New England Patriots QB Tom Brady Leads NFL In Merchandise Sales

Despite being at the center of the “Deflategate” controversy, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is the undisputed leader in sales of NFL merchandise, according to a press release from the NFL Players Association.

Brady, for the first time in his long career, topped the list based on total sales of all officially licensed merchandise for NFL player sales from March 1 to May 31.

After defeating Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson in the last Super Bowl, Brady also beat his rival in the merchandise sales battle in this period. Wilson topped the players’ sales report in the final quarter of 2015 when Brady placed third, also according to the press release.

Other notes from the report include the domination of quarterbacks in the list with Colin Kaepernick (San Francisco 49ers), Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) and Peyton Manning (Denver Broncos) completing the Top 5.

Two more quarterbacks, rookies Marcus Mariotta (Tennessee Titans) and Jameis Winston (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) are in ninth and 10th place. Placing sixth to eighth are J.J. Watt (Houston Texans), Richard Sherman (Seahawks) and Odell Beckham Jr. (New York Giants).

“The list, released quarterly by NFL Players Inc., the marketing and licensing arm of the NFLPA, is based on overall sales of all licensed products from online and traditional retail outlets as reported by more than 80 NFLPA licensees such as Nike, VF Imagewear, Fanatics, Outerstuff, Fathead, McFarlane Toys, Oyo Sports, Bleacher Creatures, FBF Originals, Forever Collectibles, FanPrint and Photo File,” the report stated.

“Licensed product categories include men’s, women’s and youth game jerseys and t-shirts, player murals, figurines, matted and framed photos, bobbleheads, drinkware, socks, jewelry, electronic device accessories, among others.”

Brady is set to miss the first four games of the upcoming season owing to his involvement in the "Deflategate" controversy.