By Ossian Shine
NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) – U.S. authorities have seized $39.5 million worth of counterfeit sports merchandise ahead of Super Bowl LIX, officials said on Wednesday, in a crackdown on fake goods being sold to fans.
The operation, led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in collaboration with the National Football League (NFL) and the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, resulted in the confiscation of more than 214,000 counterfeit items. The haul included jerseys, hats, and memorabilia.
Authorities said the effort, part of a pre-existing initiative dubbed “Operation Team Player,” aims to protect fans from fraudulent products and prevent illegal sellers from profiting during the country’s biggest sporting event.
The operation was a year-long, collaborative initiative between Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and major sports leagues and is aimed at preventing counterfeit sports-related merchandise and apparel from reaching fans.
Since its launch in 2013, Operation Team Player has seized more than $455 million in counterfeit sports merchandise and apparel, making it the largest anti-counterfeiting initiative within the federal government, Homeland Security Investigations said.
With millions of fans preparing for Sunday’s championship game in New Orleans, officials urged buyers to shop from reputable sources to ensure authenticity.
Football jerseys sell for $149.99 on the official NFL online store, with Super Bowl customised jerseys retailing for $179.99.
“Excitement is growing ahead of the big game in New Orleans on Sunday. But if you’re looking to be in that number — and buy tickets to the Super Bowl LIX, you’ve got to do your homework first. Sadly, many con artists will be working overtime this week to prey on innocent people looking to attend the game,” said Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill.
The New Orleans Police Department will be teamed up with agents from the city’s Department of Revenue, the Department of Homeland Security and NFL members, to identify and address illegal vendors and the sale of counterfeit merchandise, Lieutenant Kenny Temple of the New Orleans Police Department said.
Some 200,000 visitors are expected to converge on New Orleans during the week leading up to Super Bowl LIX, scheduled for February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome. This influx is about twice the number of visitors the city typically sees in an average week, tourism officials say.
Donald Trump is planning to be among the visitors and will become the first sitting president to be a spectator at the NFL title game, in which the Kansas City Chiefs will go for an unprecedented “three-peat” against the Philadelphia Eagles.
(Editing by Toby Davis)
