LOUISVILLE, Ky. – With college football and the NFL playoffs underway, consumer experts are warning fans to be cautious when buying sports merchandise, especially jerseys sold at unusually low prices.
Cheap knockoff jerseys are often sold online, on street corners, or at temporary stands for a fraction of the cost of official gear. While the price may be tempting, experts say counterfeit merchandise is typically made with lower-quality materials and can fall apart after just a few wears.
Signs of a fake jersey can include generic tags, iron-on numbers or logos, poor stitching, and inconsistent sizing. Even jerseys that appear to have official league or brand tags may still be counterfeit.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, millions of dollars’ worth of counterfeit sports merchandise is seized each football season, much of it imported from overseas. Officials say questionable online sellers make it easy for consumers to unknowingly purchase fake items.
To avoid being disappointed on game day, experts recommend buying merchandise from reputable local retailers or authorized sellers such as official league websites. If a deal seems too good to be true, it likely is.
Consumers are reminded that spending a little more upfront on licensed gear can help ensure quality — and keep money from being wasted on counterfeit products.
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