Bulls Rank Top 25 in Merchandise Sales for 25th Season
Minor League Baseball released its Top 25 teams in licensed merchandise sales for 2016 Monday, and the Durham Bulls made the annual list for the 25th straight season. The Bulls are the industry's only team to make the list each year it's been released since the 1992 season, as the
Minor League Baseball released its Top 25 teams in licensed merchandise sales for 2016 Monday, and the Durham Bulls made the annual list for the 25th straight season. The Bulls are the industry's only team to make the list each year it's been released since the 1992 season, as the team generated a franchise record in merchandise sales in 2016.
"We're extremely proud of our staff for continuing to reach new heights when it comes to our merchandise sales," Bulls General Manager Mike Birling said. "Our brand and logo are iconic, and we continually find new ways to present them in fun and unique ways to our fans."
Last year, some of the team's biggest merchandise efforts came from its Bull City Blues product line, as well as its DURM Night apparel. 88 percent of the team's retail sales came from in-park purchases, while the Ballpark Corner Store also fulfilled orders from all 50 states and 11 foreign countries.
As an industry, Minor League Baseball saw a 5.06 percent increase in merchandise sales in 2016 compared to 2015, and the industry's $68.3 million in sales was the highest recorded total for one year since Minor League Baseball's licensing program began in 1992. The numbers are based on total licensed merchandise sales from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2016, and include the 160 teams in the domestic-based leagues that charge admission to their games.