Collectible card stores and sports memorabilia dealers are cashing in on the Chicago Bears’ success on the field this year.
At Elite Sports Cards and Comics, the inventory of available Bears player cards, autographs, jerseys and other products has decreased by 50% over the last few weeks. The retailer has two locations, and its Dunning store, at 3406 N. Harlem Ave., is nearly sold out of Bears-related merchandise, prompting a restock.
“I’m not increasing any prices, but sales have definitely jumped within the last three weeks,” said Ronnie Holloway, owner of Elite Sports Cards and Comics. “It’s been even crazier the last couple of days since they won against the Packers.”
The company, whose other store is at 2028 W. Montrose Ave., has sold more than a dozen autographed Bears jerseys in the last few weeks, including a Caleb Williams version for $350.
At Bleachers Sports, Music and Framing in Wilmette, authenticated autographed Bears player jerseys that are professionally framed with UV-protective glass are going for about $1,500 each, up $500 from about a year ago.
In the last year, the retailer has sold more than 150 Williams jerseys, which speaks to the quarterback’s rising popularity among collectors and fans.
“They’re getting scooped up, and they’re not doing signings right now,” Bleacher Sports CEO Keith McDonough said.
Product signings typically occur in the offseason, which can affect inventory in-season, especially if a player or team is having a banner year like the Bears, who are headed to the NFL playoffs for the first time since January 2021.
The last Bears playoff win was in 2011 against the Seattle Seahawks.
Some players, including Williams, also have exclusive sponsorship deals with retailer Fanatics, which can limit product distribution and availability at nonaffiliated brick-and-mortar outlets, according to industry experts.
McDonough is on the hunt for jerseys of Kyle Monangai, the seventh-round rookie running back who has rumbled over defenses this year.
“I’m just hedging that he’s going to be really good, and they’re not really expensive right now,” he said.
Predictably, collectible Bears player cards have been the hottest product at Elite Sports Cards since they attract collectors of all types, according to Holloway. Some cards cost as little as $1 but others like limited-edition or rookie cards can easily fetch thousands.
On Tuesday, Holloway had restocked Bears cards at his Montrose Avenue store as inventory dwindled.
“Since Sunday, everyone’s been coming in,” he said.
Elite Sports Cards and Comics owner Ronnie Holloway shows footballs signed by Chicago Bears players from 1986 at his Dunning store.
Nationally, Bears fans are big spenders this holiday season.
Since the team’s improbable comeback victory against the Green Bay Packers in overtime on Saturday night, player jerseys and other Bears merchandise have been the top sellers on Fanatics.com.
Sales have increased 50% from last season, said a spokesperson from the Jacksonville, Florida-based company.
The data is drawn from the Bears’ e-commerce sites, merchandise stands at Soldier Field and the online retail giant’s network of other websites, including Fanatics.com, NFLShop.com and Store.ChicagoBears.com.
Even in the rivalry territory of southern Wisconsin, Bears items like can coolers, vinyl figures and bobbleheads — especially of Williams — made by collectibles company Funko, are flying off the shelves at WSC Sports in Waukesha.
The company operates four stores in Wisconsin and specializes in autographed memorabilia, including full-size and mini helmets, footballs and jerseys.
Its Waukesha outpost, about 100 miles from Chicago, is continually stocked with Bears gear, according to store manager Bryon Krueger.
“With the Bears being so close and a division rival, we keep a solid supply of items in stock,” he said. “We have a wider range of mini helmets, full-size helmets and jerseys that are available for purchase from legends like Brian Urlacher or Richard Dent to new players, like Colston Loveland and DJ Moore.”
Product sales were slow in the beginning of the year and the Bears’ 0-2 record didn’t help. But it’s been a complete turnaround story — for both the Bears and merchandise sales — led by several little to unknown players on the roster having huge impacts on the field, fueling shopper demand and popularity.
“Within the last four to five weeks, more and more of the current stuff is selling,” Holloway said.
Still, the historic Super Bowl-winning team of the 1985-86 season still draws far more demand and transactions, according to retailers.
That transcendent team, with legends like Walter Payton, Mike Singletary and Dan Hampton, drew global fandom and helped change the culture of sports entertainment and player star power.
So, could demand shift given the recent success of this year’s team, which has the rising star quarterback Williams and three Pro Bowlers, including offensive linemen Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman and safety Kevin Byard III?
“Zero chance,” said Scott Beatty, owner of Morton Grove-based AU Sports Memorabilia, founded in 1980. “Caleb would have to get to a couple of Super Bowls before that would happen.”
A Bears jacket with vintage pins is on display at Elite Sports Cards and Comics in Dunning.