Demand for Walter Payton memorabilia has soared since his death, but items are in short supply, merchants said Tuesday.Champs Sports at Woodfield Shopping Center has been bombarded with calls requesting hats or clothing with Payton's name or number, but has had nothing to offer, employee Cheryl Pala said. "We usually carry only current jerseys."
The White Sox Club House at Oakbrook Center had two Payton jerseys earlier this week, but they sold as soon as word leaked out that the condition of the football great was deteriorating.
At Walter Payton's Roundhouse in Aurora, demand for videos, mugs and T-shirts was strong.
"Everybody's been buying, from the young to the old," waitress Pat Johnson said.
It was the same story at the Sportmart at Water Tower Place in Chicago.
"Our Payton pictures have already sold out," manager George Leonakis said. "He had class, which is rarely found in athletes nowadays. He was a great guy."
Some buyers are turning to Internet sites, which are offering merchandise from apparel to athletic gear.
An Internet directory of sports products and services, www.onlinesports.com, offers an assortment of unique items: a "Sweetness" figurine of a running, football-toting Payton; a Walter Payton autographed cap in an enclosed case; an autographed Chicago jersey with Payton's trademark number "34"; and an autographed full-sized helmet with the Chicago Bears insignia.
Mike Farkas, president of onlinesports.com, said the company has increased prices for its Payton-autographed footballs from $250 to $325. Similarly, Payton helmets sold for $850 Tuesday, up from an original price of $540 - before they sold out.
"We have definitely noticed a disproportionate increase in sales of Payton items," he said. "I think that just reflects his character."
Merchandise also was available on the Walter Payton Foundation's charity Web site, http://mypage.ihost.com/WalterPaytonFoundation. It featured items including 8-by-10-inch autographed action photos ($55), Hall of Fame posters ($75) and Chicago Bears helmets ($400). Customers also can purchase an official NFL football autographed by Payton for $195.
Daily Herald business writer Kim Mikus contributed to this report.
