Some of the best selling LSU merchandise this season has been items featuring QB Joe Burrow's No. 9LSUSHOP.net
LSU merchandise has been a "hot seller across Baton Rouge during the holidays," with strong sales "expected to carry" into early '20 with the CFP title game on Jan. 13, according to Timothy Boone of the Baton Rouge ADVOCATE. About 500 businesses are licensed with the school to "produce official products, ranging from T-shirts and caps to original artwork." LSU Dir of Trademark Licensing Brian Hommel said that LSU's 14-0 record has "contributed to an increased demand for purple and gold items," though the "exact size of that increase won't be known for a while." LSU for FY '19 generated $4.8M in "gross royalties from merchandise sales." By comparison, the last time LSU played in the college football championship game in '11, gross royalties topped $5.6M. The increased demand for LSU merchandise has "meant some items have been hard to find, such as replica jerseys" for QB Joe Burrow. LSU merchandise store Tiger Mania manager Melana Barton said that the "biggest sellers have been anything with Burrow's number 9 on it -- such as T-shirts or caps." Since taking over management of the store in '19, Barton said that sales have "increased 190% over the previous year because of LSU's historic season." Purple & Gold Sports Shop co-Owner Sara Sanders added the stores sales this year are "blowing away" business in previous years (Baton Rouge ADVOCATE, 1/1).
