Tom Brady's Merchandise Sales Have Doubled Since His Suspension Was Handed Down
Time – Some football fans and players think that the NFL’s handing out a four-game suspension to Tom Brady over Deflategate was fully warranted. Many others, however, have reacted to the judgment with a sense of shock and unfairness (the evidence against Brady is thin), even outrage. Still others think the decision demonstrates how warped the NFL is, in light of how softly and haphazardly the league has cracked down on players accused of abusing women.
When the Wells report was first released and Tom Brady was essentially portrayed as villain who must have at least been “generally aware” of improprieties involving the deflating of footballs for a playoff game, the consensus was that Brady’s “legacy” would be a little tainted. He’d likely be suspended, or at least face a fine. Some predicted that Brady jersey sales would plummet too.
One day after the NFL suspended Brady, however, it looks like the effect on Brady merchandise sales is just the opposite. The sports apparel specialist Fanatics.com is reporting that since Monday, when the suspension was announced, Brady gear sales are up 100%.
As of Tuesday, the site’s top-selling NFL jerseys belong to Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston, the #2 and #1 pick, respectively, in the most recent NFL draft. Holding the site’s #3 spot is 37-year-old, four-time Super Bowl champion New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Prior to the suspension, Brady had the sixth-most gear sales on the site.
Apparently, it isn’t simply fans in New England who are scooping up Brady gear after the suspension. Fanatics.com says that fans in 22 states have purchased Brady merchandise over the past day, with Massachusetts, Florida, California, Washington, and Michigan recording the most sales.
How about that? Even when things seem like they’re potentially at a low point for Tom, they still work out his way. As someone who’s not a Patriots fan but obviously sees everything going on with reactions to the situation through Barstool, you really have to respect how much Pats fans have come out to support their guy. Social media avatars, record merchandise sales that only pale to guys who just got in the league as top picks, literal hours and hours of prison sodomy. Just everything Pats fans can do to support their guys. Having just won the Super Bowl definitely helps with the pink hats but that kind of unwavering commitment by a fanbase is damn impressive.
“Did somebody say ‘doubled Tom Brady merchandise sales?'”
