Modell's Took a $500K Gamble on Patriots AFC Title Gear ... and Lost

Looks like some executives at Modell’s, Dick’s and the Sports Authority are having their own version of the Tom Brady facepalm on Monday. The sporting goods chain retailers planned to be open late into the night on Sunday in anticipation of fans in New England flocking to their stores to buy AFC Championship gear. As we now know, it didn’t go to planned as the Broncos won and punched their ticket to the Super Bowl.

In turn, the retailers will be sending A LOT of free hats and shirts to an undisclosed third-world country — one of sports’ time-honored traditions.

According to the Boston Herald Modell’s plunked down $500,000 on Patriots AFC Championship gear.

"“We took a tremendous risk, but you know what? People expect us to have the merchandise,” CEO Mitch Modell said. “We printed up everything: hats, shirts, T-shirts, novelties, pennants — you name it — for men, women, kids.”"

Oops.

On the plus side, Patriots-branded AFC East Champions gear should be readily available at retailers throughout the winter and those are assuredly must-have, collectors items, right?