Vintage sports jerseys worth up to $3,000 score with Long Island fans

Vintage sports jerseys are more than just throwback threads — they’re a winning triple play of team spirit, collectibility and standout style.

Amanda Cerretani, a 21-year-old pre-med student at Molloy University from Massapequa, got into "the vintage game" a few years ago after an injury sidelined her from softball.

"I always loved sports, clothes and history," says Cerretani, adding that the venture keeps her tied to sports. She focuses on jerseys from the 1980s and '90s, and has an Instagram shop called @rethreaded_co.

Her current inventory lineup includes a 1986 Lawrence Taylor New York Giants jersey as well as a 1990s Kordell Stewart No. 10 Pittsburgh Steelers. "People are passionate about teams and players," Cerretani says, adding that jerseys are symbols of loyalty and excitement. "They’re a way to show support."

Every jersey tells a story 

Across Long Island, shop owners and independent resellers agree that vintage sports jerseys are sought-after and bridge fandom, fashion and sports culture.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan, style enthusiast or collector chasing a piece of history, jerseys offer a concrete connection to the past. And every jersey tells a story.

At Back of the Closet, a vintage and secondhand clothing store in Huntington, NFL, MLB and NHL jerseys from the '80s and '90s are key players in owner Andres Munoz’s business. Vintage team jerseys start around $50. Newer jerseys are also in stock.

All-star players, no surprise, are in high demand. Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, NHL legend Wayne Gretzky and Mets third baseman David Wright are often asked about.

"I can’t keep Islander stuff in stock," Munoz says. It’s one of my hardest jerseys to get. Every time we get any Islander fisherman jerseys — the '90s ones — they sell out like the same day or the following day." These much-coveted tops sell for up to $200.

"We get a lot of customers that are like, ‘I’m going to the Yankees game tomorrow,’ " Munoz says. “‘I want to wear a jersey.’"

Vintage sports jerseys have carved out MVP fashion status thanks to bold colors, retro fonts and classic logos. Munoz won’t part with his Calgary Flames jersey with a blazing C on it. "I don’t like the team," he says, "but the jersey is just so cool."

As with all things vintage, finding old-school sports gear is part of the game, according to Robert Cosidente, 34, a vintage clothing reseller from Holtsville. He specializes in threads from the 1980s to 2000s and can be found at area flea markets and on Instagram.

His main sources include thrift stores ("Sometimes you get lucky," he says), shopping expeditions and online marketplaces. His customers, who range from teens to septuagenarians, sell to him.

Jersey prices are dynamic and depend on the era, the team, the player and even the style, Cosidente says. In-demand brands include Starter, Champion, Logo Athletic and Nike.

Though New York teams are always in demand, shoppers look farther afield. "We have so many people from all over the world here on Long Island," Cosidente says. "I sell jerseys from teams from all over the country. I’m surprised at how often I get asked for a Detroit Lions jersey."

Jerseys pay tribute to greatness — some shoppers wear them proudly, while others showcase their prized collectibles. Autographed jerseys, often kept behind glass, carry sentimental and monetary value, especially if game-worn or signed by legendary athletes.

Sells like team spirit 

At Living Legends Memorabilia and Collectibles Inc. in Rockville Centre, autographed sports jerseys are available framed and unframed. Prices range from around $200 to $3,000.

"People who are sports fans live and die with their teams and their athletes," says owner Warren Heller, who grew up in East Meadow going to ballgames with his dad and collecting autographs.

Sporting items account for about 70%  of his eclectic merchandise at the 29-year-old business. "We have jerseys in all the different major sports," he says, adding that auctions are his prime source for merchandise. "Autographs unequivocally boost value."

Superstars and icons are always in demand. In September, he had framed jerseys autographed by the Jets Sack Exchange, Tom Seaver, Aaron Judge and Mickey Mantle, to name a few. A Julius Irving jersey recently netted him $650. A framed Magic Johnson jersey went for over $700. Swish.

At Cardboard Memories, a 33-year-old sports memorabilia store in Commack, jerseys are just one the many items up for grabs. Some of the Yankees jerseys here date all the way to the 1950s, so they come with the luster of championship seasons.

"People want to invest into tangible stuff," says store owner Scott Stimell, adding that emotions factor into the value. "There are serious collectors that love to have a piece of history tied to something that they either watched as a child or connected to with their mom or dad. That connection is powerful."