The New England Patriots will offer fans a chance to exchange their Aaron Hernandez jerseys for free this weekend, but jersey holders may find a better deal selling their jerseys on online markets.
In light of Hernandez's first-degree murder charge, the Patriots ProShop at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., will allow fans to swap their Hernandez jerseys for any other comparably-priced jersey in stock. No receipts are needed, but only officially licensed Nike or Reebok jerseys will be accepted.
Customers can exchange their jerseys Saturday and Sunday. Only one jersey swap allowed per customer.
"We know that children love wearing their Patriots jerseys, but may not understand why parents don't want them wearing their Hernandez jerseys anymore," New England Patriots spokesperson Stacey James said in a release to NBC affiliate WWLP. "We hope this opportunity to exchange those jerseys at the Patriots ProShop for another player's jersey will be well-received by parents."
For fans who can’t make it to the exchange, there may be another way to profit from their No. 81 jerseys. Turning to secondary markets, like eBay, can earn fans twice the original price for their jerseys.
John Lamothe was surprised when he sold his Hernandez jersey for $289.
“I thought I might get $15 for it,” he told The Boston Globe.
There are currently 768 results for “Aaron Hernandez jersey” being auctioned on eBay. Asking prices range from 99 cents to more than $1,000.
Hernandez, 23, was released from the New England Patriots after being charged with murder in the death of Odin Lloyd.
The former tight end is also being investigated by Boston police for his possible connection to a 2012 murder in which he allegedly shot a man in the face. He is currently being held without bail.