The latest jersey sales reveal that Colin Kaepernick has one of the NFL’s best-selling jerseys. Would you ever buy one?
The latest results are in from the NFLPA giving totals for the top 50 jersey sellers in the league and there’s a major surprise at No. 39: Colin Kaepernick.
Exclusively on @gmfb -- Colin Kaepernick comes in at 39th on the @NFLPA official merchandise top 50 list. Only player not on a team.
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) August 1, 2017
Kaepernick being listed in the top 50 is very surprising for a few reasons. First of all, Kaepernick simply hasn’t been a very good or exciting football player in quite some time—on the field, at least. It’s one thing to agree (or disagree) with his political or cultural stances, but the reality is that most jerseys are sold because that player is exciting to watch. That’s not at all the case for Kaepernick at this stage; it’s simply all about what’s happening off the field. That’s an compelling sales story.
Second, as Peter Schrager mentions, Kaepernick doesn’t even have a team at this point. There’s no single fan base who should be feeling all-in, so to speak, about the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback. It means there’s a serious amount of general fans who are interested in who Kaepernick is and what he’s saying and doing in society—enough to buy a jersey they know will be rendered old when or if the quarterback ever signs with another team.
Third, the timing is funny. Kaepernick watch might seem hot now, wondering if he’ll sign with the Baltimore Ravens or another team, but even more eyes were on him in the past when he first knelt during the anthem. Kaepernick has been unemployed for some time. It feels like an interesting time for Kaepernick to suddenly find such strong fan approval.
Then again, as many fans are buying his jersey, there will be those on the other side using their voice to decry his future signing (if it happens), and who certainly would never purchase a jersey.
Last week, Chiefs team owner Clark Hunt said he would be fine with bringing in Kaepernick to the Chiefs if that’s what his front office and head coach wanted. “In terms of a player like Colin, I would have no hesitation bringing him into the organization,” said Hunt.
What do you think? Would a Kaepernick jersey ever interest you? Do you see the draw? We’d love to hear you sound off in the comments.