Jarryd Hayne’s San Francisco 49ers jersey tops NFL online store as most popular seller

JUST 24 hours after confirming his place on the San Francisco 49ers’ 53-man squad, Jarryd Hayne’s No.38 jersey is now the most popular seller on the NFL’s online store

IT’S official, Aussies are taking over American sports apparel.

Just 24 hours after confirming his place on the San Francisco 49ers’ 53-man squad, Jarryd Hayne’s No.38 jersey is now the most popular seller on the NFL’s online store.

Haynemania now represents the second time this year Americans have made a mad rush to buy the jersey of an unheralded Australian. During a fairytale NBA finals run in June — a time historically reserved for the likes of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant or teammate LeBron James — Victoria-born Cleveland Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova incredibly boasted the league’s highest-selling singlet.

Jarryd Hayne earning his no.38 jersey with the 49ers in the NFL preseason clash against the San Diego Chargers.

All this from a guy who averaged just 20 minutes per game during the regular season before he stepped into a starting role in the playoffs and captured the attention of US fans with his gritty displays.

Hayne’s jersey shipments have begun arriving in San Francisco, with Nike stacking the racks of some stores within hours of the Australian being rostered on.

JARRYD HAYNE GALLERY

Speaking with The Daily Telegraph on Monday, an employee from the 49ers Team Store in San Francisco said the first “shipment” of No.38 jerseys arrived late on Saturday night.

Incredibly, the former Parramatta Eels NRL star only had his place in the final 53-man confirmed at one o’clock that afternoon.

Aussie basketballer Matthew Dellavedova also enjoyed successful sales of his No.8 jersey during the 2015 NBA Finals.

Across at Westfields Santa Clara, Hayne jerseys were also being unpacked. And at the Levi’s Stadium outlet, a staffer confirmed more boxes were expected within coming days.

“We’ve already got the red Hayne jerseys on our racks,’’ an employee at the 49ers home stadium said.

“We’ve been wanting more but had to wait until it was confirmed he was on the roster. Now that’s happened, we’re expecting a heap more in from the Nike manufacturer.”

WANT MORE HAYNE? Go to our HayneHub

Reatiling for US$99.95, Hayne jerseys are quickly becoming the must-have item here in California, with dozens of red 38s dotting the crowd during last Thursday’s game against the San Diego Chargers.

Jarryd Hayne jerseys on the NFL website.

As revealed by The Daily Telegraph last week, the stadium outlet has already got Hayne jerseys on the rack — sitting alongside those of $160 million quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

On the NFL store’s online jersey page the No.38 49ers jersey is displayed right next to four-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady’s New England shirt.

And given Nike have now been given the green light for mass Hayne production, hundreds more are expected to appear in both the white and black 49ers playing strips.

Official Jarryd Hayne merchandise is seen on the racks of the official 49ers store in San Francisco. Picture: Nick Walshaw

“Hayne is definitely popular,’’ an employee from Santa Clara Westfields said. “We’ve had a lot of people asking for them and, from this morning, we have them here ready to go.”

Once unthinkable, the 49ers having now been pushing jersey sales for their rookie punt returner for weeks.

On the club’s official merchandise website, the No.38 jersey leads the page with five different options available to men ($US99.95), women ($US94.95) and youth ($US69.95).

Initially, all jerseys were being custom made.

However club officialdom then made the surprise decision to order a special run for sale at their Stadium store, a full week before Hayne’s place on the final 53-man roster was even confirmed.

But with the 27-year-old having now being officially confirmed as an NFL player on Saturday, Nike have begun bulk production. Apart from jerseys, it is understood the apparel partner will also do a range of Hayne merchandise items.

Dellavedova’s No.8 jersey, meanwhile, was the top seller from beyond US borders during the playoffs and 14th overall.

Local fans clamouring for Hayne jerseys

JARRYD Hayne’s San Francisco 49s number 38 jersey is the most highly sought-after sports item in Sydney — now all we need is for them to hit the shelves.

Peter Wynn’s Store on Church Street Parramatta has experienced lines of customers before their shop even opens and about 120 phone calls a day from people wanting to buy the coveted red and white jersey wore by the two-time Daly M Medallist.

And while the orders have been made and received by the NFL it is estimated to be about a two week wait before the stock arrives.

“This one man has pretty much made the store as busy as it would be in 2009 when Parramatta made the Grand Final,” Staff member Peter Younam said.

“Whatever jersey, it doesn’t have to be Parramatta, everyone is getting Hayne 38 on the back, Roosters, Dragons, Sharks, Cowboys, Canberra, everybody.

“We have put orders in with the NFL and we are just waiting to hear back from the NFL to see how many jerseys we are going to receive into the store.

“Hopefully that relationship gets a little bit better, a little bit easier, a little bit quicker and we have them constantly throughout the year.

“I don’t even know if we are going to get 100 jerseys into the store.”

But Mr Younam can assure fans that the NFL definitely understands the demand for Hayne’s number 38.

“(The NFL) have a clue because if you read all their websites and hop on their website, Hayne-mania has exploded in the States as well,” he said.

“They are latching onto him, they have already sold out of his jersey in their physical stores and their online stores as well. They know what’s going on as well.”

Alishia Vaiarella works on the cash register in Peter Wynn’s Store and is expecting a busy day when the jerseys eventually arrive.

“I’ll need a few cups of coffee that morning, definitely, but it will be good,” she said.

“Everyone is coming into the shop and asking. They are wanting it for their kids, their grandparents everybody wants it.”

In the meantime, Hayne fans can purchase a San Francisco 49ers cap for $50 and get the number 38 imprinted on an NRL club jersey for $170.