Wednesday, October 7, 2026
  • -
    days
  • -
    hours
  • -
    minutes
  • -
    seconds

Zion Breaks Merch Records

David Griffin
Jun 21, 2019; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) poses with his jersey along with owner Gayle Benson and Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin and head coach Alivin Gentry during a press conference at the New Orleans Pelicans Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

*This piece first appeared in the Front Office Sports Newsletter. Subscribe today and get the news before anyone else.

The NBA season hasn’t even started yet and Zion Williamson is breaking records. 

According to the Fanatics, in the five days after being drafted by the Pelicans, Williamson sold more jerseys and T-shirts than all the first-round picks in the 2018 NBA Draft combined.

The dynamic Duke duo…

RJ Barrett, Williamson’s teammate at Duke, got in on the action as well. According to Fanatics, he has sold twice as much merchandise as Lonzo Ball, who had set the previous record for NBA Draft merch sales after becoming the Lakers’ No. 2 draft pick in 2017,

Together, the duo of Williamson and Barrett have combined to sell more jerseys and shirts than any other set of draftees in history.

A massive few weeks for Fanatics…

It’s good to be Michael Rubin and Fanatics. In the last few weeks alone, both of these things happened:

– The Raptors notched the second-highest-ever NBA championship sales, falling short of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. Of the Raptors orders, 81% of them came through mobile, the highest the company has ever seen. 

– It took only 12 hours for Blues fans celebrating the first Cup in the franchise’s 52-year history to shatter Fanatics’ previous sales record for Stanley Cup championship merchandise, set by the Washington Capitals in 2018.  

[mc4wp_form id=”8260″] 

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

LeBron’s Fanatics Deal Includes Helicopter Use

The helicopter has repeatedly gone between NYC and Philly.

How the Baseball Cap Became a ‘Behemoth’

The hat has become essential for athletes, fans, and the sports-agnostic.
Kylian Mbappe On

Mbappé Leaves Nike for On As Brand Launches Soccer Division

Thierry Henry joins as the company’s new director of football.
Landry Kiffin/Fifth Year

Lane Kiffin’s Daughter Seizes CFB Spotlight With Clothing Venture

“Having a family involved in college sports helps from a marketing perspective.”
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

A Conversation with Draymond Green on “New Media”

0:00

Featured Today

Cubs behind the scenes

Hollywood and TikTok: Sports Media’s New ‘Blueprint’

Teams and leagues are pouring money into the quest for fans.
Morishita-Sato-homerun-celebration-at-Meiji-Jingu-Baseball-Staidum-2025
September 28, 2026

Japanese Baseball Is Fighting Back Against MLB Talent Drain

Nippon Professional Baseball is reimagining how to be a global juggernaut.
Aug 9, 2026; Bedminster, New Jersey, USA; President Donald Trump walks out of the clubhouse during the final round of the LIV Golf New York tournament at Trump National Bedminster.
September 25, 2026

Trump’s Year of Sports Gets Busier With CFB, Presidents Cup

The impact of Trump’s attendance varies across each sporting event.
A Bar of Their Own
September 25, 2026

Women’s Sports Bars: Novelty Has Worn Off, ‘That’s a Good Thing’

They’re leveling up, but sustainability remains the first consideration.
Hot & Social/Mets
September 18, 2026

Sports Teams Are Playing a New Role: Matchmaker

The latest promotion at the stadium? Love.
Good Good Golf

Good Good Golf: Business As Usual After Ad Fallout

The YouTube native brand is back to its core business: posting online.
October 1, 2026

Nike Revenue Down As Company Signals Workforce Reduction

The company expressed confidence in its continued turnaround.
A shopper walks past a Nike store, as global markets brace for a hit to trade and growth caused by U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to impose import tariffs on dozens of countries, in the King of Prussia Mall in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, U.S., April 3, 2025.
October 2, 2026

Nike Revamps Strategy Again Amid Neverending Turnaround

Analysts say it could take years for Nike to regain its footing.
Sponsored

Beyond the Scorecard: How Dow Is Putting Purpose at the Center of Women’s Golf

Discover how Dow and the LPGA are building a partnership with lasting impact.
Shoppers walk past a Nike store in the King of Prussia Mall, as global markets brace for a hit to trade and growth caused by U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to impose import tariffs on dozens of countries, in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, U.S., April 3, 2025.
September 9, 2026

What Nike’s ‘Embarrassing’ S&P 100 Exit Really Means

Nike’s turnaround is going slower than expected.
Exclusive
August 31, 2026

Callaway Content Head, Good Good Marketing VP Out After Ad Fallout

Neither Callaway’s nor Good Good’s CEO saw the ad before publishing.
Adam Svensson balances a golf ball on his club while waiting to tee off from the 17th tee during the third round of the Honda Classic at PGA National Resort & Spa on Saturday, February 25, 2023, in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.
First at FOS
August 28, 2026

Good Good CEO Says He Didn’t See Controversial Ad Before it Aired

Good Good says it has parted with those responsible for the ad.
First at FOS
August 27, 2026

Good Good Golf Pulls Out of PGA Tour Sponsorship

The Austin event was to be called the Good Good Championship.