Retailers in the New York metro area wasted little time slashing prices on Jeremy Lin merchandise after the New York Knicks officially let him slip away to the Houston Rockets on the evening of July 17.
Prices on blue-and-orange No. 17 Jeremy Lin t-shirts and jerseys had been falling all week as rumors surfaced that the 23-year-old Taiwanese sensation would not be returning to the Big Apple for the 2012-13 season, but it wasn't until stores opened on July 18 that discounts reached a truly 'Lin-sane' level.
Lin's meteoric rise in February resulted in New York retailers stocking up on merchandise bearing his name, number and likeness, and not many would have guessed that he wouldn't be a part of the New York Knicks' equation just five months later.
Retailers in New York are now stuck with thousands of Jeremy Lin t-shirts and jerseys that have been rendered all but worthless.
Teenagers, always conscience of the latest trends and fashions, don't want to look outdated by wearing a t-shirt or jersey of a player that isn't on the team anymore. That said, even the heavy discounts on New York Knicks Jeremy Lin gear didn't result in an immediate barrage of customers flocking to local malls to scoop up the discounted gear.
50-70% Discounts At Macy's
Jeremy Lin Knicks "Lin-sanity" t-shirts at Broadway Mall Macy's in Hicksville, NY, originally priced $25, slipped to $14.99 by July 16, and marked down to $12.50 on July 18.
Macy's was offering the extra incentive of an additional 20% off the already 50% off merchandise, to anyone who made their purchases with a new Macy's credit card.
Customers who opened a new Macy's credit card and purchased Jeremy Lin t-shirts ended up receiving a total of 70% off their purchase, as the $25 t-shirts ended up selling for $7.50 apiece after all the discounts.
50% Off At Champs Sports
Lin t-shirts weren't exactly flying off the shelves, but the Macy's promotion seemed to have more customers interested than at neighboring Champs Sports, which is also located at Broadway Mall in Hicksville, NY.
Champs had a nice deal on Lin Knicks adidas "dynasty" t-shirts, as the original $22 price was marked down to 50% off. Store employees on hand said the company would like take a wait-and see-approach before slashing prices on Lin merchandise any more than what had been offered this week.
Lin is headed back to the Houston Rockets after the Knicks decided on July 17 that they wouldn't match the Rockets' three-year, $25 million offer for the restricted free agent.
Goodbye Jeremy, We Hardly Knew Ye
The young point guard, who was undrafted out of Harvard, became an incredible story and international phenomenon when he dropped 38 points on the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 10, a game-winning trey on the Toronto Raptors on Feb. 14 and several other notable efforts in one sizzling month to remember.
Prospects of Lin's return looked shaky when the Knicks completed a sign-and-trade deal with the Portland Trail Blazers to bring in Raymond Felton, along with signing veteran guard Jason Kidd as a free agent.
Eric Holden is a lifelong New York Knicks fan. Follow him on Twitter @ericholden.
