Colbert ignites sales for Steagle Colbeagle the Eagle swag

By Stone Martindale Dec 2, 2006, 21:09 GMT

Comedian Stephen Colbert EPA/ANDREW GOMBERT

Satirical darling of Comedy Central, actor Stephen Colbert has an enormous audience, and his economic impact when he lasers his sights on a cause is powerful, as witnessed by the recent Hungarian bridge naming contest, and now successful launch of the latest mascot darling of the Saginaw Spirit, Michigan's hockey team. 

When the team announced it was seeking a name for its new eagle mascot, Colbert began pleading on the air for the Spirit to name it after him.

The team agreed, and in September, Steagle Colbeagle the Eagle was born. Colbert showed the mascot on his program and has given weekly updates on the team’s progress ever since.

The Saginaw news reports:"We just sent 25 jerseys to California last week," Saginaw Managing Partner Craig M. Goslin said. "It's the largest single jersey sale to date. We sent them to a wholesaler out there whose clients want one because the jersey has become hot because of Colbert. 

"We've sent merchandise around the world to people who've told us they heard about us through the 'Colbert Report."'

The Spirit organization will receive another round of national publicity when Bob Mancini, the GM and coach of the Spirit, chats with Colbert during the nightly fake newscast.

"We've sent hats and jerseys to Ireland and Scotland in recent weeks," Goslin said. "Our hat sales are up 25 percent over last year, and Stephen Colbert has helped us in a big way by talking about us every week."