Los Angeles Sparks rookie Candace Parker tops the WNBAs list of most popular player jerseys, based on sales at the NBA Store and WNBAStore.com during the 2008 WNBA regular season. Parkers jersey sold more than any other rookie jersey in the history of the WNBA. The Sparks top this seasons list of most popular WNBA team merchandise.
Seven players and four teams that competed in this years WNBA Playoffs appear on the lists. Parker and her teammate Lisa Leslie (No.2) led their team to the Western Conference Finals, while the New York Libertys Janel McCarville (No.4), Essence Carson (No. 5) and Shameka Christon (No. 7) led their team to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Indiana Fevers Tamika Catchings (No.8) competed in the WNBAs Conference Semifinals. San Antonio Silvers Stars Becky Hammon (No. 3) is currently competing in the WNBA Finals against the Detroit Shock.
Below are the full lists of the 2008 WNBA Most Popular Player Jerseys and Most Popular Team Merchandise:
TOP 10 MOST POPULAR PLAYER JERSEYS:
1. Candace Parker-Los Angeles Sparks
2. Lisa Leslie-Los Angeles Sparks
3. Becky Hammon-San Antonio Silver Stars
4. Janel McCarville-New York Liberty
5. Essence Carson-New York Liberty
6. Diana Taurasi-Phoenix Mercury
7. Shameka Christon-New York Liberty
8. Tamika Catchings-Indiana Fever
9. Candice Wiggins-Minnesota Linx
10. Tina Thompson-Houston Comets
TOP 5 MOST POPULAR TEAM MERCHANDISE:
1. Los Angeles Sparks
2. New York Liberty
3. San Antonio Silver Stars
4. Phoenix Mercury
5. Seattle Storm
Sales of WNBA merchandise were up more than 36% versus last season, including a 46% increase in jersey sales, based on combined sales from the NBA Store and WNBAStore.com. The NBA Store had its best year ever with sales up 25% versus last year.
