NFL Draft 2024: Caleb Williams beats Caitlin Clark’s record for merchandise sales – less than 24 hours after USC star was selected by the Chicago Bears at No. 1 overall
New NFL star Caleb Williams has already dethroned Caitlin Clark in terms of merchandise sales on draft night, less than 24 hours after being taken No. 1 overall.
Basketball sensation Clark set a new benchmark earlier this month when she was selected by the Indiana Fever with the first overall pick in the WNBA Draft.
With Clark’s popularity soaring following her final March Madness campaign with the Iowa Hawkeyes, her jersey became the best-selling ever for a draft pick last week.
Fanatics – the official online retailer of the WNBA – quickly noticed that stock of Clark’s No. 22 Fever jerseys gone within hours of the NCAA’s all-time leader turning pro.
But while no numbers have been released, Williams has now surpassed Clark’s turnover figure.
Caleb Williams has dethroned Caitlin Clark when it comes to selling draft pick merchandise
Clark set new records last week after being selected by the Indiana Fever in the WNBA Draft
Fanatics posted on
“Chicago’s No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams just broke our record for merchandise sales on draft night for any draft pick in ANY sport.”
Clark surpassed Trevor Lawrence in 2021 after being drafted No. 1 overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Williams is headed to the Windy City with the goal of becoming the franchise quarterback Chicago has been looking for for decades.
“My goal is to get as far into February as I can,” Williams said, referring to playing in a Super Bowl for a team that hasn’t won the Lombardi Trophy in nearly four decades.
The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner kicked off a historic NFL draft on Thursday night, with five other teams selecting quarterbacks from the top 12, setting a record with five in the top 10 and tying a record for most first-round draft picks.
The Bears opened with the easy pick, taking Williams at No. 1 after deciding weeks ago to rely on the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner from USC.
Williams wants to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has wanted for decades
“Care, love and support and wanting to win,” Williams said of what he brings to Chicago.
The Washington Commanders followed by acquiring 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels from LSU and the New England Patriots took North Carolina’s Drake Maye at No. 3, making it the fourth draft with quarterbacks taken with the first three picks fit.
At No. 8, the Atlanta Falcons made a stunning decision to sign Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. to choose, despite the fact that Kirk Cousins signed a huge contract in free agency.
The Minnesota Vikings traded up one spot and brought in JJ McCarthy, who led Michigan to a national championship, five QBs in the top 10 for the first time.
The Denver Broncos selected Oregon’s Bo Nix with the 12th pick, tying the 1983 draft with six QBs in the first round. Three of them became Hall of Famers: John Elway, Dan Marino and Jim Kelly.