Minor League Baseball (MiLB), St. Petersburg. Fla., announced that its 160 teams set a Minor League Baseball record with more than $60.3 million in retail sales.
The number is an 8.8% increase over last year’s $55.4 million generated in retail. Online sales, which have increased 17.6% since 2013, have significantly boosted merchandise sales.
“Our consumers are taking advantage of the opportunity to buy Minor League Baseball merchandise online and at the ballpark,” says Sandie Hebert, director of licensing for MiLB. “Our clubs reported online sales in all 50 states and several foreign countries, highlighting Minor League Baseball’s popularity across the country and abroad.”
The league also released its Top 25 list in sales, which includes teams such as the Birmingham Barons, the Columbus Clippers, the El Paso Chihuahuas, the Louisville Bats, the Salt Lake Bees and more. Nine of the teams on the list were not on last year’s list.
“The Top 25 list reflects the popularity of Minor League Baseball team names and logos across the country,” Herbert says. “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.”
For more information, visit milbstore.com. — J.B.