The Las Vegas Raiders selected quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, bringing immediate excitement to a franchise searching for a new identity.
Mendoza hasn’t taken his first NFL snap yet. But he’s already making waves in the merchandise world.
Fanatics reported that Mendoza was their top-selling athlete over the weekend, with his No. 15 Raiders jersey flying off shelves before selling out completely.
The former Indiana quarterback outsold major stars including Travis Kelce, LeBron James, Shohei Ohtani and Patrick Mahomes, according to TMZ Sports.
The Raiders’ welcoming ovation for @FernandoMendoza was loud and proud
Mendoza made sure to not step on the logo (via @Raiders) pic.twitter.com/JBHYCtfbAL
— NFL (@NFL) April 25, 2026
The sales surge helped push the Raiders to become the top-selling NFL franchise over the weekend. They beat out all other teams in merchandise sales during that period.
“Thanks in large part to all the jerseys he sold, the Las Vegas Raiders were the top-selling team, beating out all the other NFL franchises,” the TMZ report stated.
Fans wanting Mendoza gear will have to wait for restocks or pay premium prices on the reseller market.
The marketing appeal makes sense given Mendoza’s college success. He led Indiana to their first College Football Playoff National Championship last season.
The Hoosiers finished 16-0 under Mendoza’s leadership. That record represents the best single-season mark in the modern college football era.
More merchandise featuring the Raiders’ new franchise quarterback will hit shelves soon.
