RGIII Sets NFL Jersey Sales Record; Redskins Merchandise Up Over 250%

Redskins rookie QB Robert Griffin III's No. 10 jersey "has sold more than any other player's in a single season since the NFL started keeping track six years ago," according to Darren Rovell of ESPN.com. The metric is based on "sales of jerseys on the league's official Internet store, NFLshop.com." While the NFL will not provide specific sales numbers, it did say that Griffin "moved into the top spot by overtaking Brett Favre." Rovell noted what makes Griffin's accomplishment "even more impressive is that the NFL's fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31, meaning that he has the league's highest-selling jersey with 3½ months to spare." For December, Redskins merchandise sales on Fanatics.com is up 252% compared to the same dates last year, "the highest percentage increase among NFL teams this month." In addition, adidas PR Manager Michael Ehrlich said that the company "has sold out" of the line of socks it started producing for Griffin after signing him to an endorsement deal. The socks "sell at the premium price point of $20 per pair" (ESPN.com, 12/17).

NFLSHOP.COM TOP-SELLING JERSEYS DURING SINGLE SEASON
YEAR	PLAYER
'12	Redskins QB Robert Griffin III
'09	Vikings QB Brett Favre
'09	Jets QB Brett Favre
'12	Broncos QB Peyton Manning
'07	Cowboys QB Tony Romo

QUARTERBACK SNEAK: Griffin also passed Broncos QB Peyton Manning to claim the top spot on the NFL’s best-selling jersey list through the month of November. Manning falls to No. 2, followed by Packers QB Aaron Rodgers at No. 3 for all jerseys bought on NFLShop.com from April 1-Nov. 27. QBs make up seven of the top spots, with Giants WR Victor Cruz (No. 7), Steelers S Troy Polamalu (No. 9) and 49ers LB Patrick Willis (No. 10), rounding out the remaining places. Texans DE J.J. Watt (No. 17) and Ravens RB Ray Rice (No. 25) cracked into the top 25, while Raiders RB Darren McFadden and Eagles QB Michael Vick dropped off the list. The Super Bowl-champion Giants continue lead the top 10 for overall team merchandise sales, followed by the Steelers and Cowboys (THE DAILY).

TOP-SELLING PLAYER JERSEYS ON NFLSHOP.COM FROM APRIL 1-NOV. 27
RK	PLAYER	RK	PLAYER
1	Redskins QB Robert Griffin III	14	Panthers QB Cam Newton
2	Broncos QB Peyton Manning	15	Ravens LB Ray Lewis
3	Packers QB Aaron Rodgers	16	Cowboys LB DeMarcus Ware
4	Giants QB Eli Manning	17	Texans DE J.J. Watt
5	Patriots QB Tom Brady	18	Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch
6	Colts QB Andrew Luck	19	Bears LB Brian Urlacher
7	Giants WR Victor Cruz	20	Cowboys QB Tony Romo
8	Jets QB Tim Tebow	21	Cowboys TE Jason Witten
9	Steelers S Troy Polamalu	22	Lions WR Calvin Johnson
10	49ers LB Patrick Willis	23	49ers RB Frank Gore
11	Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski	24	Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul
12	Saints QB Drew Brees	25	Ravens RB Ray Rice
13	Packers LB Clay Matthews
TOP-SELLING TEAM MERCHANDISE ON NFLSHOP.COM FROM APRIL 1-NOV. 27
RK	TEAM	RK	TEAM
1	Giants	6	Patriots
2	Steelers	7	Packers
3	Cowboys	8	Bears
4	Broncos	9	Redskins
5	49ers	10	Ravens