The NFL and Customs and Border Protection announced Wednesday they stopped 1,300 shipments of fraudulent or counterfeit merchandise in a year-long effort called “Operation Team Player,” seizing items worth an estimated $33 million.
Federal agents highlighted the vast array of fake merchandise at a press conference in advance of the Super Bowl, showing off items including jerseys, hats, rings, and even a phony Lombardi Trophy. “Counterfeiting isn’t a victimless crime. It hurts local vendors. It threatens American jobs, exposes fans to unsafe and substandard products,” said Eric Batt of CBP.
Behind him, a table displayed badly stitched hats and falsified logos. Batt argued that sellers also use platforms selling discounted “official” gear to steal consumers’ personal information. “It comes with real risks, unsafe materials, poor quality, and even links to criminal activity,” he said.
At the official NFL shop at the Super Bowl experience, Seahawks fan David Schmid was wearing his Seahawks jersey and searching for gifts for his family. “The kids wanted some jerseys, and my other daughter wanted a sweatshirt,” he said, noting he always looks for an official hologram on items.
CBP says counterfeit ticketing has changed considerably since the advent of online and app-based sales. NFL spokesperson Michael Buchwald said the league has significantly reduced fraudulent ticketing since moving to digital-only platforms such as SeatGeek and Sports Illustrated Ticketing. The league encourages fans to avoid offers to print tickets at home, using QR codes or screenshots, and only to secure resale tickets through NFL-licensed websites. The NFL could not immediately say how many fraudulent game tickets have been sold in the past year.
