Homeland Security Seizes $45M In Fake NFL Merchandise

TAMPA, FL — Homeland Security Investigations announced Wednesday the seizure of more than 169,000 counterfeit sports-related items over the past year worth an estimated $45 million.

This announcement was made during a joint press conference in Tampa with the National Football League, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Tampa Police Department (TPD).

“Operation Team Player” is an ongoing annual operation that begins after every Super Bowl and runs through the next one, targeting international shipments of counterfeit sports merchandise into the United States. This operation is run by the HSI-led National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, in collaboration with CBP, the NFL and other major sports leagues, to prevent the illegal importation and distribution of counterfeit sports merchandise.

“Make no mistake – intellectual property theft is not a victimless crime. American manufacturers and retailers – and those they employ – as well as consumers are the losers in this game,” said Steve Francis, IPR Center director. “Fans who spend their hard-earned money to support the NFL and their favorite team can rest assured that HSI and its partners are working around the clock to ensure they are getting only genuine, high-quality officially licensed merchandise in return.”

“Operation Team Player is the most successful and long-standing collaborative effort to protect U.S. consumers from the sale of counterfeit sports merchandise and tickets,” said NFL Vice President of Legal Affairs Dolores DiBella. “The NFL is grateful for the diligent and tireless work of agents and officers from the IPR Center, HSI, CBP and Tampa area law enforcement who have undertaken anti-counterfeiting measures that protect fans not only at Super Bowl LV, but all season long.”

“Intellectual property rights enforcement is essential to protecting the health and safety of American consumers; ensuring a level playing field for legitimate U.S. businesses; and tackling domestic and international criminal organizations. CBP personnel are on the frontlines of enforcing intellectual property rights—most visibly by seizing products that infringe on trademarks, copyrights and patents,” Vernon Foret, CBP director of field operations for Miami and Tampa. “It has been an honor to work with the far-reaching network of law enforcement partners, public safety agencies and stakeholders represented here today.”

“The Tampa Police Department has been working with HSI and CBP, along with multiple other agencies, since September to combat counterfeiting of goods as we get closer to Super Bowl. We stand prepared and ready to prosecute anyone who commits the crime within the city of Tampa and protect our residents and tourists visiting the city of Tampa throughout the weekend,” said Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan.

Special agents from HSI teamed with industry, CBP, Tampa police officers and other partner agencies to identify flea markets, retail outlets and street vendors selling counterfeit goods during the week leading up to Super Bowl LV. They seized fake jerseys, hats, cell-phone accessories and thousands of other bogus items prepared to be sold to unsuspecting consumers.

Last year, HSI announced that enforcement actions related to “Operation Team Player” resulted in the record-breaking seizure of $123 million worth of counterfeit sports-merchandise.

However, due the COVID-19 global pandemic, much of the illegal activity moved online, pushing HSI’s efforts more toward commercial websites engaged in the illegal sale and distribution of counterfeit goods.

This year’s “Operation Team Player” began at the conclusion of the 2020 Super Bowl. Throughout the year, the IPR Center led coordinated efforts with major sporting leagues to target contraband that impacts the economy, enables additional criminality and poses potential health and safety hazards to the public.

The IPR Center was established to combat global intellectual property theft – and, accordingly, has a significant role policing the sale and distribution of counterfeit goods on websites, social media and the dark web.

All authentic NFL merchandise has a difficult to duplicate hologram on the tag.

To report IP theft, click here.

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