Rookies Griner, Diggins, Delle Donne Drive Sales Of WNBA Jerseys, Merchandise
By Barry Janoff
July 26, 2013: The WNBA has put its focus behind three top rookies this season, and the “3 to See” have come through on the court, in marketing and in merchandise sales.
First-year players Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury, Skylar Diggins of the Tulsa Shock and Elena Delle Donne of the Chicago Sky ranked first, second, and third, respectively. on the WNBA’s top-selling jerseys list, based on national merchandise sales including WNBAStore.com, since the start of the 2013 regular season.
The WNBA also said that ticket sales, TV and related marketing has improved at each of the three teams.
Unfortunately for the league, Griner and Delle Donne will not play in the All-Star Game on Saturday due to injuries, and Diggins was not voted on to the team. The game, to be played in the Mohegan Sun Arena, home venue of the Connecticut Sun, will air on ABC.
The league's roster of partners all will activate in one form all another. WNBA marquee partner Boost Mobile gets its name on the All-Star Game jersey front. Adidas gets its logo on the upper right jersey front.
Maya Moore of the Minnesota Lynx, who has held the No. 1 jersey spot for the past two seasons, placed fourth, the Los Angeles Sparks’ Candace Parker ranked fifth and Griner's teammate on the Mercury, Diana Turasi (pictured), was sixth. All three are in the All-Star Game.
Diggins’ popularity also helped the Shock claim the No. 1 position for the first time for team merchandise sales.
The team merchandise for Griner's Mercury and Delle Donne's Sky placed second and third, respectively. The remaining top five teams are the Washington Mystics (No. 4) and the 2012 top-selling Indiana Fever (No. 5).
Adidas is in its seventh season as the official on-court uniform and apparel provider for the WNBA. Marketing partners in the WNBA's 17th season include marquee partner Boost Mobile, adidas, American Express, BBVA Compass, Anheuser-Busch (Budweiser), Coca-Cola, EA Sports, Gatorade, Jamba Juice, Nike, P&G's My Black is Beautiful, Sanofi, SAP, Spalding and State Farm.
TOP 10 MOST POPULAR PLAYER JERSEYS:
1. Brittney Griner – Phoenix Mercury
2. Skylar Diggins – Tulsa Shock
3. Elena Delle Donne – Chicago Sky
4. Maya Moore – Minnesota Lynx
5. Candace Parker – Los Angeles Sparks
6. Diana Taurasi – Phoenix Mercury
7. Seimone Augustus – Minnesota Lynx
8. Tamika Catchings – Indiana Fever
9. Nneka Ogwumlke – Los Angeles Sparks
10. Becky Hammon – San Antonio Silver Stars
TOP 5 MOST POPULAR TEAM MERCHANDISE:
1. Tulsa Shock
2. Chicago Sky
3. Phoenix Mercury
4. Washington Mystics
5. Indiana Fever
Source: WNBA