On March 16, the Women’s National Football Conference (WNFC) announced the top-selling team and player replica jerseys purchased by fans. The Texas Elite Spartans had three players in the top ten, a good indicator of the popularity of the two-time IX Cup Champions ahead of the upcoming third season.
The top-selling jersey for the Elite Spartans was Liz Landry, who plays wide receiver and defensive back. Landry led the Spartans in receiving yards (377), receiving touchdowns (7), and receptions (22) in 2021. Landry also impacted special teams, with three kick-off returns, one for a touchdown, and nine punt returns, with two going for scores. Her jersey was the No.7 best-selling option.
Quarterback Brittany Bushman came in at No. 8 for highest sales, the second-highest among Texas Elite Spartans players. Bushman led the WNFC in yards thrown with 1,180 yards and completions with 67. She also led for passing touchdowns, hitting 18 scores with only three interceptions. Her 120.7 season rating led all WNFC quarterbacks.
Rosan Gore rounded out the top ten. Gore missed all of last season after suffering a torn shoulder, but remains one of the most popular and energizing players in the league and is looking to rebound this season with the Texas Elite Spartans.
The top-selling jersey went to Philadelphia Phantomz Star Wright. Wright is listed as a running back, but she contributes all over the field, including as the founder and president of the team based in her hometown of North Philadelphia. Wright is also popular off the field as an activist and philanthropist, along with being part of the 2017 Team USA Gold Medal-winning Women’s World Championship game.
The No.2 highest-selling jersey was Hayley Tagaloa-Smith, who plays with the Mississippi Lady Panthers. The Panthers won four of the last six games last season to make the playoffs before losing to the Texas Elite Spartans.
The newest team to join the WNFC, the Los Angeles Legends, had two of the top-ten sales, proving that there is plenty of appetite for football in LA even after watching the Rams win Super Bowl LVI. Laura Marracini took the No.3 spot, while Dayanna Rangel was the No.5 highest-selling option.
Despite posting a disappointing 1-5 record last season, the No.4 and No.9 best-selling jerseys were those of the Houston Heat’s Elise Noriega and Amanda Galvan, giving Texas teams five of the top-ten jerseys.
In terms of total jersey sales, the Elite Spartans took the top spot, which was to be expected after the team completed two undefeated seasons in a row and has held the IX Cup since its inception.
The second highest-selling jersey sales overall were for the San Diego Rebellion, who ended the 2021 season with a loss to the Elite Spartans in the IX Cup. The Rebellion was one of only two teams to score points on the Spartans in 2021.
The WNFC returns for its third season on April 2, with all games available on Vyre Network. The league will play an eight-week schedule this season, with two bye weeks for each team.
The Texas Elite Spartans open on the road against the Kansas City Glory, with the first home game coming the following week against Houston.