Could This Be What Curt Flood Was Looking For?

The NY Mets, always on the cutting edge, will be the first MLB team with a shop that is owned by MLBPA. The retail outlet will be dedicated to selling player only merchandise.

The name of this bodega is The Players Clubhouse: A Players Choice Store. With this being the first of it's kind, and being house in the Mets new ballpark, Gil Hodges Memorial Park, the players union is looking to open more of these retail outlets.

All items sold in the store, bobble heads, jersey's, coffee mugs, etc. will bear players names and likeness'. The items will be created by such giants as: Nike, Topps, Upper Deck, Rawlings, Forever Collectibles and more. Some products looking to be tested will be designed by Mets players. Money earned will go towards the union.

“The intention is not to block out New York Mets logos. Fans believe the players are their connection to the games and they want to keep jerseys of their favorite players”, said Judy Heeter, the union’s director of business affairs and licensing.

According to the NY Times, “Players from the Mets and the Boston Red Sox, who will play an exhibition game Friday at Citi Field, will attend the opening of the store, which is behind Section 327 on the second deck. The store will be set up like a locker room and have 470 square feet.”

The store(s) will be run by Aramark , and will see goods exclusively for ill sell goods exclusively from Nike, New Era and Majestic.

Source: Ken Belson - NY Times