Ezekiel Elliott, Dak Prescott led the way for NFL merchandising in 2016
The NFL Players’ Association has released its numbers citing top player merchandise sales for 2016, and here’s a surprise: the Dallas Cowboys ran the show.
The NFLPA tracks all player-related merchandise sales, from jerseys to bobbleheads to T-shirts to plush dolls. For the year running from March 1, 2016 to Feb. 28, 2017, the Cowboys’ powerhouse duo of Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott owned the top of the charts, with Dallas receiver Dez Bryant coming in fourth. Someone named “Tom Brady” was third, while Cowboys rival Odell Beckham Jr. claimed the fifth spot.
“It’s pretty humbling,” Elliott told the AP. “When you’re a rookie, you’re just looking to put your head down, help the team and learn the ropes. To accomplish this level of success off the field shows just how passionate football fans are in Dallas, in Ohio, my home state of Missouri, and all around the world. And to be up there with Dak and Dez, alongside great players like Tom Brady and Odell Beckham, is very special to me.”
It’s a testament to the power of the Blue Star, certainly; you give Cowboys fans even a shred of hope and they’ll sell half the back forty to start picking up Dallas merchandise. Elliott also carries the benefit of a highly supportive Ohio State fanbase.
The NFLPA said that licensees sold $1.6 billion worth of merchandise during the period. Officially licensed merchandise includes “men’s, women’s and youth game jerseys and T-shirts; wall decals; figurines; toys; matted and framed photos; vinyl collectibles; bobbleheads; ugly sweaters; plush dolls; drinkware; socks; mobile gaming; virtual goods; holiday ornaments and novelties.”
Brady held down the top spot most of the year, but the increasing success of Elliott and Prescott helped push them past him. NFLPA officials expect that next year ought to be much of the same, with the added benefit of a fan favorite in Marshawn Lynch returning to the field.
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Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports and the author of EARNHARDT NATION, on sale now at Amazon or wherever books are sold. Contact him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter or on Facebook.
