Fanatics founder and CEO Michael Rubin is going to miss the legend that is Tom Brady.
In part it reflects Rubin's (who is partial owner in the Philadelphia 76ers) love of all things sports, but also because his online sports apparel giant sells a ton of Brady gear.
"Nobody has ever sold more jerseys in the history of our company, in the history of sports than Tom Brady. He is literally a selling machine," Rubin said on Yahoo Finance Live. "We thought when he played for the Patriots and won Super Bowels that nobody would ever sell more jerseys. He went to Tampa Bay which was one of the least purchased [jerseys] NFL teams, and made it the number one team. When he retired, yet again, so many people bought his jerseys. I am hopeful maybe he decides the retirement thing is not for him. Maybe he will be convinced to get back in the game. We love Tom Brady, and the jersey selling machine that he is."
After another MVP worthy season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brady surprised fans ahead of the Super Bowl by making his retirement official.
"I have always believed the sport of football is an 'all-in' proposition — if a 100% competitive commitment isn't there, you won't succeed, and success is what I love so much about our game. There is a physical, mental and emotional challenge EVERY single day that has allowed me to maximize my highest potential. And I have tried my very best these past 22 years. There are no shortcuts to success on the field or in life. This is difficult for me to write, but here it goes: I am not going to make that competitive commitment anymore. I have loved my NFL career, and now it is time to focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention. I've done a lot of reflecting the past week and have asked myself difficult questions. And I am so proud of what we have achieved. My teammates, coaches, fellow competitors, and fans deserve 100% of me, but right now, it's best I leave the field of play to the next generation of dedicated and committed athletes," Brady said in a post on his Instagram account several weeks ago.
The post was initially criticized for leaving out any reference to New England or former coach Bill Belichick.
In a later post on Twitter, Brady offered a "Thank you Patriots Nation."
Rubin is among other big names wishing the all-time great Brady well in retirement.
"Tom Brady brought a lot of joy to New England. Six Super Bowls we were in. Ten Super Bows all together. We won six. I want to commend Tom Brady on his retirement," Marty Walsh, former long-time Boston mayor now U.S. Labor Secretary, said on Yahoo Finance Live.
Brian Sozzi is an editor-at-large and anchor at Yahoo Finance. Follow Sozzi on Twitter @BrianSozzi and on LinkedIn.
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