Uncovering Merchandise Strategies for Your Program: A Breakdown of the NFL's Merch
The NFL sells 4 billion dollars worth of merchandise annually. Only about half of that comes from jerseys with names like Mahomes, Burrow, Hurts, Herbert on the back of them. The other half comes from team gear strategically marketed to get fans to keep buying more. They do this by utilizing trends. In this blog post, we'll explore the the foundations of the NFL’s.
Vintage Trend
In the ever-evolving world of NFL merchandise, there's one trend that continues to captivate fans of all ages: the vintage aesthetic. It's not just about revisiting classic logos and team colors; it's about embracing the timeless appeal of vintage fonts and designs that harken back to the past eras of the NFL. The allure of vintage fonts adds a touch of nostalgia and authenticity to your favorite team's gear. From old-school script fonts to retro block lettering, the vintage look is making a remarkable comeback, effortlessly blending the past with the present. Here are a couple you can easily implement for your program.
Limited Edition Releases
The NFL often releases limited-edition items, creating a sense of exclusivity and rarity. This strategy not only generates excitement but also encourages fans to be quick fearing that they might miss out on a unique item. For example the NFL currently has “Salute to Soldiers” merchandise campaign where they use camouflage to recognize our troops. These drops have unique designs that will not be released again.
| NFL What They Did | You What You Can Do | You What You Can Do |
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| Men's Nike Brown Chicago Bears 2023 Salute To Service Club Pullover Hoodie | Clubhouse Pro-Fit Mid Layer Camo Hoodie | Camo Hoodie (Independent Trading Co. - Midweight Hooded Sweatshirt - SS4500) |
| Design: 1-Color (Black) Screen Print | Design: 1-Color Black Logo, Sublimated Print | Design: 1-Color Black Screen Print |
| Sell Price: $99.99 | Sell Price: $61.71 | Sell Price: $30.52 |
Rope Hats
The NFL has an acute awareness of current clothing styles, they consistently adapt and connect with evolving fan tastes. From streetwear-inspired apparel to cutting-edge accessories, they capitalizes on trends, making their merchandise not just about sports but also about staying fashion-forward. Their ability to seamlessly incorporate fashion trends into their merchandise has helped them tremendously. The NFL puts their own spin on popular fashion trends, such as the rope hat. The rope hat trend originated at the 2018 U.S Open, blowing up since then the #ropehat has garnered 3.5 billion views on Tik Tok.
| NFL Example | NFL Example | Clubhouse Example | Clubhouse Example |
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| Product: '47 White Roscoe Hitch Adjustable Hat (View Here) | Product: '47 Navy Suburbia Hitch Adjustable Hat (View Here) | Product: OTTO CAP 5 Panel Mid Profile Mesh Back Trucker Hat | Product: Imperial The Barnes Cap - 5056 |
| Design: 3.5 Inch Embroidery | Design: 2 Inch Rubber Patch | Design: 3.5 Inch Embroidery | Design: 3 Inch Patch |
| Sell Price: $37.99 | Sell Price: $37.99 | Sell Price: $17 | Sell Price: $30.90 |