LONDON, Sept. 30, 2010 — The Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant tops the list of most popular NBA jerseys in Europe for the third consecutive year. Coming off his fifth NBA title in 2010.
Moving up two spots to No. 2 is LeBron James, formerly of the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade rounds out the top three. The Most Popular NBA Jerseys in Europe list is based on sales from retail locations across Europe during the 2009-10 NBA season.
European NBA players continue to gain popularity in their homeland, representing six of the top 15 players on this year’s list. They include Pau Gasol of the Los Angles Lakers (No. 4), Andrea Barganani and Jose Calderon of the Toronto Raptors (No. 6 and No. 7, respectively), Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks (No. 9), Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs (No. 10), and Danilo Gallinari of the New York Knicks (No. 11). International players make up approximately 20 percent of NBA rosters.
| No | Player | Team |
| 1 | Kobe Bryant | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 2 | LeBron James | Cleveland Cavaliers* |
| 3 | Dwyane Wade | Miami Heat |
| 4 | Pau Gasol | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 5 | Kevin Garnett | Boston Celtics |
| 6 | Andrea Barngnani | Toronto Raptors |
| 7 | Jose Calderon | Toronto Raptors |
| 8 | Dwight Howard | Orlando Magic |
| 9 | Dirk Nowitzki | Dalla Mavericks |
| 10 | Tony Parker | San Antonio Spurs |
| 11 | Danilo Gallinari | New York Knicks |
| 12 | Joakim Noah | Chicago Bulls |
| 13 | Chris Paul | New Orleans Hornets |
| 14 | Paul Pierce | Boston Celtics |
| 15 | Carmelo Anthony | Denver Nuggets |
The NBA’s merchandising business in Europe consists of more than 60 partners distributing NBA products to more than 15,000 retail locations. International sales account for 30 percent of the league’s overall global merchandise business.
2010-11 marks the fifth season with adidas as the official oncourt uniform and apparel provider of the NBA and the first season adidas will have exclusive rights to all NBA apparel in Europe. Products will be available beginning Oct. 1, 2010 and fans will be able to select from a comprehensive on-court collection, including the authentic, swingman, and replica versions of NBA player jerseys, as well as authentic team warm-up collections, shooting shirts, official practice wear and adidas TECHFIT base layer compression and padded compression undergarments.
The NBA returns to Europe for the fifth consecutive year as part of NBA Europe Live presented by EA SPORTS. On Oct. 3, The New York Knicks will take on Euroleague’s Armani Jeans Milano at the Mediolanum Forum in Milan. The 02 arena in London will once again host an NBA game as the 2010 NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers compete against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The two teams will travel to Paris on Oct. 6 and play at the Palais Omnisports Paris Bercy. The conclusion of the 2010 Europe Live Games will be an Oct. 7 game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Regal FC Barcelona at the Palau Sant Jordi. Following the 2010 Europe Live Tour, 54 games featuring 23 NBA teams will have been played in 18 cities in Europe since 1988. Eighteen marketing and promotional partners supported the sold-out 2009 tour, which was televised in 209 countries and territories.
Source: NBA
