Operation Team Player - True Fans Keep it Real

ABOUT OPERATION TEAM PLAYER

That ad you see on social media or from your favorite e-commerce site may be selling the merchandise you want at a cheaper price. They may also be putting you at risk for identity theft and financial scams. The extent of their illicit sales may force legitimate American small businesses to close. The money they make may fund other crimes that could harm American communities. This is why it is important to purchase from trusted retailers only. 

Operation Team Player is a partnership between the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Custom and Border Protection (CBP) and major sports leagues to prevent the illegal import and sale of fake sports merchandise.  


OUR PARTNERS

Our partnership with major sports leagues through “Operation Team Player” is a collaboration protecting sports fans from the real consequences of fake sports merchandise.

MEET THE TEAM

Angel Villagrana 
Customs Trade Officer 
@Customs & Border Protection 

“Stopping the importation of counterfeit goods in the U.S. is a crucial team effort between the major sporting leagues and the IPR Center.”  
We know that #TrueFansKeepItReal
Dolores DiBella 
Senior Vice President of Legal Affairs 
@National Football League 

We sincerely value efforts these consumer protection initiatives that help ensure fans can support their favorite teams and avoid counterfeit scams.”

 

 


UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT

Real Consequences of Fake Merchandise

Stolen Identity - Icon


Stolen
Identity.

 


No Fakes - Support American Businesses - Icon


Hurt
American Businesses.

 


Fake Merchandise - Fund Real Criminals - Icon


Fund
Real Criminals.




DID YOU KNOW?

While estimates vary, the total amount of counterfeit goods sold each year comes in at around $1.7T-$4.5T (This figure is between/or more than the Nominal GDP of Japan, Germany, India, United Kingdom, France, Russia, Canada, Italy, Brazil, and Australia, separately. 

Fake Merchandise, real consequences. 

Nominal GDP: Nominal Gross Domestic Product is the total market value of all goods and services produced in a country’s economy over a given period. Unlike other GDP measurements, nominal GDP is not adjusted to account for prices changes for inflation and deflation
39,000 jobs in wholesaling and  
280,000 retail jobs paying over 
13.6B in wages and benefits to workers 
Were lost because of counterfeit production
Top 5 counterfeit items 
1. Jerseys 
2. T-shirts 
3. Hats 
4. Jewelry 
5. Championship Rings

IS THE ADVERTISEMENT REAL?

Learn how to spot the ads that are selling counterfeit sports merchandise.

IS THIS AD SELLING COUNTERFEIT GOODS?

Unusually low prices.
If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.

IS THIS AD SELLING COUNTERFEIT GOODS?

Fake-sounding reviews.
Companies that sell authentic sports memorabilia don't have fake-sounding, hard to understand, or repetitive reviews.

IS THIS AD SELLING COUNTERFEIT GOODS?

Sketchy looking websites.
Licensed dealers have modern, easy to navigate, error free webpages.


CAN YOU SPOT THE FAKE?

Learn how to spot the fake sports merchandise.

Real sports merchandise has a multi-color hologram on the tag. Counterfeit sports merchandise will have a poor quality hologram or no hologram on the tag.

Real sports merchandise has a high quality interior stitching. Counterfeit sports merchandise will have poor quality interior stitching.


HOW TO SHOP SMART

If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Below are a few tips to help you shop legally and shop smartly. Remember, purchasing from trusted retailers is the best way to guarantee your purchase and ensure you receive authentic merch.

Young man picking up merchandise goods

 

Research the Seller - Icon

Research the seller. Check the location and legitimacy of the company before you buy.

Price Shop - Icon

Price shop. Cheaper does not always mean better.

Inspect the merchandise - Icon

Inspect the merchandise. The real deal will have the correct color, font, spelling, and a tag with a hologram sticker.

Determine the payment method - Icon

Determine the payment method. Wire transfer and prepaid debit cards are signs of a scam.

Check the return policy - Icon

Check the return policy. Determine if a money-back guarantee is available.


OPERATION TEAM PLAYER WINS


INSTANT REPLAY

 


JOIN THE
TEAM!

True fans keep it real - Icon


True fans keep it real
– buy the real thing.

Fake merchandise has real consequences - Icon

Fake merchandise has real consequences – protect yourself and support American small businesses.

True fans brag about their team - Icon

True fans brag about their team – share what you’ve learned with family and friends.