Penn State Merchandise Sales Slump 40% After Child Sex Scandal
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Sales of Penn State T-shirts, caps and other merchandise have plunged by almost 40 percent from previous years since a child-sex scandal led to the firing of football coach Joe Paterno and the university president, according to the company that runs the school’s online store.
“Whether they’re disenchanted with the brand or if they’re angry, people aren’t necessarily motivated to go out and buy a bunch of the team’s merchandise,” Fanatics LLC Vice President of Business Development Brian Swallow said in a telephone interview. He declined to provide financial details.