The NBA recent published the official ranking of its players that sell the most jerseys in Europe. Additionally, you get to know that
The NBA’s merchandising business in the region has doubled in the last five years to include over 60 partners distributing NBA products to more than 16,000 retail locations. International sales account for more than 25 percent of the league’s overall global merchandise business.
Looks like the business is rolling. So who are the most popular then? Well here is the list:
1. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
2. Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
3. Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers
4. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
5. Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs
6. Allen Iverson, Denver Nuggets
7. Andrea Bargnani, Toronto Raptors
8. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
9. Marco Belinelli, Golden State Warriors
10. Jose Calderon, Toronto Raptors
As you can see, five of the top 10 players come from Europe. And it seems that Paul Gasol fans are particularly very active. This may be the result, however, of his recent trade to the Lakers, with fans wanting the new jersey. What surprised me, though, is that Dirk Nowitzki is not among the first 10. The reason for this may be that Dirk has played for the Mavericks for years now and nearly every German or European Nowitzki fan already has his jersey. So Dirk, if you want to boost the sales of your gear, get traded…
Anyhow, how would this ranking look like if there would be one for Europe? As the merchandising here in Europe is far behind the US standards, such a ranking is of course impossible to establish. But the following is my guess 😉
1. Ramunas Siskauskas, Lithuanian NT
2. Sarunas Jasikevicius, Lithuanian NT
3. Arvydas Macijauskas, Lithuanian NT
4. Linas Kleiza, Lithuanian NT
5. Ramunas Siskauskas, CSKA Moscow
6. Sarunas Jasikevicius, Panathinaikos
7. Jonas Maciulis, Zalgiris Kaunas
8. Arturas Jomantas, Lietuvos Rytas
9. Robertas Javtokas, Lithuanian NT
10. Darjus Lavrinovic, Lithuanian NT
