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SPORTS Thursday 4 May 2017

Zeke and Dak on top again _ in NFL player merchandising

The Associated Press ing the top spot for much
Here’s more proof that the of the measuring period.
2016 season was a superb He was followed by yet
one for rookies: Ezekiel Elliott another Cowboy, receiver
and Dak Prescott topped Bryant, and Giants wideout
NFL player merchandise Beckham Jr.
and products sales. Brady vinyl figures were the
The Dallas Cowboys run- most popular among those
ning back who led the items, and he also led in
league in rushing and the plush dolls, player-identi-
quarterback who was the fied kids T-shirts and jerseys.
Offensive Rookie of the Another rookie, Eagles
Year represent the first time quarterback Carson Wen-
two rookies led the list com- tz was seventh overall but
piled by the NFL Players As- tops in bobblehead sales.
sociation. NFL Players Inc., the mar-
The list is based on total keting arm of the union,
sales of officially licensed compiled the list, which
NFL player merchandise, is based on overall sales
tracking year-end re- of all NFL player licensed
sults from March 1, 2016, products via online and
through Feb. 28, 2017. traditional retail outlets as
“It’s pretty humbling,” Elliott reported by more than 80
said. “When you’re a rook- NFLPA licensees.
ie, you’re just looking to put Among the product cate-
your head down, help the gories are men’s, women’s In this Nov. 24, 2016, file photo, Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott (4) and Ezekiel Elliott (21) lead the
team and learn the ropes. and youth game jerseys team out of the tunnel during introductions before an NFL football game against the Washington
To accomplish this level of and T-shirts; wall decals; Redskins, in Arlington, Texas.
success off the field shows figurines; toys; matted and Associated Press
just how passionate foot- framed photos; vinyl col- both of their parts and the Bowl and Super Bowl MVP. I strong devotion of Ohio
ball fans are in Dallas, in lectibles; bobbleheads; parts of their fan base,” said kind of expected when we State fans to their players
Ohio, my home state of ugly sweaters; plush dolls; Steven Scebelo, vice presi- ran the numbers, he would when they head to the
Missouri, and all around the drinkware; socks; mobile dent, licensing and busi- be No. 1. So when it was pros.
world. And to be up there gaming; virtual goods; holi- ness development for NFL Zeke and Dak, that was just He also notes that, unlike in
with Dak and Dez (Bryant), day ornaments and nov- Players Inc. “I was surprised a testament to what they past decades when team
alongside great players like elties. NFL Players Inc. said because in the third (busi- were able to do on the allegiance was often a de-
Tom Brady and Odell Beck- licensees generated retail ness) quarter, Tom Brady field and their fan base did ciding factor, many con-
ham, is very special to me.” sales exceeding $1.6 billion was in first place, and af- off the field.” sumer decisions are driven
Super Bowl MVP Brady was during the year. ter that quarter closed he Scebelo credits some of by something else when it
third on the list after hold- “It is pretty impressive on went on to win the Super Elliott’s popularity to the comes to the NFL.q

Jones applauded at Fenway before Boston beat Baltimore

The Associated Press pitch to Machado went
BOSTON (AP) — Adam to the backstop. Emo-
Jones received extended tions have been elevated
applause from Fenway since Machado injured
Park fans a night after he Red Sox star Dustin Pedroia
was racially taunted, both on a slide April 21 at Balti-
teams were warned after more. Pedroia missed the
Boston ace Chris Sale threw next three games. Hanley
behind Manny Machado’s Ramirez homered twice,
legs in the first inning and Mookie Betts hit a two-run
the Red Sox went on to double and Sale struck
beat the Baltimore Orioles out 11 over eight innings.
5-2 Tuesday night. Macha- Sale (2-2) allowed two runs
do homered out of Fenway and three hits, and Craig
Park for the second straight Kimbrel got three straight
night. Before the game outs for his AL-leading ninth
Jones received an apol- save in 10 chances.Orioles
ogy from Red Sox president starter Alec Asher (1-1)
Sam Kennedy on behalf of gave up three runs and six
the club. Many fans stood hits in six inning.
during a lengthy round ASTROS 8, RANGERS 7
of applause in the first in- HOUSTON (AP) — Marwin
ning, and Sale stepped off Gonzalez hit two home
the mound to extend the runs, including a go-ahead
Baltimore Orioles’ Adam Jones warms up before a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, reception. But one bat- grand slam in the eighth
Tuesday, May 2, 2017, in Boston. ter later the game turned inning that rallied Houston
Associated Press testy when Sale’s first over Texas. q