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The Super Bowl LIX spending challenge: What memorabilia can you get for $150 in New Orleans?

Our mission? To find the best Super Bowl LIX merchandise or memorabilia around New Orleans on a $150 budget. It's harder than it seems when you flip over the price of a T-shirt or hat and you see why this Super Bowl is projected to have a local economic impact of at least $500 million, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Advertisement We never crossed paths during our Thursday spending spree so neither of us knew what the other bought or if there was any overlap. Collectibles editors Brooks Peck and David Betancourt are serving as the judges of this Super Bowl spending challenge. But obviously the readers deserve all their rights to praise or pan any of our choices in the comments, so have at it. Saquon Barkley NOLA Bound T-shirt, NFLPA licensed ($35) I figured I'd start with a traditional sports memorabilia store. So following Thursday's Chiefs media availability, I walked down Chartres St., heading for Jackson Square en route to N'Awlins Sports on Decatur St. On the way, two very much non-sports stores caught my attention and I figured I'd dive in to see what's what. The store sold all of your traditional Saints, NFL, NBA and college gear. With the stipulation of buying at least one officially licensed product, this place seemed like an easy choice. Nothing super unique stood out, but the Barkley shirt brought out the most New Orleans-y element. The NFL's leading rusher dons Mardi Gras beads with a nice backdrop of the city. For $35, it's probably one of the cheaper licensed Super Bowl shirts floating around New Orleans this week. But across the street and about a block away, the combination of beignets and hats were too sweet to pass up. Super Bowl LIX Cafe Du Monde cap, NFL licensed exclusively through Lids ($40) The world famous Cafe Du Monde on a Super Bowl cap? It's a real thing, and the selection is glorious. Fresh out the beignet fryer, the Cafe Du Monde store laid out five versions of its '47 brand caps. Prices ranged from $35 to $50 depending on the hat. I bought the black, pinstriped hat with the Super Bowl LIX logo on the front. On the side there's a milk carton, can of powdered sugar and box of beignet mix marching in a second line with the milk carton holding a flag reading 'Du What Ya Wanna,' which is a play off a song by the New Orleans-based Rebirth Brass Band. David Betancourt geeked out when alerted these caps were for sale. He bought the green pinstriped one with the traditional Cafe Du Monde brand name on the front and a grooving beignet mix box on the side. David's sister, Ashley, then jumped on board and bought every version of the cap! They're such unique hats with ties to the Super Bowl and the beignet shop that's constantly aired during any New Orleans sporting event when coming back from commercials or in a pregame montage. Advertisement Geaux Taylor's Version T-shirt ($30) and St. Travis prayer candle ($20), Fleurty Girl Lauren Haydel's snappy, sassy T-shirt and gift shop will likely go down as a New Orleans fashion institution 20 years from now. Haydel and her crew link so many traditional New Orleans sayings, terms, brands and public figures to T-shirts and gifts. I already knew Fleurty Girl designed numerous Taylor Swift shirts when the music star's tour hit New Orleans a few months ago. So when I walked back down Chartres Street I knew the French Quarter location would come through clutch. The T-shirt sports the Chiefs' red and yellow colors, throwing in the traditional 'Geaux' with 'Taylor's Version' displayed in Swift's famous friendship bracelet beads. And I had to package that with a Swift and Travis Kelce prayer candle, with an inscription 'Patron Saints of Cuffing Season.' The store also sold candles featuring Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, Andy Reid and Nick Sirianni. I wanted to buy a clear purse with Eagles colored trim that read 'Flock Around and Find Out.' But I couldn't afford another $50 buy. Super Bowl LIX shot glass ($15) and commemorative pin ($13), a pop-up NFL Shop store On my way back to the city's convention center, I cut through Fulton Alley for some small final pickups. You can never go wrong with a commemorative lapel pin. And the shot glass can be used by either team's fan base to celebrate a win or to drown sorrows in defeat. (Ed. note: Whether the Eagles win or lose, I'm going to need more than a shot glass. —Brooks) Hello, judges. I lay before you the best haul of the day by far. My wares come from the official Super Bowl store in downtown New Orleans and Swamp Rags, a vintage store in the French Quarter specializing in sports merchandise, among other things. Super Bowl IV pin ($5) The smallest item of this batch may be the mightiest. I loved how far back it goes, all the way to 1970. I believe the thematic inclusion of both the Chiefs — winners over the Vikings in a 23-7 game, the first Super Bowl in franchise history — and location, the first Super Bowl in New Orleans, make it stand out. Symmetry! Advertisement Super Bowl LIX pint glass ($24.99) Here's my pick of the current year's offerings. I loved the stained glass design, and frankly this was the best item I could grab from the official Super Bowl store without incurring a garish charge on the company credit card. I almost blew my entire budget on a Starter jacket at the official NFL Shop, but resisted. Please clap. Super Bowl XXXVI commemorative football ($25) The 2002 title matchup was also held here in New Orleans, and it birthed a dynasty. This was the first Patriots Super Bowl win of the modern era, the culmination of Tom Brady's first season as a starter after Drew Bledsoe went down early in the year. It's a perfect reminder of how no one thought Brady and the Patriots would win this game, which came against the vaunted 'Best Show on Turf' offense in St. Louis. Feels poetic. Super Bowl XXIII bomber jacket ($65) For me, this is the pièce de résistance of the bounty. Super Bowl XXIII saw the 49ers win their third championship with a 20-17 win over Cincinnati that still haunts Bengals fans. It was also held in Miami, the city that's hosted the most Super Bowls, yet the Superdome is the stadium with the most SB visits. This game happened at Joe Robbie Stadium, the first Miami title game not at the Orange Bowl. Did I stretch to make that connection? Sure. The jacket is simply flawless, though, and had to be here. I will wear this in public. Saints Dome Patrol shirt ($60) New Orleans' linebacking corps was so good in the late 1980s and early 1990s that it earned a nickname and clearly inspired hope for the Saints. I couldn't find any information on when this shirt was made, but I'm guessing it was either 1991 or 1992, when New Orleans went 11-5 and 12-4, respectively, though the Saints lost both playoff games. Local ties + cool vintage + the word 'Super Bowl' on the shirt = perfect, to me. My closing argument: I think you'll find a strong array of goods, spanning different eras and uses, which combines for an elite Super Bowl merchandise haul. Blending a mix of current, official goods with vintage items from a local small business felt right. Yes, yes, I went slightly over budget. But I think this was worth it. There's no way Larry beats this. I rest my case. David Betancourt: Despite reminding me that my Washington Commanders didn't make it to Super Bowl LIX with his Saquon Barkley shirt, my vote goes to Larry Holder. The NFLPA shirts (despite not being able to use team logos) are always fun (I've got a 'Hail Jayden' one myself). I think those Cafe Du Monde caps might be one of the hottest items at the Super Bowl. And I'm always a sucker for a nice lapel pin. Even if there's a Philadelphia Eagles helmet on it. Advertisement Brooks Peck: On the one hand, there's a case to be made that Chris should be disqualified for going $30 over budget, but I respect the commitment of going into his own pocket to secure those items. Also, the fact that Larry corrupted one of the judge's impartiality by facilitating hat purchases for him can't be overlooked. With all that said, I'm voting for Chris — he came away with a unique mix of items and a thoughtful narrative through-line that ties them together (sort of). If he's not wearing the bomber jacket the next time I see him, then I reserve the right to change my vote, though. But that means we have a tie! Chime in down below to help us decide the winner. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence in all our coverage. When you click or make purchases through our links, we may earn a commission. (All photos: Larry Holder and Chris Branch)