New Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is leading New York Jets QB Tim Tebow in early sales of the newly designed NFL team jerseys from Nike that hit stores this week.
The move of the former Indianapolis Colts QB to Mile High Stadium is making Manning's jersey the best-selling player jersey at NFLShop.com since the high-tech new jerseys became available for pre-order April 15, says league spokeswoman Joanna Hunter. Manning did not rank in the Top 10 best-selling player jerseys last season.
Tebow's new Jets jersey ranks No. 2. Fresh off his second Super Bowl championship, New York Giants QB Eli Manning is No. 3. Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher is No. 4 and New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees is No. 5.
PHOTO GALLERY: New Nike NFL jerseys
Tom Brady of the New England Patriots is right behind Brees at No. 6. Patrick Willis of the San Francisco 49ers ranks No. 7. The Giants' breakout wide receiving star Victor Cruz ranks No. 8, Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton is No. 9 and Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul makes his first appearance in the Top 10 at No. 10.
The Swoosh is taking over from Reebok as the NFL's official outfitter. The lineup of lighter, sleeker "Nike Elite 51" jerseys for all 32 NFL clubs officially go on sale at midnight Thursday, coinciding with the kickoff of NFL Draft Weekend.
Nike's replica jerseys will cost $100. The limited jersey, which incorporates Flywire technology and strategic ventilation areas, will be $135. An elite version, which features water-repelling fabric, will sell for $250. All three will allow freer movement, Nike says. Fans can also buy new team-themed T-shirts and hoodies from Nike and caps from New Era for prices ranging from $24.99 to $54.99.
The vagaries of free agency, trades and winning and losing keep the list of best-selling jerseys in flux.
After beating the Patriots in two Super Bowls over the last five seasons, the Giants have three players on the new Top 10 list; the Patriots have one. Fresh off his Super Bowl victory, Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers boasted the league's best-selling jersey last season, ahead of Tebow. So far, he's not even in the new Top 10.
Here's a look at the NFL Top 10 player jerseys last season for the period running from April 1, 2011, to February 29, 2012, according to Hunter:
1) Rodgers, Packers; 2) Tebow, Broncos; 3) Manning, Giants; 4) Brady, Patriots; 5) Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers; 6) Cruz, Giants; 7) Brees, Saints; 8) Clay Matthews, Packers; 9) Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles; 10) Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys.
Reid Cherner has been with USA TODAY since 1982 and written Game On! since March 2008.
He has covered everything from high schools to horse racing to the college and the pros. The only thing he likes more than his own voice is the sound of readers telling him when he's right and wrong.
Michael Hiestand has covered sports media and marketing for USA TODAY, tackling the sports biz ranging from what's behind mega-events such as the Olympics and Super Bowl to the sometimes-hidden numbers behind the sports world's bottom line.