WASHINGTON D.C., July 22, 2014 – Quarterback Johnny Manziel of the Cleveland Browns ranks No. 1 overall on the NFL Players Inc. (NFLPI) Top 50 Player Sales list for the first quarter – and with less than one month of actual sales recorded post-NFL Draft. In that span, Manziel surpassed Super Bowl XLVIII champion quarterback Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks in overall sales, which is based on total sales of all officially licensed products from March 1, 2014, through May 31, 2014.
Among the Top 10 retail stars are some of the best players on offense and defense. Joining Manziel and Wilson to round out the Top 10 are San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (#3), Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (#4), Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning(#5), Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (#6), Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (#7), Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (#8), New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (#9), and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (#10).
Additional highlights:
- Manziel joins three other rookies including Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (#12), Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (#40) and St. Louis Rams defensive end Michael Sam (#41) in the Top 50.
- Manziel outsold Wilson in Nike game jerseys.
- Three Seahawks – Wilson, Sherman and Lynch – led all players in Bobblehead sales.
- Bryant made the biggest leap from end of fiscal year to first fiscal quarter, jumping 22 spots from #30 to #8; Sherman improved eight spots, from #12 to #4.
- Five defensive players – Sherman (#4), Watt (#6), Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (#11), Clowney (#12) and 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis (#15) – rank among the top 15 players.
The list, released quarterly by NFLPI, the marketing and licensing arm of the NFLPA, is based on total overall sales of all licensed products from online and traditional retail outlets as reported by more than 70 NFLPI licensees such as Nike, VF Imagewear, Fanatics, Outerstuff, Fathead, McFarlane Toys, Oyo Sportstoys, Bleacher Creatures, Forever Collectibles and Photo File. Licensed product categories include men’s, women’s and youth game jerseys and t-shirts, player murals, figurines, matted and framed photos, bobbleheads, drinkware, jewelry, electronic device accessories, among others.
NFLPI Top 50 Player Sales Rankings (March 1-May 31, 2014):
- Johnny Manziel*, Cleveland Browns
- Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
- Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers
- Richard Sherman, Seattle Seahawks
- Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos
- J.J. Watt, Houston Texans
- Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks
- Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys
- Tom Brady, New England Patriots
- Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
- Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers
- Jadeveon Clowney*, Houston Texans
- Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
- Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
- Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers
- Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins
- LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles
- Eric Reid, San Francisco 49ers
- Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
- Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers
- Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
- Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs
- Cameron Wake, Miami Dolphins
- Eli Manning, New York Giants
- Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers
- Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos
- Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts
- Earl Thomas, Seattle Seahawks
- NaVorro Bowman, San Francisco 49ers
- Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears
- DeSean Jackson, Washington Redskins
- Jordan Cameron, Cleveland Browns
- Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers
- Wes Welker, Denver Broncos
- Sean Lee, Dallas Cowboys
- Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs
- Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles
- Victor Cruz, New York Giants
- Blake Bortles*, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Michael Sam*, St. Louis Rams
- Eddie Lacy, Green Bay Packers
- Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers
- Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers
- Percy Harvin, Seattle Seahawks
- Eric Decker, New York Jets
- Darrelle Revis, New England Patriots
- Geno Smith, New York Jets
- Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers
- Vincent Jackson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
*-Represents Sales from May 8-31, 2014
In conjunction with the top 50 player rankings, NFLPI announces new licensing agreements with the following companies:
- Beveridge Marketing – producing NFL player identified EyeBlack that incorporates name, jersey number and signature, as well as player co-branded products with former colleges and Pop Warner teams.
- Stylinity – producing the first social commerce catalog; NFL players will use Stylinity’s in-home ‘style stage” which is an online selfie photo studio that allows fans to view photos of players’ outfits, access product information, and shop online.
About NFL Players Inc.
NFL Players Inc. is the licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association. NFLPI has been a trusted resource since 1994, delivering access to the influence, power and personal stories of NFL players. NFLPI is a “one-stop shop” for businesses seeking licensing rights, access to players through hospitality and events, marketing strategy and player procurement. For more information, please visit nflplayers.com/players.
