Authentic NFL Jerseys: How to Spot a Fake from the Real Deal 2023
If youâre trying to save money on a new NFL jersey, youâre not alone. With authentic NFL jerseys selling anywhere from $100 to $295, thereâs a large market for buyers looking for discounted options. However, unless youâre buying from legitimate (and somewhat expensive) sites like NFLShop.com, youâre going to have to question the authenticity of any jersey you purchase. Scammers have flooded e-commerce platforms with fraudulent listings and counterfeit NFL jerseys.
What Are Fake NFL Jerseys?
First, itâs important to note the different tiers of NFL jerseys. Legitimate replicas come in a variety of qualities and price points. There are currently four different types of game-day-ready NFL jerseys:
Nike Legend Jersey: Legend jerseys are the low-quality fan gear inspired by the teamâs jerseys. These are usually cheap and use lower-quality materials. Nike Game Jersey: Game jerseys have a loose, relaxed fit, perfect for watching the big game from your couch. They feature breathable mesh side panels and screen-printed graphics (including the name and number). However, they donât use the same high-quality materials as the performance jerseys. Nike Limited Jersey: Limited jerseys are high-end jerseys inspired by real-deal uniforms. They use high-quality materials, but they donât have every detail of the more expensive Elite jerseys. Nike Elite Jersey: The most real-deal jerseys you can find without raiding the teamâs locker room. Nike Elite jerseys have authentic materials, ventilation, sewn-on twill letters and numbers, and every teeny-tiny detail of the official jerseys. All of these jerseys are considered authenticânone of these are fakes.
Fake NFL jerseys are scammer-made clothing that mimics the style and details of any of these authentic NFL jerseys. Theyâre often made with low-quality and non-durable materials but promise the performance and professionalism of original jerseys.
Fake NFL jerseys donât get all the details right. Often, theyâll use the wrong shades of colors and even print the wrong player number on the back. In addition, these cheap jerseys usually have sizing issues, and some will fall apart after a single wash.
Youâll find fake NFL jerseys selling for unbelievably low pricesâif you think itâs too good to be true, then it probably is. However, some fakes marketing themselves as authentic, high-quality jerseys will sell at higher prices to improve their legitimacy. Below, weâll help you spot the fakes and avoid certain sellers.
Where Are Fake NFL Jerseys Sold? Scammers sell fake NFL jerseys all over the internet. Here are the most common places youâll find fakes:
eBay Facebook Marketplace Walmart Marketplace Amazon Craigslist Alibaba Scam websites NFL Shop imposters Etsy Even honest, legitimate sellers can sell fake NFL jerseys. If they purchased the jersey online years ago, thereâs a chance they innocently bought a fake.
Regardless, if youâre buying from your neighborâs garage sale or a stranger on Craigslist, the following investigative methods will help you spot the fakes from authentic NFL jerseys.
6 Ways to Tell the Difference Between Fake and Authentic NFL Jerseys There are some tell-tale signs of fake NFL jerseys, so itâs essential to know what to look for when buying one online or in person. Pay special attention to the:
Letters and numbers Clothing tags Panel colors Stitch and thread quality Security label Logos
Letters and Numbers First, analyze the font. Then, look up the real-deal jersey on the teamâs website or NFLShop.com. If the font is off, then itâs probably a fake.
Next, look at the quality of the letters and numbers. Fakes will often have folds and creases and low-quality material. However, this isnât always noticeable at first glanceâoften, youâll begin to see the folds and creases as the jersey goes through the wash.









