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Super Bowl Merchandise Still Selling At Outlet

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By KEITH MORELLI

kmorelli@tampatrib.com

Published: February 4, 2009

TAMPA - In the face of a lagging economy, the business of the Super Bowl isn't bogged down. The NFL Super Bowl outlet, opened in November next to WestShore Plaza, stood nearly empty Tuesday morning, two days after Pittsburgh beat Arizona, and people still streamed in.

Where once there were two wide rooms full of merchandise, now there is only one, with a depleted selection of T-shirts, jackets, sweatshirts and pennants.

Steve Sodell, owner of Sports Fan Marketing, which contracts with the National Football League to sell its gear in Super Bowl cities, said this season was the third best among the past seven he has sold football wares. Detroit in 2006 was the best. Jacksonville, a year before, was second.

In Tampa, he said, "sales exceeded our expectations."

Most of the merchandise this year went to Steelers fans who attended the game Sunday and stopped by the store Monday to spend whatever cash they had left, he said.

Sodell said there was no need to slash prices yet, as people continued to stream in. On Tuesday morning, Sodell bought the remaining inventory from a competitor and moved it onto his shelves.

T-shirts went for $20 and up, Sweatshirts were priced at about $50 or higher, and jackets were even more expensive.

By the end of this week, Sodell will head to Miami, the site for next season's Super Bowl.

"I have to work on next year's locations," he said.

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760.

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