Sixers, Bucks Trust The Process For Success In NBA Jersey, Merchandise Sales
By Barry Janoff
April 17, 2018: If you “Trust the Process,” then you are not surprised that the Philadelphia 76ers have two players among the Top Ten most popular jerseys for the 2017-18 season and why the Sixers are No. 3 in the NBA among most popular team merchandise, behind only the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers.
In the playoffs for the first time since 2011-12 — and with 52 wins, the most for the team since 2000-01 (56) — this is the Sixers highest ranking since the team finished No. 3 back in 2002-03, when the roster included Allen Iverson, Derrick Coleman, Eric Snow and Kenny Thomas.
Joel Embiid had the No. 8 best-selling jersey, teammate Ben Simmons (in his second season but considered a rookie because he sat out 2016-17 due to an injury) came in at No. 10.
Lists are based on NBAStore.com sales since the beginning of the 2017-18 NBA season. Financial details were not released.
The Milwaukee Bucks have trusted their own process.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s No. 4 spot on the NBA’s most popular jersey list is the highest by a member of the Bucks to finish a season, and is four spots higher than his No. 8 ranking to finish the 2016-17 season.
According to the Bucks, Antetokounmpo entered the Top 15 of NBA jersey sales in December of 2016, marking the first time a Bucks player was in the Top 15 of jersey sales since Gary Payton ranked No. 15 in December 2003.
Overall, Bucks team merchandise moved up two spots to No. 6 after finishing the 2016-17 season ranked eighth.
Overall, some things have not changed.
Stephen Curry of the Warriors had the No. 1 selling jersey for the third consecutive season and the Warriors topped the list of most popular team merchandise, also for the third consecutive regular season.
LeBron James of the Cavaliers was No. 2 among jersey sales.
One major difference this season: Nike is in its first year of an eight-year deal, valued at $1 billion, as the official on-court jersey provider for the NBA.
The switch (from adidas) came with significant changes, including the Nike “Swoosh’ and jersey ad patches, as well as the NBA eliminating its traditional "home" and "road" uniform designations and replacing them with four jersey editions: the Association, Icon, Statement and City.
The Warriors have a three-year $60 million jersey patch deal with Rakuten.
The Cavaliers have a three-year $30 million deal with Goodyear.
The Sixers have a three-year deal with StubHub.
Curry’s teammates join him among the Top 15 best-selling jerseys: No. 3. Kevin Durant and No. 14. Klay Thompson.
In his first season with the Boston Celtics, Kyrie Irving had the No. 5. Kyrie Irving, and in his first season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Jimmy Butler’s jersey was No. 15.
Aside from Simmons, the only other rookie among the Top 15 best-selling jerseys was Lonzo Ball of the Los Angeles Lakers at No. 12.
Top 15 Most Popular NBA Jerseys:
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
2. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
3. Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
5. Kyrie Irving, Boston Celtics
6. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
7. Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks
8. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
9. James Harden, Houston Rockets
10. Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers
11. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
12. Lonzo Ball, Los Angeles Lakers
13. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
14. Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors
15. Jimmy Butler, Minnesota Timberwolves
Top 10 Most Popular Team Merchandise:
1. Golden State Warriors
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
3. Philadelphia 76ers
4. Los Angeles Lakers
5. Boston Celtics
6. Milwaukee Bucks
7. Oklahoma City Thunder
8. New York Knicks
9. Chicago Bulls
10. Houston Rockets
Source: NBA
Back to Home Page