One day after the NFL announced Browns QB Johnny Manziel has the league's top-selling jersey on NFLShop.com, NFL Players Inc. has Manziel atop its player sales list for Q1. The list is based on total sales of all officially licensed products from March 1 through May 31. The achievement is noteworthy since Manziel was not drafted until May 8, meaning his sales all came during a three-week period (NFLPA). In Akron, Nate Ulrich noted the sales list "includes Nike T-shirts and Fathead wall decals sold online and by traditional retail outlets." Also included are "jerseys, player murals, figurines, matted and framed photos, bobbleheads, drinkware, jewelry and electronic device accessories" (OHIO.com, 7/22). USA TODAY's Lindsay Jones noted the list "further shows just how ... strong Manziel's brand already is." There are "five Manziel-specific T-shirt designs available through Nike ... and a variety [of] others through licensed dealers that show Manziel making his signature money hand gesture while wearing his Browns uniform" (USATODAY.com, 7/22).
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NFL PLAYERS INC.: TOP PLAYERS FOR SALES OF LICENSED PRODUCTS, MARCH 1-MAY 31
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RANK
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PLAYER |
RANK
|
PLAYER |
|
1
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Browns QB Johnny Manziel |
11
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Packers LB Clay Matthews |
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2
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Seahawks QB Russell Wilson |
12
|
Texans DE Jadeveon Clowney |
|
3
|
49ers QB Colin Kaepernick |
13
|
Cowboys TE Jason Witten |
|
4
|
Seahawks CB Richard Sherman |
14
|
Saints QB Drew Brees |
|
5
|
Broncos QB Peyton Manning |
15
|
49ers LB Patrick Willis |
|
6
|
Texans DE J.J. Watt |
16
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Buccaneers RB Doug Martin |
|
7
|
Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch |
17
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Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill |
|
8
|
Cowboys WR Dez Bryant |
18
|
Eagles RB LeSean McCoy |
|
9
|
Patriots QB Tom Brady |
19
|
49ers S Eric Reid |
|
10
|
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers |
20
|
Cowboys QB Tony Romo |
|
|
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YEARLY TREND: NFL Network's Dan Hellie noted Manziel having the league's top-selling jersey is a continuation of a theme that has developed the last couple of years -- the "most popular rookie quarterback from draft time to when training camp starts has the No. 1 selling jersey." NFL Network's Warren Sapp said, "It gets everybody excited, you go buy the jersey" (
"NFL Total Access," NFL Network, 7/22). ESPN's Max Kellerman said Manziel having the No. 1-selling jersey will pressure the Browns to start him this season because "money matters." Kellerman: "Jersey sales puts pressure on the owner of the team, who obviously is in the business of making a profit, to start Johnny Manziel. Even if the GM, even if the coach say it's all about football, that pressure from on high will start to roll downhill and effect decisions." ESPN's Michelle Beadle said, "I don’t know if I believe that ... because at the end of the day, they've already bought the jerseys. What are they going to do, return them? You're making the money regardless." Kellerman: "They can stop buying them" (
"SportsNation," ESPN2, 7/22).
