Aside from the occasional NBA fanatic, most people can't name who gets signed to a 10-day-contract by a sub .500 team, much less actually buy their jersey.
But for Brooklyn Net's back-up center Jason Collins, who is now the NBA's first openly gay active player, not only is his jersey available it's flying off the shelves... (Via Grantland)
"The NBA said his jersey was the top seller on the first day it was available.Collins was the first openly gay athlete to play in the NBA, he's going to start wearing number 98 tomorrow night." (Via CNN)
Collins' number 98 jersey was the top-selling jersey online and in the NBA's official store in New York, Tuesday, the day after his big NBA debut against the LA Lakers. (Via NBA Store)
According to Collins, he wears the number 98 jersey in honor of slain teenager Matthew Shepard, who was killed in a gay hate crime in 1998.
So what does Collins think of all of this history being made? "Right now, I'm focused on trying to learn the plays, I don't have time to worry about history right now." (Via Yes Network)
And he should learn those plays, as the New York Times points out, this 10 day contract is just a try-out for Collins. "The contracts, while useful, are rarely a source of much production and are instead used to fill out rosters when injuries occur."
If all goes well for Collins, he could be signed for the rest of the season, which would make his jersey available in the Barclays Center and keep it available online. But for right now, you can only get number 98 for a limited time.
