After winning Super Bowl XLV, Packers QB Aaron Rodgers and LB Clay Matthews had the top two-selling jerseys on NFLShop.com from April 1-Aug. 30. Rodgers, who owned the No. 2 best-selling jersey as of March, claims the top spot for the first time in his career. Steelers S Troy Polamalu dropped from first to third. Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger saw the biggest jump among players in the top 20 in the previous rankings, moving from No. 16 to No. 5. Broncos QB Tim Tebow, on the other hand, dropped five spots, landing at No. 10 on the most recent list. The Steelers jumped the Packers to lead all teams in jersey sales, just ahead of the defending Super Bowl champions and the Cowboys (THE DAILY).

RK	PLAYER	RK	PLAYER
1	Packers QB Aaron Rodgers	14	Steelers WR Mike Wallace
2	Packers LB Clay Matthews	15	Jets QB Mark Sanchez
3	Steelers S Troy Polamalu	16	Cowboys QB Tony Romo
4	Eagles QB Michael Vick	17	Steelers LB James Harrison
5	Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger	18	Rams QB Sam Bradford
6	Patriots QB Tom Brady	19	Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall
7	Saints QB Drew Brees	20	Bears WR Devin Hester
8	Steelers WR Hines Ward	21	Patriots WR Wes Welker
9	Colts QB Peyton Manning	22	Patriots RB Danny Woodhead
10	Broncos QB Tim Tebow	23	Packers WR Donald Driver
11	Bears LB Brian Urlacher	24	Falcons QB Matt Ryan
12	Packers S Charles Woodson	25	Packers WR Greg Jennings
13	Eagles WR DeSean Jackson
RK	TEAM	RK	TEAM
1	Steelers	6	Patriots
2	Packers	7	Giants
3	Cowboys	8	Bears
4	Saints	9	Jets
5	Eagles	10	Ravens

 

Print | Tags: Marketing and Sponsorship, NFL

SI.com's Courtney Nguyen writes, "Now that all 256 players have debuted their new kits, I officially declare this year’s U.S. Open a complete fashion dud, veering on disaster." Nguyen continues, "I knew something was wrong the minute Maria Sharapova stepped out on court in an ill-fitting lavender-grey Nike frock that was, and I will say it again and with emphasis, ill-fitting." Ngyuen goes on to ask Nike, "What’s with the 'old man sock' look you’ve forced on Roger and Rafa?" Lastly, Nguyen wonders if it is "that difficult for Adidas to make alternate colorways?" Nguyen: "I’ve watched so many matches this week where the players have taken the court in the same exact kit" (SI.com, 9/1).

Moet & Chandon is a new sponsor at this year's U.S. Open

CHAMPAGNE TOAST: CNBC's Sue Herera notes Moet & Chandon is "looking to make a splash" as a new sponsor of this year's U.S. Open. CNBC's Darren Rovell said the tournament "targets the high-end consumer, so it comes as no surprise that a champagne brand is here" as a sponsor. Moet & Chandon U.S. VP Ludovic du Plessis: "It's a perfect match, the U.S. Open, Moet & Chandon. It's all about fun, celebration, success, winning tournaments." He added that the sponsorship has been a "grand slam" so far and that in the first night, they "actually sold out of bottles of champagne" ("Power Lunch," CNBC, 8/31).

RAISING A RACKET OVER RACKETS: The WALL STREET JOURNAL'S Tom Perrotta writes tennis players can be "total divas about their rackets," and even "tennis experts say the tweaking is getting out of control." Recent advances in racket technology allow players to "tinker with an increasingly preposterous list of variables, including width, length, balance, handle dimensions, string combinations and patterns, and variations in the placement of thread holes." They even "get worked up about something as simple as paint." Racket stringers said that "some pros prefer a glossy finish to a matte finish because it makes the racket look like it's moving faster" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 9/1).

Print | Tags: Marketing and Sponsorship, U.S. Open