Huskies-related gear is the top-selling college merchandise well beyond New England
The Dallas Cowboys long have been known as “America’s Team.”
Maybe it is time for the UConn Huskies to claim the name.
The NIL Store, which markets player-related merchandise for NCAA athletes, shared a map Monday showing the top-selling college in each state, based on sales over the past 12 months. And UConn was by far the winner in the state count.
How many states? Fifteen across the country.
Which states love UConn?
It’s a diverse group to be sure.
The New England states, of course, favor UConn gear. That’s Connecticut, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Heading south along the East Coast, add New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Virginia.
That’s nine.
The remaining six states include some surprises: Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas.
Texas, with all of its big-time colleges, is a shocker. A review of the Texas Longhorns’ NIL store, however, shows very few items available by comparison to UConn items. But how about Texas Tech, Texas A&M, TCU, SMU, Baylor, Houston?
What UConn merchandise is available?
Plenty.
And from a variety of sports and stars.
UConn track and field shirts bearing the name of standout Medwin Odamtten.
Jerseys, T-shirts, caps and hoodies with No. 21, the number of reigning women’s basketball player of the year Sarah Strong.
And merchandise from sports across the UConn spectrum: baseball, football, hockey, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, softball, and swim and dive – in addition to basketball and track and field.
On the NIL Store’s list of top-selling programs for August, West Virginia football and Missouri State football, the latter which moved to FBS in 2025, were 1-2.
Third on the list? Despite being way out of season, it was UConn women’s basketball.
A repeat of the 2025-26 season?
In February, the NIL Store issued a list of what was the current top-selling merchandise – all sports, all genders.
UConn had two players on the list: Strong, at No. 5, and Azzi Fudd, No. 1.
It wouldn’t be a shock at all to see Strong on that list again next February, joined by teammates. And it’s a good bet at least one of the UConn men – Braylon Mullins? Na’jai Hines? – will wind up there.
About the NIL Store
The NIL Store was conceived at the University of Illinois and made $100,000 for the 2021-22 men’s basketball team. With an investment from billionaire Mark Cuban, the store expanded, according to the store’s website.
It is where fans can find products – jerseys, T-shirts and more – bearing the name, image and likeness of individual athletes. Per the website, the store has paid “millions” directly to athletes. It is a licensed partner with more than 160 schools and represents more than 30,000 college athletes.
“NIL Store combines creative design, digital marketing, e-commerce infrastructure, and retail expansion to create limitless financial opportunities for athletes,” the website reads.
