Tom Brady Led All NFL Players In Merchandise Sold In 2015-16 Season
By Michael Hurley, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- Everybody (not named Roger) loves Thomas.
That's the takeaway from the NFLPA's announcement that Tom Brady led all NFL players in merchandise sold in the 2015-16 season, which is defined as March 1, 2015 through Feb. 29, 2016.
Brady overtook Russell Wilson for the top spot, as fans had purchased more merchandise for the Seahawks quarterback over the second and third quarters of that year.
The merchandise includes more than just jersey sales, as the NFLPA stated the number is "based on overall sales of all licensed products from online and traditional retail outlets. ... Licensed product categories include men's, women's and youth game jerseys and t-shirts, wall decals, figurines, toys, matted and framed photos, ugly sweaters, bobbleheads, pins, drinkware, socks and electronic device accessories, among others."
There's no way to pinpoint it exactly, but considering Brady spent pretty much the entire year in the spotlight of the national news cycle, it's likely that his popularity received a bit of a boost from the never-ending DeflateGate saga.
Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski also finished in the top 10 of merchandise sales, while Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Dez Bryant and the aforementioned Wilson made out the top five.
In all, the NFLPA licensees generated more than $1.5 billion in retail sales on the year.
Here's a look at the top 50.
1. Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots
2. Peyton Manning, QB, Denver Broncos
3. Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks
4. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers
5. Dez Bryant, WR, Dallas Cowboys
6. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, New York Giants
7. Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers
8. Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England Patriots
9. J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans
10. Jason Witten, TE, Dallas Cowboys
11. Luke Kuechly, LB, Carolina Panthers
12. Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys
13. Colin Kaepernick, QB, San Francisco 49ers
14. Richard Sherman, DB, Seattle Seahawks
15. Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seattle Seahawks
16. Marcus Mariota, QB, Tennessee Titans
17. Antonio Brown, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
18. Clay Matthews, LB, Green Bay Packers
19. Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis Colts
20. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints
21. DeMarco Murray, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
22. Jimmy Graham, TE, Seattle Seahawks
23. Julian Edelman, WR, New England Patriots
24. Von Miller, LB, Denver Broncos
25. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Minnesota Vikings
26. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals
27. Jordy Nelson, WR, Green Bay Packers
28. Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions
29. Derek Carr, QB, Oakland Raiders
30. Jameis Winston, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
31. Amari Cooper, WR, Oakland Raiders
32. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
33. Le'Veon Bell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
34. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Miami Dolphins
35. Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants
36. A.J. Green, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
37. Demaryius Thomas, WR, Denver Broncos
38. Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears
39. Eddie Lacy, RB, Green Bay Packers
40. Kam Chancellor, SS, Seattle Seahawks
41. Joe Haden, DB, Cleveland Browns
42. Khalil Mack, LB, Oakland Raiders
43. Jarryd Hayne, RB, San Francisco 49ers
44. Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
45. Darrelle Revis, DB, New York Jets
46. Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers
47. Sammy Watkins, WR, Buffalo Bills
48. Greg Olsen, TE, Carolina Panthers
49. LeSean McCoy, RB, Buffalo Bills
50. Earl Thomas, DB, Seattle Seahawks
