NHL Issues Warning to Fans: Beware of Counterfeit NHL Winter Classic Merchandise

CHICAGO-(Business Wire)-December 29, 2008 - When the hometown Chicago Blackhawks host the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings in this week’s historic Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic 2009, the NHL warns that hockey fans will be targeted by counterfeiters attempting to sell unauthorized and poorly produced knock-off merchandise. Potential victims will range from legitimate retailers throughout the region to Blackhawks and Red Wings fans who believe they’re purchasing authentic merchandise in support of their favorite teams and players, only to learn later they’ve obtained counterfeit merchandise of inferior quality.

Since 1993, the NHL – through its membership in the Coalition to Advance the Protection of Sports logos (CAPS) – has been involved in the seizure of more than nine million pieces of counterfeit merchandise featuring the logos of various professional sports leagues and teams, colleges and universities – valued at more than $329 million. Such counterfeiting often occurs around high-profile events like the NHL playoffs or the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic 2009, to be held at Wrigley Field on Jan. 1 at noon, as the demand for team gear rises among fans. For example, at the 2008 inaugural NHL Winter Classic event in Buffalo, local law enforcement seized over 1,100 pieces of counterfeit NHL apparel, and at the league’s All-Star Game in Atlanta, several hundred counterfeit NHL All-Star shirts were confiscated.

This week, the NHL will be cooperating with local law enforcement authorities, who will be responsible for enforcing local laws prohibiting the sale of counterfeit merchandise during the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic 2009.

“Both the Blackhawks and Red Wings boast long, storied histories with large, devoted fan bases, making this historic Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic 2009 at one of sport’s most famous venues a top destination among fans and counterfeiters alike,” said Tom Prochnow, NHL Enterprises group vice president, legal and business affairs. “Fans may think they’re purchasing a T-shirt, jersey, or other item in support of their favorite team but, in reality, they’re only supporting counterfeiters.”

“We want our fans to understand that you get what you pay for when it comes to counterfeits,” added Prochnow. “A counterfeit T-shirt is not a keepsake if it contains a typo or shrinks three sizes when you put it in the laundry.”

To avoid being victimized by counterfeiters, Prochnow urges fans to:

Look for the NHL hologram sticker or hangtag and a sewn-in label identifying the merchandise as "official" and authorized by the NHL.
Shop at shop.nhl.com, the Blackhawks official team store and other legitimate retailers, rather than buying questionable items from street vendors, flea markets, or other such sources.
Beware of ripped tags, typographical errors, poor quality screen-printing, or irregular markings on apparel.
Be suspicious of items when the price is too good to be true.

In addition to misleading consumers who believe they are buying official memorabilia, counterfeiting significantly harms legitimate vendors through lost business.

“We strive for the highest level of quality control,” said Prochnow. “Not only do we want to protect legitimate local businesses who play by the rules, but we also want to ensure that our fans take home memorabilia that will last along with their memories of this once-in-a-lifetime event.”

About CAPS:

The Coalition to Advance the Protection of Sports logos (CAPS) is an alliance formed by The Collegiate Licensing Company, Major League Baseball Properties, Inc., NBA Properties, Inc., NFL Properties LLC, and NHL Enterprises, L.P. in 1992 to address common trademark protection and enforcement matters of its members. For more information, call 1-800-TEL-CAPS (835-2277) or visit www.capsinfo.com.

To Interview Tom Prochnow or another NHL representative:

Please contact Jennifer Peters at 314/982-9167 (office), 314/422-9305 (cell), or jennifer.peters@fleishman.com.

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