Final Four Fan Merchandise Sales Proves No One Cares About South Carolina
By Tim Ryan
With the Final Four roughly 24 hours away, one that happens to include two infrequent participants, it’s time to take a look at how many people truly give an ounce of crap about a couple unlikely heroes entering the fray.
One relatively easy way of doing that very thing is taking a look at Final Four merchandise sales across the country.
Sure, while I would very much love to see Oregon and South Carolina ruin it for the remaining No. 1 seeds — especially UNC — does that mean I went out and bought a Gamecocks onesie or a glow in the dark Oregon hat to go with some matching feet pajamas?
According to Fanatics, the global leader for licensed sports merchandise, the answer to that question — particularly when it comes to South Carolina — is an emphatic NO.
The damning proof is right below on the idiot-proof, color-coded map.
No, it’s not quite like CNN’s John King and his trusty interactive map — then again, nothing is — but it certainly tells the story.
That’s right, a total of five states are officially riding the Gamecocks bandwagon.
And it’s one hell of a colorful group in Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Rhode Island and, of course, South Carolina!
That measly little Rhode Island dot is such a sad representation of support that if I were a South Carolina fan I would probably feel more comfortable without it. It’s more depressing than it is inspiring.
As for the others, Oregon nearly cracked double digits with nine, but how in the hairy hell did they manage to snatch away Maine? What a heist.
Gonzaga came away with a pretty respectable 11, and UNC kicked everyone’s ass by just dominating the map with 25.
The strangest piece of data from Fanatics might be that sales of Tar Heels merchandise is up a whopping 60% to-date following this year’s berth when compared to the same period during last year’s run that saw them have their hearts kicked out of their mouths by Villanova in the title game.
The most logical conclusion for the enormous spike in sales?
UNC fans really, reeeeally want to see their beloved Tar Heels win it this year rather than almost win it.
Facts are facts and that might be a fact.
*****
For more candid takes with extra sizzle and showmanship, follow Tim Ryan on Twitter and Instagram.