Most businesses in Rock Hill area well stocked with Panthers gear

Those making a sprint this Super Bowl weekend for Panthers attire should have no problem finding T-shirts, hoodies, hats and more at area stories.

About the only thing you won’t find regionally are adult jerseys. They sold out early and the only ones found in Rock Hill are those with Kelvin Benjamin’s No. 13. Benjamin, the Panthers’ wide receiver, was injured in the preseason.

Some stores such as Hibbett Sports in the Rock Hill Galleria still have some youth jerseys. Hibbett is typical of most regional retailers; it expanded its sales space for Panthers attire as the team won its division and conference titles. The Panthers now are preparing for for Super Bowl 50 on Sunday against the Denver Broncos in Santa Clara, Calif..

Tony and Barrie Porter of Rock Hill were shopping Thursday for their daughter Nellie Blu, who they insist is a tried-and-true Panthers fan even though she is only 5 weeks old, born New Year’s Eve in Wake Forest, N.C.

Nellie Blu might be the hardest Panthers fan to buy for.

The Porters had been several places looking for a bib or a onesie without luck. They found a 2T Panther shirt at Walmart, but decided it was too big. They had hopes of finding something at Absolute Racing at the Galleria. The store has bibs and other team merchandise for babies. Thursday there was nothing with the Panthers’ logo.

The Porters said Blu, pronounced Blue, is named for the Panthers’ success this season. The Porters have been Panthers fans for 15 years and have an assortment of Carolina gear for Sunday’s game.

They decided to name their new baby Blu after they couldn’t agree on a name. Nellie is a family name. When Barrie said Blu because of the Panthers, Tony Porter responded, “I like that.”

The Porters said their daughter is already accustomed to the ways of Panthers fans. They can yell, scream and holler and it doesn’t upset Blu, they said. She already has mastered the “touchdown sleep,” extending her arms over her head while resting, Tony Porter said.

For Broncos fans in the region, Absolute Sports has an assortment of T-shirts, jackets, hoodies and hats with the team logo. Regardless of which team wins Sunday, Absolute Racing plans to be fully stocked with the winning team’s gear on Monday.

Academy Sports + Outdoors and Dicks’ Sporting Goods plan to reopen after the game Sunday to sell championship gear if the Panthers win. Both plan extended, early hours Monday if the Panthers win.

Those shopping for Sunday’s game can get some bargains if they are willing not to have a garment with Super Bowl 50 logo. Garments made for the Panthers winning the NFC championship can be purchased at a 25 percent discount at some places including JC Penney at the Galleria. Academy Sports also has discounted NFC championship gear.

T-shirts with a Super Bowl logo generally start at about $30. Official team windbreakers are about $45, hoodies $70 and jackets $150 and up.

Many of the temporary tent locations around the area sell what are known in the business as “gray area shirts.” They are not counterfeit merchandise, but garments that are not licensed through the NFL and the NFL Players Association. An example of a gray area shirt would be a one with “Conference Champions” in bold letters over a skyline of Charlotte and then the words Carolinas. They do not contain any images that are legally owned by the NFL or the players association.

Gray area shirts typically are priced between $15 and $25, vendors said.

This story was originally published February 5, 2016 at 3:55 PM with the headline "Most businesses in Rock Hill area well stocked with Panthers gear."