Last year was a record one for Minor League Baseball, recording than $60.3 million in licensed retail sales for all 160 teams, as MiLB also releases a list of the Top 25 teams in merchandise sales.
The $60.3 million total marks an 8.8 percent increase over 2013’s total of $55.4 million in retail sales, which had been the second-highest total recorded since Minor League Baseball’s licensing program began in 1992. The previous record was $60 million in sales, set in 1994. The totals include the 160 teams in the domestic-based leagues that charge admission to their games.
Alphabetically, here are the top 25 teams: Akron RubberDucks*, Albuquerque Isotopes, Birmingham Barons*, Carolina Mudcats, Charlotte Knights*, Columbus Clippers, Corpus Christi Hooks, Dayton Dragons*, Durham Bulls, El Paso Chihuahuas*, Fort Wayne TinCaps, Indianapolis Indians, Lake Elsinore Storm, Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Louisville Bats*, Portland Sea Dogs, Quad Cities River Bandits*, Reno Aces, Richmond Flying Squirrels, Rochester Red Wings*, Sacramento River Cats, Salt Lake Bees*, Toledo Mud Hens, Trenton Thunder and Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Teams new to the list are marked with an asterisk.
“The Top 25 list reflects the popularity of Minor League Baseball team names and logos across the country,” said Sandie Hebert, Director of Licensing for Minor League Baseball, via press release. “The fact that nine of the teams on this year’s list were not on the list last year shows that teams are keeping their logos creative, fresh and most of all, fun.”
Online sales have also played a significant role in the steady growth of merchandise sales, as Minor League Baseball experienced a 17.6 percent increase over 2013.
“Our consumers are taking advantage of the opportunity to buy Minor League Baseball merchandise online and at the ballpark,” said Hebert. “Our clubs reported online sales in all 50 states and several foreign countries, highlighting Minor League Baseball’s popularity across the country and abroad.”
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