Team Insight

Patrick Burke, co-owner of Burke's Sport Haven in Eastpointe, MI, is enthusiastic about socks as well. "We sell quite a few socks and business has been good," he comments. "Socks are sold as part of uniforms, largely football and baseball, and some soccer." e bulk of Burke's sock business focuses on stock product — solid colors and tube socks with no heel. "We sell two basic types of socks: thinner sanitary socks, which are preferred by baseball players in warm summer weather, and all-sport socks that are a little thicker. We also sell a few custom socks such as stripes," he says. Unlike some dealers, Dan Carey, owner of Fort Worth, TX-based Carey's Sporting Goods, operates very few online team stores and hasn't noticed any big sock trends impacting his business. "Teams spend money on socks, but it's more of an add-on for us," he says, pointing out that Texas is very different from other parts of the country because it's one of the few states in which public schools [the state] pays for team equipment and uniforms. "States that are doing well with online team stores have kids that have to buy their own uniforms because the states pay very little," he explains. "Socks are a low-end product and are not a big deal for us — the average price per pair is $5, although custom socks are a bit more." Meanwhile, at Basic Sports in Henderson, NV, team salesman Leo Hernandez has seen the sock industry change dramatically over the years. "We've been in business for 17 years and 10 years ago teams bought socks with uniforms," he remarks. "We offer sport-specific socks, but not many custom or sublimated socks right now. Teams are mostly sticking to regular tube socks, which aren't as cheap as they used to be. "e textile industry has changed and there have been price increases on everything," he adds, describing the sock market as flat as they sell direct to individual teams and don't operate online team stores. Styles and Trends Change As far as team sock styles go, Stagg at Pearsox recalls that 15 to 20 years ago no-shows were all the rage, but now kids are wearing crew socks. "Crew socks are a very popular trend with the younger crowd, but the adults are still looking for no-shows," he says, pointing out that for football scrunch socks are in demand — an extra-long sock with extra fabric that doesn't fall down because the fabric isn't being over-stretched. is style started in the pros and in college and is now also a fashion thing — it's picking up steam and they are stocking a lot of team colors. As for sock decoration and customization, less is more in the latest designs, but this trend shis every few years, according to Stagg. Stateline Sports' Proulx has noticed that "teams want sock colors to match their jersey colors — lots of greens, maroons, blacks and blues. "Ultra-light socks from Pearsox are popular, as are Adidas socks for soccer. It all depends on whether teams want branded socks or something that costs less." Hernandez, at Basic Sports, echoes those sentiments: "Socks are as important as pants and jerseys in creating a complete uniform. It's important to get performance product that will help athletes perform better. Feet are important, no matter the sport, which means socks are important." n teaminsightmag.com November/December 2024 ~ Team Insight • 29

• Cover