For the first time since 2017, the Steelers are back in the playoffs and fans are buying merchandize left and right.
If you were one of the people that thought you would be getting Super Bowl replica rings in the next few days, you’re going to be sadly disappointed.
U.S. Customs and Boarder Protection officers in Pittsburgh seized 60 Super Bowl rings in eight different packages that came come China.
Officials suspected the rings that were fake and were confirmed by a specialist.
The packages arrived between December 9 and 22 and were addressed to different addresses throughout Allegheny County.
CBP confirms that the rings violate NFL and the Steelers intellectual property rights trademakrs.
If the rings were indeed authentic they would have a suggested retail price of $90,000.
“Steelers’ fans are some of the best fans in the country and I certainly can appreciate them wanting to own collector sets representing their team’s past glories, but upon further review, these rings are counterfeit and the call to seize them stands,” said Keith Fleming, CBP’s Acting Director of Field Operations in Baltimore. “Consumer goods like these are illegal, steal revenues from our nation’s economy, and are often constructed with potentially harmful materials that could threaten consumers’ health. Customs and Border Protection urges consumers to protect themselves and their families by always purchasing safe, authentic goods from reputable vendors.”
At first glance, the rings look they could bet legit, but upon closer inspection, the work is rather poor.
The CBP says that China and Hong Kong are the primary source for seized counterfeit goods.