Tom Brady led NFL in merchandise sales for 2021 season

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers failed to repeat as Super Bowl champions this past winter, but quarterback Tom Brady nevertheless found himself atop multiple categories after the campaign.

As noted by Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk, the NFL Players Association confirmed Brady topped the list for player merchandise sales from March 2021 through the end of this past February. Smith added that the data for such sales includes items such as jerseys, photos, shirts and basically anything else featuring a player's name, image or likeness. 

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Brady's adversary in Super Bowl LV, was second on the list, followed by Buffalo Bills signal-caller Josh Allen. Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals, one of the two starting quarterbacks in Super Bowl LVI, was fourth, and New England Patriots rookie Mac Jones interestingly came in at fifth, ahead of big names such as Dallas Cowboys star Dak Prescott (sixth) and San Francisco 49ers All-Pro tight end George Kittle (seventh). 

Per Smith, NFLPA-licensed retail sales for the last league year totaled $2.17 billion. 

It was learned on Wednesday that, barring a second retirement or some setback, Brady is on track to become the first NFL quarterback to start games in four different countries this November. The 44-year-old may be the favorite to again lead the league for player merchandise sales between now and the end of February 2023.