Report: Manufacturer never made Andrew Wiggins Cavs’ jerseys
By Phil Watson
According to a report, Fanatics—the nation’s largest online licensed sports retailer—saved itself and its customers some logistical headaches by never producing any replica Cleveland Cavaliers jerseys bearing the name and number of top overall draft pick Andrew Wiggins.
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A spokesman for Fanatics, which services the NBA’s online store as well as selling directly to customers, said the company never made the jerseys that fans were ordering.
Meier Raivich said in a statement that the company had up to a month to deliver the jerseys after Wiggins signed his rookie contract on July 24 (a familiar sounding scenario, no?). But with rumors swirling that the 19-year-old could be part of a trade package to the Minnesota Timberwolves that would bring All-Star Kevin Love to Cleveland, the company opted for caution and did not print any of the jerseys.
When Fanatics and the NBA online store sites discontinued the Wiggins jersey, those who wanted to purchase one could still do so as a custom order.
Raivich said those jerseys were produced and shipped, along with any authentic jerseys that were ordered.
Most people, however, buy the less-expensive replicas. Those who ordered replicas while they were available will get a full refund and won’t have to bother with returning the item.
Standard return policy dictates items being returned have to be in “pristine condition” with any tags still attached. In the case of the Wiggins jerseys, however, customers who received them can return them for a full refund regardless of their condition.
Based on the recent news reports, it was a smart call. And an important safety tip for down the line: If anyone says they have a game-worn Andrew Wiggins Cleveland Cavaliers jersey … it’s probably a fake.