Hickory High School merchandise "has been flying off the shelves" since the Pacers announced in July they would be "wearing the Hoosiers movie-themed throwback uniforms for 10 games this season," according to Anthony Schoettle of the INDIANAPOLIS BUSINESS JOURNAL. The Pacers "started selling Hickory items -- including jersey-like T-shirts, caps, glassware and pennants -- at the team gift shop." The team said that the Pacers’ merchandise sales in August were up 55% "over August a year ago, and for the year, have increased" 8% over '14. That increase is "even more impressive considering the Pacers went to the Eastern Conference finals two seasons ago -- in the last fiscal year -- and didn’t make the playoffs last season." Pacers Sports & Entertainment Senior VP and Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Todd Taylor said, "The increase we’ve seen is big and we think it will get bigger when we start playing games." He added that Hickory merchandise "has been sold and shipped to fans in 41 states and seven countries." Taylor: “I thought it was going to be pretty popular, but it’s taken on a life of its own. The power of social media has certainly helped.” Schoettle noted the Hickory-Pacers "sales bonanza may just be starting." Not only does Taylor think merchandise sales "will pick up more steam once the team plays its first game in the Hickory uniforms -- a nationally televised game on ESPN Nov. 6" against the Heat -- he also "expects the six home games when Pacers players don Hickory High gear to be sellouts" (IBJ.com, 10/21).
