Clemson's Football Success Creates Merchandising Frenzy

Clemson University’s run at a possible football national championship has turned the Lowcountry sports merchandise world topsy-turvy.

Clemson’s rise to No. 1 in the College Football Playoff coupled with South Carolina’s struggles has stores that sell sports merchandise making a lot of on-the-fly adjustments. T-shirts with slogans like “Dabo for President” and “Party Like It’s 1981” are selling quickly. South Carolina merchandise, meanwhile, is moving at a slower than normal pace.

“Typically in the Lowcountry, Gamecock merchandise outsells Clemson about 3 to 1,” said Luke Flood, owner of The Fan Zone, located near Tanger Outlets in North Charleston, S. C. “This year it’s probably 3 1/2 to 1, Clemson, maybe 4 to 1. It’s been a tremendous change.”