Our Opinion of Game-Cuts/Game-Issueds

So I'm talking to a team about a game-worn jersey deal (no hints, sorry) and the conversation turns to game cuts.

How many game cuts did I feel was appropriate for the team to supply, I was asked

I told them what MeiGray has believed since it was founded in 1997 ... none should be planned for supply. Some will inevitably be included in any team's year-end inventory because plans change, players get traded, players get hurt, and some jerseys do not get worn once they are prepared.

But we believe there is no good reason why a team should supply a game-worn jersey dealer with deliberately prepared game cuts. It is asking for trouble.

Did you know that when MeiGray sells a game cut or game-issued jersey it automatically stamps it inside the jersey "NOT GAME WORN."

Did you know that when MeiGray sells a game cut or game-issued jersey the letter of authenticity identifies the jersey as not worn and the MeiGrade Registration number logs the jersey as not game worn.

I am sorry to say that we have seen too many honest collectors ripped off by dishonest people who claim "they lost" the LOA of a game-issued jersey and sell the jersey as game worn. It's one of the many reasons why MeiGray encourages collectors to check with us before purchasing a jersey on the secondary market ... with just the serial number in hand, we can tell you what's being offered, and if the jersey is what the seller says it is.

There are good reasons why game issueds hit the hobby. Collectors who otherwise could not afford a game-worn jersey can get a jersey of their favorite player or team, from the locker room, when a jersey that was supposed to be worn is not worn.

Solid reasons why game issueds exist?

1. Teams make a backup for a player, and the players never gets to wear the jersey.
2. Player gets hurt before the jersey goes into circulation.
3. Player gets traded before the jersey goes into circulation.
4, Team prepares a new set for the playoffs and team misses the playoffs at the last minute.

Less solid reason why game issueds exist?
1. Player changed sizes and never wore the jersey. Occasionally it could happen, but most equipment managers know exactly what to prepare for their players, so this rarely happens. It's not impossible, but does not happen often.
2.  Player asked for additional jerseys. This happens, but MeiGray does not characterize those as game issued.

MeiGray's definition of a game-issued jersey is a jersey that was prepared for the player's use, but was never worn. A player ordering extra jerseys does not necessarily mean the player planned to wear them. We're usually careful and take it case-by-case.

You should be careful, too.