monday's "debut of RutgersShop.com -- the school's official on-line merchandise store -- drew nearly 5,000 visitors to the new site on the first day." RutgersShop.com "offers more than 400 Rutgers-related items." Rutgers AD Tim Pernetti said that blackout T-shirts for the Oct. 6 home football game against UConn are "proving to be one of the most sough-after items" (NEWARK STAR-LEDGER, 8/22).
FREE FALLING: In Philadelphia, Frank Fitzpatrick notes demand for Penn State merchandise "has plummeted in the nine months since" the arrest of Jerry Sandusky. SportsOneSource analyst Matt Powell said, "Since the scandal, and particularly since the Freeh report came out, sales have fallen off dramatically. The last four weeks sales of Penn State merchandise have been down about 50 percent" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 8/22).
SCHOOL SPIRIT SNACKS: USA TODAY's Scott Gleeson noted "five universities have partnered with Kellogg's on limited edition Pop Tarts." The boxes "feature school logos and are being labeled 'printed fun.'" The flavor "coincides with the school's athletic team." The flavors are "as follows: Michigan's Pop Tart flavor is Go Blue Strawberry; Georgia is Bulldog Berry; Arkansas is Razorback Red; Florida is Florida Gators Strawberry; and North Carolina is Tar Heel Blue" (USATODAY.com, 8/21).
