Broncos QB Peyton Manning tops the early-sales list of the "newly designed NFL team jerseys from Nike that hit stores this week,” according to Michael McCarthy of USA TODAY. NFL Corporate Communications Manager Joanna Hunter said that Manning’s jersey is “the best-selling player jersey at NFLShop.com since the high-tech jerseys became available for pre-order April 15.” Jets QB Tim Tebow, who was traded by the Broncos to make room for Manning, ranks second. Manning "did not rank in the top 10 last season," which he missed while recovering from neck surgery. Jerseys for all 32 teams “officially go on sale today” (USA TODAY, 4/26).
| TOP-SELLING NFL SERSEYS SINCE APRIL 15 |
| RANK | PLAYER | RANK | PLAYER |
| 1 | Broncos Peyton Manning | 6 | Patriots QB Tom Brady |
| 2 | Jets QB Tim Tebow | 7 | 49ers LB Patrick Willis |
| 3 | Giants QB Eli Manning | 8 | Giants WR Victor Cruz |
| 4 | Bears LB Brian Urlacher | 9 | Panthers QB Cam Newton |
| 5 | Saints QB Drew Brees | 10 | Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul |
SHOPPING SPREE: The WALL STREET JOURNAL’s Jason Gay yesterday visited the NFL's "pop-up" retail store on Sixth Avenue in N.Y. and writes it is "worth a visit.” Among the “well-stocked, masculine aisles, the NFL is not an enterprise confronted by soul-rattling problems, but a beloved pastime, warmly adored by fans with high credit limits.” Fans can find items ranging from a Vineyard Vines Eagles classic tote bag for $95 to a Dolphins umbrella for $20. There is also “a section of spiffy athletic apparel" from Under Armour, with one T-shirt reading, “I WILL MAIM YOUR GAME.” Gay writes, “Here we are, the week of one of the NFL's biggest public showcases -- a moment when the league finds itself amid troubling questions about player safety and the behavior of one of its recent Super Bowl champions -- and inside the league's own attention-seeking fan boutique, there's a T-shirt for sale with the word ‘maim’ on it.” Gay: “I suspect if NFL commissioner Roger Goodell finds out this shirt is for sale he's going to spike a stapler in his office” (
WALL STREET JOURNAL, 4/26).
