The Ripples Felt

If you're a hockey jersey collector, you know that gamework jerseys simply feel different than the replica jerseys sold for less money. On-ice jerseys have the fight strap and the reinforced stitching that allows them to stand up to the abuse the jersey could take while worn on the ice, so they feel much heavier than a similar replica jersey. I'm not here to tell you one is better than the other - that's a personal choice based on what one likes and, in most cases, what one can afford - but I am here to tell you that the outrageous prices being charged for these on-ice jerseys is likely going to increase yet again thanks to the American political situation. It seems hockey cannot escape politics.

As you'll see in the video below, all on-ice NHL jerseys are fabricated in Ste-Hyacinthe, Quebec at the SP Apparel factory there. This has been the case since 1975 as the wool comes from the US before the employees in Ste-Hyacinthe turn that into fabric. There are pieces that come from other places - logos come from China, for example - but the factory in Quebec puts together the 100-or-so pieces of the jersey, applies the logo, and adheres the NHL logo to the jersey before shipping. In short, it's made in Canada.

CBC's Douglas Gelevan went to SP Apparel in Ste-Hyacinthe, Quebec to speak with staff there about the potential upcoming tariffs that could be imposed this week by the US government. If costs are forced to go up, there's a chance that the US-based Fanatics company, who holds the licensing for all NHL jerseys, could look at moving the operation elsewhere to avoid the additional costs that could be incurred. Clearly, these tariffs could have a significant impact on NHL business on both sides of the border.

Here is Mr. Gelevan's story from CBC News tonight. Have a watch.
I'll be the first to admit that Fanatics' prices for authentic NHL jerseys is nearly criminal considering that the secondary market rarely sees jerseys rise above $300 on average. That point aside, if Fanatics is forced to look at other manufacturers within the lower 48 states, there's no guarantee that the quality, the workmanship, and the price will remain the same. After all, SP Apparel does the vast majority of the work in their factory without outsourcing to anyone else.

As Mr. Gelevan stated, the NHL has no say in where the jerseys are produced, so they'd be no help if Fanatics were to pull the production rights from SP Apparel. At the end of the day, moving the production to a US-based manufacturer likely would save Fanatics some money if tariffs are applied, but Dr. Moshe Lander, Concordia University Economics Professor, is correct: is the NHL willing to alienate Canadian fans if they allow Fanatics to move the production of jerseys south of the border? Methinks there would be conversations.

Of course, all of this may never occur if the American government simply came to its senses. I'm not here to discuss that topic, though. That's another ball of wax entirely, and I know how much people want to keep politics out of sports based on what we see on social media and comments on webpages and in forums. Just remember this example if you own hockey jerseys and want to scream about politics in sports because the sport has nothing to do with these politics.

I spend more time on this blog explaining that the NHL is a business, but rarely do I discuss how many people that business employs on both sides of the border. By having the politics of one country affect that business, the ripples are certainly felt on the other side of the border as well. My hope is that the people at SP Apparel aren't affected by Fanatics' coming decisions with respect to the tariff announcements, but I'd be naive to think they won't be.

Keep politics out of hockey, you say? For once, I agree with that sentiment when I think of the good people in Ste-Hyacinthe, Quebec. They did nothing to potentially be victims of a vengeful government, yet they may pay the ultimate price with their jobs which affects their livelihoods which affects their families. None of that is the goal of a trade war, but those are the ripples that will be felt.

If I can make a plea to anyone, I'd ask Fanatics to resist the urge to move the production of on-ice NHL jerseys to a US manufacturer in the event that tariffs are imposed. The NHL should be looking at finding ways to gain an exemption from these new tariffs if they are imposed, and my hope if that these two corporations can find a way to keep everything in place as it is today. It's better for all three corportations - SP Apparel as well - if everything remains as it is.

I often say on this blog that sports are a microcosm of society. Politics are definitely a part of society, and now we're seeing it bleed into the hockey world in a big way. Those are the ripples that will be felt if the US government imposes its will on society this week.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!