The Alouettes fell victim to their success in winning the Gray Cup just over a month before the Christmas season, so much so that there was a shortage of certain derivative products. A happy problem, certainly, even if not all football fans find the coveted object under the tree.
“It's the effect of victory,” explained player Marc-Antoine Dequoy with a smile. There is enthusiasm and it shows the pride of the people. We are truly a province that takes pride in our winning teams and that clearly showed in the sales!”
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Mark Weightman, president and CEO of the Alouettes, also welcomes the situation with a grain of salt, although he admits he has done his best to help address this extraordinary situation.
“In derivative products, there was a shortage of several items,” he admitted. In recent years we have received around 1000 orders per year via our website shop. We received over 2,600 within 10 days of our Gray Cup win and counting… In addition to a stock shortage, there was a labor shortage to ship everything in time for the holiday season.”
“After December 15th we can no longer guarantee receipt of your order [des] “Alouettes before Christmas,” can also be read on the team’s website.
The popular number 24
Will you have your Alouettes sweater in time for Christmas? Despite the popularity of certain players like Dequoy, Cody Fajardo or Tyson Philpot, there can be no real shortage at this level. There is always the option to use the option of a personalized jersey to associate yourself with a specific player. In fact, the only pre-identified jersey currently available in the Alouettes virtual store is that of ball carrier William Stanback, whose return to Montreal in 2024 is far from guaranteed.
Without being able to quantify them, Mr. Weightman notes that there were numerous orders for a number 24 sweater with Dequoy's name on the back. The impact of the victory, as the main concerned person would say, but most likely also the impact of his reaction after capturing the Gray Cup.
Photo Martin Chevalier / Journal de Montréal
Dequoy's patriotic speech, which also helped the Parti Québécois in the polls, still resonates.
“They never believed in us,” he said on television, discussing the Alouettes' role as underdogs and the lack of respect for the French language during the Canadian Football League playoffs. You look everywhere and it's written in English! On the leader [télé] From TSN it was Toronto vs. Winnipeg. […] But, you know what? Keep your English! 'Cause we're gonna take this trophy and we're gonna bring it back to Montreal, we're gonna bring it back to Quebec, we're gonna bring it home because we're the damn champions!”
Not just a local
Without returning directly to this spontaneous release of Dequoy that toured Quebec, Mr. Weightman notes that the player's popularity skyrocketed.
“It is clear that there are not many people in Quebec today who have never heard of Marc-Antoine Dequoy,” agreed the president. If we just look at media coverage and social media trends, Marc-Antoine is clearly the name we hear most often.
“He is not just a local man but an exceptional player who has embraced his leadership role beautifully throughout the season and throughout the playoffs,” Mr Weightman said. The names Fajardo and Philpot have also become more popular since we won the final, I would say.
Photo agency QMI, JOEL LEMAY
A constant reminder
In addition to derivative products, sales of season tickets or other packages with multiple home games also skyrocketed as Christmas approached.
As they wait for the next Canadian Football League season, the Alouettes players themselves will use the holidays to celebrate, but also to rest.
Photo agency QMI, JOEL LEMAY
Since their victory on November 19th, there have been numerous celebrations, starting with the Parade of Champions in downtown Montreal the following week.
“The energy there was there, it was incredible, I will always remember it,” Dequoy said. Afterwards, it is a constant reminder of our victory when we stand on the ice at the Bell Center, raise the Gray Cup in front of the world or go to the National Assembly. This tour, which we have been experiencing for weeks, is extraordinary.”
TVA NEWS/QMI AGENCY
As extraordinary and unusual as the sale of Alouettes items last month!