State Warning Issued For CT High School Sports 'Booster' Scams

HARTFORD/VERNON, CT — Attorney General William Tong on Thursday sent out a statewide warning to businesses to avoid dealings with with Texas-based Sports Media Advertising or SMA, which appears to be "actively engaged in scams targeting Connecticut businesses and schools."

SMA pulled off a widespread scam in Vernon recently, according to police and education officials.

SMA is a Fort Worth, Texas-based business that has also been known as Boost Sports Integrative Media, LLC and High School Sports Advertising, Tong said.

The company is accused of targeting "particular communities" by contacting local businesses claiming to be working with a local high school sports team to create various items such as T-shirts, cups, banners, etc., to promote the program, Tong said.

The businesses are offered "sponsorship" opportunities to have their logos displayed on the items, together with the school logo, for a price of $300 to $1,000, Tong said.

The high schools reportedly know nothing about the arrangements and do not receive any of the money.

The Office of the Attorney General is actively investigating the allegations.

"This company appears to be shamelessly bilking money from Connecticut businesses by preying on well-intentioned community support for our student athletes," Tong said. "My office is investigating these allegations and is prepared to take strong legal action against this company. If you are aware of attempts by Sports Media Advertising to target your business or school, I want to hear from you."

The Office of the Attorney General was contacted earlier this month by the Vernon Police Department regarding such a scam involving Rockville High School and a several Vernon business.

The scheme was detected when the business accidentally sent a $1,000 check intended for SMA directly to the school, according to police and Tong.

The school had no arrangement with SMA, but received an unsolicited package of 25 low-quality T-shirts with misspelled school and business logos, authorities said.

Anyone who may have had dealing with SMA, can file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General by clicking on <https://www.dir.ct.gov/ag/complaint/> or by calling 860-808-5318.