TOM BRADY LEADS ALL PLAYERS ON NFLPA TOP 50 PLAYER SALES LIST
via press release:
WASHINGTON D.C., July 23, 2015 – New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is the current undisputed retail champion, ranking No. 1 for the first time on the NFLPA Top 50 Player Sales List for FY16 Q1. The list is based on total sales of all officially licensed merchandise from March 1 through May 31, 2015. The Super Bowl XLIX champion unseated Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks, who topped all players in sales on the NFLPA’s FY15 year-end report that saw Brady finish a then-best third place.
Quarterbacks dominated during Q1, which is historically the lowest quarter in terms of sales volume for licensees, with Brady, the San Francisco 49ers’ Colin Kaepernick, Wilson, the Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Rodgers and the Denver Broncos’ Peyton Manning in the top five spots. Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman and New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. were joined for the first time in the top 10 of a sales report by a pair of rookie quarterbacks – the Tennessee Titans’ Marcus Mariota and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Jameis Winston. Philadelphia Eagles running back DeMarco Murray, Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham, Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden, Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski and Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy completed the top 15 best sellers.
The list, released quarterly by NFL Players Inc., the marketing and licensing arm of the NFLPA, is based on overall sales of all licensed products from online and traditional retail outlets as reported by more than 80 NFLPA licensees such as Nike, VF Imagewear, Fanatics, Outerstuff, Fathead, McFarlane Toys, Oyo Sports, Bleacher Creatures, FBF Originals, Forever Collectibles, FanPrint and Photo File. Licensed product categories include men’s, women’s and youth game jerseys and t-shirts, player murals, figurines, matted and framed photos, bobbleheads, drinkware, socks, jewelry, electronic device accessories, among others.
Additional highlights:
- Brady outsold all players in Oyo Sports mini-figures, Forever Collectibles bobbleheads (followed by teammate Gronkowski), Fatheads and Lids custom player headwear.
- Kaepernick and Brady ranked first and second, respectively, in Nike jerseys.
- Wilson was most popular among kids in hardlines and apparel – followed by Rodgers, Watt, Manning and Kaepernick – which includes licensees Bleacher Creatures, Outerstuff and Oyo Sports.
- In women’s apparel, Kaepernick reigned supreme with Brady, Wilson, Rodgers and Watt rounding out the top five.
- Appearing for the first time on a Top 50 report was Haden (No. 13) and Miami Dolphins defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh (No. 22).
- From Q3 to Q1, new Seahawk Jimmy Graham vaulted from No. 40 to No. 12, while Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr jumped 20 spots to No. 30.
- Mariota, Winston and wide receiver Kevin White of the Chicago Bears were the only rookies among the FY16 Q1 top 50 best sellers.
- Mariota also led in collegiate co-brand hardlines which includes licensees Oyo Sports, Fanatics, Forever Collectibles, Team Beans and Team Spirit Store; a pair of surprises on the collegiate co-brand list included Washington Redskins quarterback Colt McCoy and Eagles quarterback Tim Tebow in the 10th and 11th spots, respectively. Tebow returns to the Top 50 report for the first time since 2012.
- Despite missing the 2014 season to injury, Giants receiver Victor Cruz was the top-selling sock from FBF Originals.
- Joe Thomas of the Browns was the first offensive lineman to appear on the report (No. 45) since the NFLPA began compiling in 2012.
- New faces in new places drove sales with Murray (Philadelphia), Graham (Seattle), McCoy (Buffalo), Darrelle Revis and Brandon Marshall (New York Jets), Suh (Miami) and Tebow (Philadelphia) all among the best sellers.
- Beckham jumped from the NFLPA “Rising 50” List, which projects future top sellers of licensed merchandise, into eighth place on the overall Q1 list. Other Rising 50 players who moved from prospects to emerging retail stars included Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack (No. 26), Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (No. 29), Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (No. 35), Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (No. 38), Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (No. 43) and 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (No. 49).
NFLPA Top 50 Player Sales Rankings – FY16 Q1 (March 1-May 31, 2015):
1. Tom Brady, New England Patriots
2. Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers
3. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
4. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
5. Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos
6. J.J. Watt, Houston Texans
7. Richard Sherman, Seattle Seahawks
8. Odell Beckham, Jr., New York Giants
9. Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans
10. Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
11. DeMarco Murray, Philadelphia Eagles
12. Jimmy Graham, Seattle Seahawks
13. Joe Haden, Cleveland Browns
14. Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots
15. LeSean McCoy, Buffalo Bills
16. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts
17. Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers
18. Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys
19. Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers
20. Navorro Bowman, San Francisco 49ers
21. Darrelle Revis, New York Jets
22. Ndamukong Suh, Miami Dolphins
23. Brandon Marshall, New York Jets
24. Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks
25. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
26. Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders
27. Johnny Manziel, Cleveland Browns
28. Earl Thomas, Seattle Seahawks
29. Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers
30. Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders
31. Tim Tebow, Philadelphia Eagles
32. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
33. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions
34. Sammy Watkins, Buffalo Bills
35. Julian Edelman, New England Patriots
36. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
37. Eddie Lacy, Green Bay Packers
38. Alshon Jeffery, Chicago Bears
39. Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers*
40. Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers
41. Teddy Bridgewater, Minnesota Vikings
42. Kam Chancellor, Seattle Seahawks
43. Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars
44. Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins
45. Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns
46. Kevin White, Chicago Bears
47. Eric Reid, San Francisco 49ers
48. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers
49. Carlos Hyde, San Francisco 49ers
50. Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos
*Retired March 10, 2015
About the NFL Players Association
The National Football League Players Association is the union for professional football players in the National Football League. Established in 1956, the NFLPA has a long history of assuring proper recognition and representation of players’ interests. The NFLPA has shown that it will do whatever is necessary to assure that the rights of players are protected—including ceasing to be a union, if necessary, as it did in 1989. In 1993, the NFLPA again was officially recognized as the union representing the players, and negotiated a landmark Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFL. The current CBA will govern the sport through 2020.
About NFL Players Inc.
NFL Players Inc. is the licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association. NFLPI has been a trusted resource since 1994, delivering access to the influence, power and personal stories of NFL players. NFLPI is a “one-stop shop” for businesses seeking licensing rights, access to players through hospitality and events, marketing strategy and player procurement. For more information, please visit nflpa.com/players.
