NFL

Feds seize nearly $22M in phony sports merchandise

Federal agencies have seized a record number of phony sports merchandise worth more than $21.6 million.

The effort, dubbed Operation Team Player, led to 50 arrests and more than 202,000 items of fake sports memorabilia seized nationwide since June, authorities said.

Fake jerseys, ball caps, t-shirts, and jackets are among the phony items confiscated as part of an effort to combat illegal sales as the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks prepare to battle in Sunday’s Super Bowl.

“Together, we are working hard to prevent fans from being scammed by criminals seeking to profit from the public’s passion for the NFL, their home teams and the Super Bowl,” said NFL Senior Vice President Anastasia Danias.

She said there’s been story after story of fans buying jerseys from illegal websites. “Buying counterfeit does not mean you are getting a deal. In fact, what it means is, you are putting your financial information at risk.”

The NFL has executed seizure orders for more than 5,250 websites selling fake merchandise in 2013, while Federal authorities seized 2,713 domain names since June 2010.

“The risks of counterfeit products go beyond damaging the reputation of a name on a label; the US economy and American jobs are at risk with the purchase of seemingly harmless items,” said US Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner Thomas S. Winkowsi.

For the first time, the Operation has extended to Mexico for Super Bowl week, targeting warehouses, stores and flea markets to identify any international shipments of phony items.

The announcement comes after cops busted two men on Monday who allegedly produced phony Super Bowl tickets that were sold online and then shipped by Fedex, according to law enforcement sources.

The NFL is warning fans of the risk of buying counterfeit tickets in the lead up to Sunday’s game. “We know they’re out there. We know they’re targeting fans coming into the New York/New Jersey area,” Danias said. “Don’t let yourself be victimized.”