Renz
An Army of One
Kobe Bryant Again a Best-Selling 'Jersey' Guy
January 10, 2007
By Barry Janoff
NEW YORK -- Kobe Bryant’s return from marketing exile is complete, at least according to the NBA. The all-star player from the Los Angeles Lakers again has the most popular jersey in the NBA, based on jersey sales at the NBA Store in New York and at NBAStore.com from the start of the 2006-07 NBA season through Dec. 31, 2006.
Bryant, who had the most popular jersey during the 2002-03 season, regained the lead from the Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade, who held the top spot since May 2005. Wade is now second on the list with LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers third and Allen Iverson (who had been with the Philadelphia 76ers during the sales period, but is now with the Denver Nuggets) fourth. Bryant’s Lakers remained No. 1 on the league’s most popular team merchandise list for the fifth consecutive season, while the NBA champion Heat are second. Sales figures were not released.
The NBA Store had its strongest sales quarter in history in the fourth quarter of 2006 including the best November sales ever and the largest single sales month ever during December 2006, per the league. This season marks the first with adidas as the official on-court uniform and apparel provider for the NBA.
TOP 15 PLAYERS
1. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
2. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
3. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
4. Allen Iverson, Denver Nuggets
5. Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets
6. Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns
7. Vince Carter, New Jersey Nets
8. Gilbert Arenas, Washington Wizards
9. Shaquille O’Neal, Miami Heat
10. Stephon Marbury, New York Knicks
11. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
12. Tracy McGrady, Houston Rockets
13. Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics
14. Chris Paul, New Orleans/OK City Hornets
15. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
TOP 10 TEAMS
1. Los Angeles Lakers
2. Miami Heat
3. New York Knicks
4. Chicago Bulls
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
6. Boston Celtics
7. Denver Nuggets
8. Philadelphia 76ers
9. New Jersey Nets
10. San Antonio Spurs
http://www.brandweek.com/bw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003530624