This Thursday during the 2013 NFL Draft, Cowboys scouts and executives won't be the only ones putting in extra hours after the team makes its first pick.Employees at Dallas Cowboys Merchandising will also be burning the midnight oil.
Within minutes after the first round selection is announced, people across the world will be able to purchase his jersey on ShopCowboys.com. The Cowboys own distribution rights to its logo.
"Working in conjunction with Nike, we are a certified Nike factory," said Eric Bradle, senior director of operations for DCM. "We can produce our own logo on a Nike product."
This gives DCM the ability to begin printing the Cowboys' first round pick's jersey as orders are received the night of the draft. Bradle said anywhere from 12 to 18 people will be on standby the night of the draft, including press operators, general laborers and their graphics design team.
Just like any commodity, the amount produced is dictated by the demand of a particular player.Typically the demand forskill players is much greater than other positions.
In 2010, wide receiver Dez Bryant was selected 24th overall in the first round by the Cowboys.
"We drafted Dez around 9 p.m. on a Thursday," said Bill Priakos, chief operating officer of DCM."After we found out that he was going to be No. 88, we immediately had it up on ShopCowboys.com, ready to order.By 9:30 that night, we were screen-printing 88s."
[embedded_ad] In addition to being able to ship out all of those orders the following morning, Priakos said they were particularly proud that each of their local DFW area stores also had Bryant's jersey available by 10 a.m. the next day when they opened.
Even if jerseys of your favorite draft pick aren't mass produced, you can always choose the custom option at ShopCowboys.com. Just enter the name, number and color jersey you want and it will be ready to ship within 48 hours.
