CLC, University and CFP Cracking Down on Counterfeiters at National Championship Game

Tampa, Florida (January 6, 2017) – As Clemson University and The University of Alabama prepare to meet for the second consecutive year in the College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship, the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) is taking the necessary measures to clear the Tampa market of counterfeit and unlicensed merchandise at the Raymond James Stadium game site and the events surrounding championship weekend.

CLC, the trademark licensing affiliate of IMG College and the exclusive licensing partner of the CFP, Clemson, and Alabama, will work closely with local investigators and law enforcement officials in Tampa, as well as special agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), to control the merchandise being sold surrounding the CFP National Championship.

As one of the most anticipated collegiate sporting events of the year, the third annual College Football Playoff National Championship is expected to attract significant fan and media attention, making it a prime target for counterfeiters looking to capitalize on the excitement of fans.

“Our ultimate goal is to protect the brand and integrity of the College Football Playoff, as well as the participating institutions and their fans,” said Cory Moss, CLC’s Senior Vice President and Managing Director. “By teaming with law enforcement officials, we are working to deter potential counterfeiters, while ensuring consumers are not lured into purchasing inferior, unlicensed product.”

Enforcement efforts surrounding the CFP began last week at the two Playoff semifinals at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl and the Playstation Fiesta Bowl. During the 2015-16 College Football Playoff more than 1,700 counterfeit items were seized with a retail value of more than $52,000.

We trust that CLC and the network of investigators they have coordinated will ensure that the fans of the College Football Playoff and the two teams have a positive experience during our events and will enjoy quality, licensed merchandise as souvenirs of their participation,” said Bill Hancock, Executive Director of the College Football Playoff.

There are 42 companies that are officially licensed to produce approved merchandise bearing the marks of the College Football Playoff. Fans are encouraged to purchase only officially licensed CFP merchandise to ensure higher quality products that can serve as mementos of their CFP experience for years to come.

Consumer tips for purchasing officially licensed Clemson, Alabama, and College Football Playoff merchandise:

·       All officially licensed merchandise should display the “Officially Licensed Collegiate Product” or the CFP’s “Extra Yard for Teachers” hologram somewhere on the product or hangtag.

·       The merchandise should depict Clemson, Alabama and the College Football Playoff logos and trademarks in a tasteful manner.

·       The tag on the garment should be intact. A torn or missing tag is evidence of a garment of inferior quality, one that probably would not meet the stringent quality standards put in place by Clemson, Alabama or the College Football Playoff. 

·       All merchandise should bear the name of the manufacturer somewhere on the product, either in the form of a hangtag, a neck label, or screen-printed directly on the garment.

·       All merchandise should have the appropriate trademark designations (i.e. TM) next to a specific name or design. 

Royalties generated from the sale of CFP merchandise help fund the organization’s philanthropic initiative, Extra Yard for Teachers. Extra Yard for Teachers is dedicated to honoring and supporting teachers nationally and in the communities that host the CFP National Championship through the direct provision of resources, professional development and training, teacher recognition and the support of a college-going culture. Royalties from sales of officially licensed College Football Playoff merchandise generated more than $2.4 million to support Extra Yard for Teachers during the 2014-15 season.