The Detroit Lions have recently become good, which has resulted in a natural increase in popularity both within and outside of Detroit. That naturally leads to more merchandise being sold with the Lions’ logo on it, possibly with some connection to important players like jerseys, etc., that are purchased with their name on them or depicting their likeness. On Monday, the NFLPA announced its list of the top 50 NFL players in terms of gear sales from March 1, 2023 to February 29, 2024. The categories include, according to the release, “trading cards, men’s, women’s and youth game jerseys, T-shirts and hoodies, backpacks, wall decals, pennants, collectible figurines, matted and framed photos, bobbleheads, plush, drinkware, pet products, and many more” .
The ranking was determined by sales reported by over 85 NFLPA licensees like Fanatics, Outerstuff, Nike, Fathead, FOCO and Funko.
The top of the list is not surprising (Jalen Hurts-No. 1, Jason Kelce-No. 2, Patrick Mahomes-No. 3, Travis Kelce-No. 4), and the end of the list (Mac Jones-No. 50) is also surprising. Rounding out the top-10 is 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons
and Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
2. Detroit Lions make top-50 players in merchandise sales
Two Lions players made the top-50 list for merchandise sales-defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
It was surprising to see Hutchinson land in the top-20, at No. 18. St. Brown came in at No. 33, and as the 10th wide receiver on the list.
It’s worth remembering that this sales ranking is from before the Lions’ new uniforms were introduced in April. So next year’s list will undoubtedly show a substantial increase as a result of that novelty, with a few more Lions players (Jahmyr Gibbs?, Jameson Williams?, Sam LaPorta?, Penei Sewell?, Jared Goff?) entering the top-50 list due to jersey sales.
