Modell's Ordered Up 168,000 Pieces of Jeremy Lin Merchandise

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Bootleggers of Jeremy Lin jerseys better try to cash in over the next 72 hours. That's how long it will take until 168,000 Jeremy-Lin–themed items hit Modell's stores, arriving "by truck, by van, by plane, by boat," according to company CEO Mitch Modell.

The Times Square location got one such shipment last night, and NBC New York reports that the chaos that followed approached sample sale levels: "Lines formed around clothing racks before shirts were even unpacked. Workers barely finished opening one box before another they had to open another."

It's not just that everyone loves Lin, the Asian Harvard grad who's suddenly become the Knicks' newest star. There's also a question of scarcity: Because Lin rose to the top so fast, jersey-makers were caught unaware. They also had trouble rounding up enough royal blue shirts, according to Mitch Modell, who points out that the color is also worn by the Rangers and recent Super Bowl winners the Giants.
· Jeremy Lin Jerseys Arrive to High Demand [NBC New York]
· Jeremy Lin's Jersey: More Coveted than Fashion Week Tickets [Racked NY]