Both the NFL and ICE warn those purchasing, or selling, jerseys and other sports memorabilia to ensure that the merchandise is authentic and officially licensed. Garment quality is one way to determine whether an item is genuine. Official Nike jerseys will have seamless stitching on the inside, while the counterfeit items often have loose or uneven stitch, or will have stray threads and burst seams. The company Fanatics, which runs official e-commerce sites for the NFL and other sports organizations, has set up a website to help consumers and sellers determine if a jersey is authentic.
Kyle A. Richardson is the editorial director of Promo Marketing. He joined the company in 2006 brings more than a decade of publishing, marketing and media experience to the magazine. If you see him, buy him a drink.