There’s big money in Minor League merch.

Minor League Baseball (MiLB) recently announced that 2017 retail sales of licensed merchandise from the 160 teams that charge admission to their games climbed to $70.8 million. That’s 3.6% better than 2016 – and an all-time annual high since MiLB’s licensing program began in 1992.

An El Paso Chihuahuas hat. The team’s licensed merchandise was among the best-selling in MiLB in 2017.

"Minor League Baseball team names and logos continue to be among the most popular in all of professional sports and our teams have made promoting their brand a priority for their respective organizations," Brian Earle, Minor League Baseball's Chief Operating Officer, said in a statement. "The teams have done a tremendous job of using their team marks and logos to build an identity that is appealing to fans not just locally, but in some cases, globally as well."

The wonderfully-named Fort Wayne TinCaps’ licensed merch sales were in the Top 25 of all MiLB teams in 2017.

Strong support from licensing partners and creative, attractive designs that resonated with audiences helped propel the growth, Earle said. New Era Cap, 47 Brand, Bimm Ridder, Majestic/Fanatics, Original Retro Brand, Outdoor Cap (asi/75420) and Nike lead the way in terms of licensing partners, MiLB said. "The increase in popularity of Minor League Baseball logos, combined with high-quality product design and superior manufacturing capabilities of these licensees, has provided MiLB with a vehicle for current and future growth," said Earle.

In announcing the 2017 licensed merch sales result, MiLB revealed the top 25 teams whose merch sales were the highest in 2017 (see list at bottom). Teams and their fans that made the list were excited.

Congratulations to the #Jacksonville @jaxshrimp on making this list. A great and well deserved accomplishment Minor League Baseball announces its top 25 teams in licensed merchandise sales https://t.co/TPuGYI9JIs via @milb #ilovejax #onlyinjax

— Howard Wolpoff (@hwolpoff) July 24, 2018

Minor League Baseball says the @RocRedWings transformation into the Plates helped propel them into the top 25 teams (out of 160) in licensed merchandise sales in 2017. MILB’s combined totals for all 160 teams set a record last year with more than $70.8 million in sales. #ROC pic.twitter.com/Lx31QB9Iwt

— Spectrum News ROC (@SPECNewsROC) July 24, 2018

Editorial team members at ASI are fans of Minor League Baseball merchandise and promotions, and have given each extensive coverage in the past. Topics include the eight kookiest caps in MiLB, a look at the brilliant creativity of Minor League promo campaigns, and more.

A jersey for the Columbia Fireflies, a New York Mets MiLB affiliate that was among the leaders in licensed merch sales.

The list of the 25 MiLB teams with the greatest licensed merchandise sales in 2017 were (alphabetically, with Major League affiliate): Albuquerque Isotopes (Rockies), Buffalo Bisons (Blue Jays), Charlotte Knights (White Sox), Columbia Fireflies (Mets), Columbus Clippers (Indians), Durham Bulls (Rays), El Paso Chihuahuas (Padres), Fort Wayne TinCaps (Padres), Frisco RoughRiders (Rangers), Hartford Yard Goats (Rockies), Indianapolis Indians (Pirates), Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Marlins), Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Phillies), Nashville Sounds (Athletics), New Orleans Baby Cakes (Marlins), Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals), Portland SeaDogs (Red Sox), Reading Fightin Phils (Phillies), Rochester Red Wings (Twins), Sacramento River Cats (Giants), Salt Lake Bees (Angels), South Bend Cubs, Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners), Toledo Mud Hens (Tigers) and Trenton Thunder (Yankees).