Seahawks QB Russell Wilson finished No. 1 among all NFL players in FY '14 for overall sales of all licensed products from online and traditional retail outlets, as reported by more than 70 licensees for NFL Players Inc. The time frame for measured sales was from March 1, 2013 through February 28, 2014. NFLPI licensees generated retail sales exceeding $1B during the time period. Licensees included Nike, VF Imagewear, Fanatics, Outerstuff, Fathead, McFarlane Toys, Oyo Sportstoys, Bleacher Creatures, Forever Collectibles and Photo File. Other highlights include Steelers S Troy Polamalu cracking the top 20 for the third straight year. Texans DE J.J. Watt was the highest-ranked defensive player at No. 11. Meanwhile, NFLPI announced new licensing agreements with publishing company Athlitacomics, footwear accessories brand FBF Originals, mobile game From The Bench, Masterpieces Puzzle Company, headwear brand New Era and apparel company Original Retro Brand (NFLPI).
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NFL PLAYERS INC. TOP PLAYER LICENSED PRODUCT SALES DURING FY '14
|
|
RANK
|
PLAYER |
RANK
|
PLAYER |
|
1
|
Seahawks QB Russell Wilson |
16
|
49ers LB Patrick Willis |
|
2
|
Broncos QB Peyton Manning |
17
|
Steelers S Troy Polamalu |
|
3
|
49ers QB Colin Kaepernick |
18
|
Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski |
|
4
|
Redskins QB Robert Griffin III |
19
|
Texans RB Arian Foster |
|
5
|
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers |
20
|
Lions WR Calvin Johnson |
|
6
|
Patriots QB Tom Brady |
21
|
Giants WR Victor Cruz |
|
7
|
Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch |
22
|
Cowboys QB Tony Romo |
|
8
|
Giants QB Eli Manning |
23
|
Broncos WR Wes Welker |
|
9
|
Colts QB Andrew Luck |
24
|
Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill |
|
10
|
Saints QB Drew Brees |
25
|
Eagles RB LeSean McCoy |
|
11
|
Texans DE J.J. Watt |
26
|
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger |
|
12
|
Seahawks CB Richard Sherman |
27
|
Panthers QB Cam Newton |
|
13
|
Vikings RB Adrian Peterson |
28
|
Ravens RB Ray Rice |
|
14
|
Packers LB Clay Matthews |
29
|
Broncos LB DeMarcus Ware* |
|
15
|
Cowboys TE Jason Witten |
30
|
Cowboys WR Dez Bryant |
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE: * = Played last season with the Cowboys.
WILSON'S A WINNER: ESPN's Max Kellerman said of Wilson topping the merchandise sales list, passing Broncos QB Peyton Manning, "He won the Super Bowl. He's the guy everybody wants to be. He is on the cover of GQ and all of this stuff before he won the Super Bowl and he's one of the best quarterbacks in the world. Why would (him being No. 1) be surprising?" ESPN's Marcellus Wiley said, "Besides being a winner, he's the one that fans are closest to relating to. You think about Peyton Manning, no one can relate to that kind of talent. He's a third-round draft choice who actually went from nowhere to somewhere and became the Super Bowl champion quarterback, it's a 'Rocky' story" (
"SportsNation," ESPN2, 4/28).
