NFL Cracking Down on Counterfeiters

[The King]

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/8900519/nfl-us-government-score-record-bust-fake-jerseys

The NFL, in cooperation with government authorities, announced on Thursday that it had seized a record $13.6 million worth of counterfeit NFL merchandise this season in a nationwide enforcement effort called "Operation Red Zone."
That total included a bust in Warwick, R.I., in September, when the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations, with an assist from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Postal Inspection Service, seized 226 boxes containing 4,016 counterfeit jerseys. It also includes 160,000 Super Bowl-related pieces of memorabilia discovered in recent days.
"Organized criminals are preying on that excitement, ripping consumers off with counterfeit merchandise and stealing from the American businesses who have worked hard to build a trusted brand," said ICE director John Morton, in a statement. "The sale of counterfeit jerseys and other sports items undermines the legitimate economy, takes jobs away from Americans, and fuels crime overseas. No good comes of counterfeiting American products -- whether NFL jerseys, airbags, or pharmaceuticals -- and we must go after the criminals behind it."

[Joe Fo Sho]

Re: NFL Cracking Down on Counterfitters

"whether NFL jerseys, airbags, or pharmaceuticals -- and we must go after the criminals behind it."

One of these things is not like the other.

[HAMMER]

Re: NFL Cracking Down on Counterfitters

Two summers ago I had a box of 60 jerseys confiscated by customs. Received a nice letter with threats of fines, etc. I shut that down very quickly, they are serious.

[OpIv37]

Re: NFL Cracking Down on Counterfitters

First, the counterfeits don't take American jobs because the real ones aren't made in America either.

Second, if the NFL doesn't want people to buy counterfeit merch, don't charge $100 for a replica jersey and $225 for an authentic, especially in a league where players are rarely on the same team for more than 4 or 5 years.

I know they have to make a profit, but the counterfeiters sell the authentics for roughly 1/10 the price of the official ones and still make money. They could easily slash those prices in half and still make a hefty profit.

[The King]

Re: NFL Cracking Down on Counterfitters

Rather than go after counter fitters, why not competitively price? We know they're being made in the same conditions. Why would I pay 200$ when I can get an almost identical piece for 35$

[Mr. Miyagi]

Re: NFL Cracking Down on Counterfitters

"Organized criminals are preying on that excitement, ripping consumers off with counterfeit merchandise and stealing from the American businesses who have worked hard to build a trusted brand," said ICE director John Morton, in a statement. "The sale of counterfeit jerseys and other sports items undermines the legitimate economy, takes jobs away from Americans, and fuels crime overseas.

Unfortunately the Officially Licensed NFL jerseys are all made overseas anyway, in most cases from the same manufacturers who are making the "counterfeit" jerseys. So the consumers are actually getting ripped off not by the counterfeiters but by the NFL for having to pay 10x the price for "official licensed" products.

[Night Train]

Re: NFL Cracking Down on Counterfitters

Rather than go after counter fitters, why not competitively price? We know they're being made in the same conditions. Why would I pay 200$ when I can get an almost identical piece for 35$

Once I saw Godell was being paid 29 Mil, I stopped worrying about NFL income.

[OpIv37]

Re: NFL Cracking Down on Counterfitters

Rather than go after counter fitters, why not competitively price? We know they're being made in the same conditions. Why would I pay 200$ when I can get an almost identical piece for 35$

You mean use free market capitalism instead of state authority to sell goods? Why would anyone want to do that?

[Mr. Miyagi]

Re: NFL Cracking Down on Counterfitters

All of us pretty much said the same thing.

[bf1]

Re: NFL Cracking Down on Counterfitters

Rather than go after counter fitters, why not competitively price? We know they're being made in the same conditions. Why would I pay 200$ when I can get an almost identical piece for 35$

Exactly. The last I checked replicas were $99. They are pricing themselves out. They should compete with the counterfeiters. I'd be willing to bet that most fans would spend $20 more to avoid the overseas order. Not $60+.

[Mr. Miyagi]

Re: NFL Cracking Down on Counterfitters

Exactly. The last I checked replicas were $99. They are pricing themselves out. They should compete with the counterfeiters. I'd be willing to bet that most fans would spend $20 more to avoid the overseas order. Not $60+.

"Authentics" are being sold from China at $25. I would gladly pay $50 for it from the US, but not $225.

[The King]

Re: NFL Cracking Down on Counterfitters

Its also hard to feel bad for organizations that are made up of about 100 millionaires and at least 1 billionaire.

[Pinkerton Security]

Re: NFL Cracking Down on Counterfitters

counterfeiters

[bf1]

Re: NFL Cracking Down on Counterfeiters

I don't think I've bought one piece of licensed merchandise for any sport in about 10 years.

[The King]

Re: NFL Cracking Down on Counterfitters

Two summers ago I had a box of 60 jerseys confiscated by customs. Received a nice letter with threats of fines, etc. I shut that down very quickly, they are serious.

IMO I have no problem with them stopping people trying to make a profit on them, but hopefully they'll leave the households alone.