As the New England Patriots gear up for a playoff run, fans are on the hunt for Drake Maye jerseys, but they are proving difficult to find. Stores throughout Massachusetts are experiencing overwhelming demand for the young quarterback”s No. 10 jersey, especially as excitement for the team reaches a fever pitch ahead of Christmas.
“If I had $1 for every person that called here asking me if I had a Drake Maye jersey, I”d be a millionaire 10 times over,” joked Mahlon Williams, owner of I Love Boston Sports. Though his store specializes in Boston sports apparel, it does not stock replica jerseys.
The buzz surrounding the Patriots and Maye”s impressive performance has brought back memories of the franchise”s glory days, according to Williams. “It”s like when Michael Jordan said, “I”m back,”” he said, referencing the team”s resurgence and its impact on holiday shopping.
At Patriot Place, the official Patriots ProShop was bustling with fans eager to purchase playoff gear. “Holiday season bringing wins, it”s great,” said shopper Lia DeMarco, who was there with her sister Melina. They expressed that the return to the playoffs is particularly special for fans. “I know we”re spoiled, but it feels really good to say that we”re back,” Lia noted. “Playoff droughts don”t last long around here, so definitely good that we”re back in the playoffs,” added Melina.
Despite the surge in enthusiasm, the availability of Maye”s jersey remains limited. During a recent visit, the ProShop had only a few youth sizes in stock. Even with a customization station available, the demand has outstripped supply, leaving fans scrambling for the coveted No. 10 jersey.
“Franchises go years and decades trying to find their franchise quarterback, and for us to get Drake Maye in here, it”s insane,” remarked Zach Reed, who visited the Patriots Hall of Fame with his son. Longtime fans are willing to endure the delays in merchandise if it means that winning football has returned to Foxboro. “This year has just been absolutely incredible,” Reed said. “Back to our old winning ways.”
The ProShop is currently awaiting a new shipment of Maye jerseys, but it may not arrive until after the new year, leaving many fans disappointed as they search for the perfect holiday gift.
