NHL: Winter Classic merch sales way up

NEW YORK, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- Merchandising sales for the NHL Winter Classic outdoor game played New Year's Day were up 78 percent from last year, the league announced Wednesday.

In addition to a previously reported 22 percent gain in television viewership on NBC, this year's event at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh was also a hit with memorabilia-buying fans -- who, among other things, bought out the entire inventory of 38,000 NHL Winter Classic jerseys, the NHL said.

Figures indicated total game apparel sales were up 41 percent, with children's apparel up 107 percent and youth jerseys up 150 percent.

All network television advertising slots were sold out well ahead of the broadcast and all sponsorship opportunities were sold out as well, NHL Chief Operating Officer John Collins said.

"The NHL Winter Classic has quickly earned its place as a New Year's Day tradition and one of the most anticipated major national sports events of the year," he said.