Rubin Says Patriots' Licensed Merch Sales Outpacing Recent Years

NFL licensees and retailers have been bemoaning the lack of a Super Bowl LIII matchup that would drive sales. The Saints and Chiefs, who last won a Super Bowl in '70, were the preferred matchup for the licensing business. However, in an interview Friday morning, Fanatics Founder & Exec Chair Michael Rubin said Patriots licensed merchandise sales in the weeks leading up the Super Bowl were up 20-30%. “No one’s going to top the Eagles' championship sales from the last Super Bowl, but the Patriots keep building more fans,” Rubin said. "They are becoming a national team.” Fanatics earlier Friday noted it has seen a 40% increase in sales of Tom Brady merchandise from the AFC Championship game compared to '18.