NHL Seeks to Clamp Down on Winter Classic Counterfeit Merchandise

The Chicago Blackhawks are heading to the nation’s capital for their Winter Classic showdown with the Washington Capitals, and as can be expected with an event of this magnitude, there will be plenty of fans going with them and purchasing gear to support their team.

As is generally the case with these types of big national events, some “entrepreneurial” individuals will be attempting to peddle counterfeit gear outside of the game, and the NHL is warning fans about the potential for buying non-authentic merchandise:

“Since 1993, the NHL – through its memberships in the Coalition to Advance the Protection of Sports logos (CAPS) – has been involved in the seizure of more than 10.6 million pieces of counterfeit merchandise featuring the logos of various professional sports leagues and teams, colleges, and universities – valued at more than $405.5 million. As a result of various investigations leading up to the 2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., tens of thousands of dollars in counterfeit NHL merchandise was seized.

“The NHL will be assisting Homeland Security Investigations and other law enforcement authorities, who will be enforcing federal, state, and local laws prohibiting the sale of counterfeit merchandise.”

With the money that the league ends up making on merchandise thanks to jersey, t-shirt, and other sales, it isn’t a surprise that they are so adamant about cracking down on counterfeit gear. This is one of the league’s flagship events, and much like the NFL has done with the Super Bowl and the NCAA has done with the Final Four, they are understandably protective of their merchandising rights.

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