NFL Fake Merchandise Surge: Fanbases Impacted Across the NFL
More than 550,000 online conversations in the past 12 months reveal heated debates about counterfeit NFL merchandise, but some fans are feeling the sting more than others. There is a definite surge in NFL fake merchandise.
NFL Fake Merchandise Surge: Fanbases Impacted Across the NFL
Recent data from InGame.com analyzed over half a million online conversations from the past year about fake NFL merchandise and knockoff products. While fans nationwide voice frustration, the intensity and negativity vary widely depending on the team and location.
NFL Fake Merchandise Surge: Fake NFL Merch Conversations Heat Up Across the U.S.
Research reveals which NFL fanbases have fallen victim the most to fake merch scams, and which states are fueling the conversation. The Philadelphia Eagles top the charts with 41,660 online conversations about fake merchandise — but they also suffer the highest rate of negative sentiment, with 38% of these conversations expressing frustration or disappointment.
Other teams with significant chatter include the Kansas City Chiefs (28,442 conversations, 15% negative), Dallas Cowboys (24,828 conversations, 18% negative), and Pittsburgh Steelers (22,844 conversations, 16% negative).
Oct 9, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; A Philadelphia Eagles fan watches action between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
NFL Fake Merchandise Surge: A Complete Look at the Data
Rank Teams Fake Merch Conversations online in the last 12 months % of Negative conversations online in the last 12 months Average cost of a team jersey
1 Philadelphia Eagles 41,660 38% $147.99
2 Kansas City Chiefs 28,442 15% $131.13
3 Dallas Cowboys 24,828 18% $141.79
4 Pittsburgh Steelers 22,844 16% $152.25
5 New York Giants 20,540 14% $158.85
6 New York Jets 19,516 13% $138.65
7 San Francisco 49ers 19,419 12% $143.81
8 Cleveland Browns 19,060 16% $151.23
9 Detroit Lions 18,989 14% $156.91
10 Chicago Bears 18,920 12% $124.95
11 Green Bay Packers 18,481 14% $134.03
12 Minnesota Vikings 18,168 12% $142.79
13 New England Patriots 17,965 13% $138.51
14 Denver Broncos 16,420 12% $139.17
15 Houston Texans 16,367 15% $127.39
16 Washington Commanders 15,923 14% $154.05
17 Buffalo Bills 15,682 15% $135.71
18 Los Angeles Rams 15,088 15% $131.25
19 Cincinnati Bengals 14,868 17% $134.63
20 New Orleans Saints 14,730 15% $148.47
21 Las Vegas Raiders 14,529 14% $134.71
22 Seattle Seahawks 14,485 12% $136.17
23 Tennessee Titans 14,325 12% $154.49
24 Baltimore Ravens 14,241 16% $145.77
25 Miami Dolphins 14,188 14% $137.89
26 Atlanta Falcons 14,006 11% $135.31
27 Carolina Panthers 13,975 13% $129.71
28 Jacksonville Jaguars 12,909 13% $167.99
29 Indianapolis Colts 12,442 12% $143.79
30 Arizona Cardinals 12,111 11% $125.57
31 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 11,849 12% $141.59
32 Los Angeles Chargers 11,847 13% $129.53
Fans of these teams are actively discussing the growing problem of fake NFL merch online — from jerseys and hats to collectibles — and many express concerns over quality, authenticity, and price gouging.
Sep 13, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants fans hold up signs during the fourth quarter between Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
NFL Fake Merchandise Surge: Which States Are at the Center of the Fake Merchandise Conversations?
Looking beyond teams, InGame.com analyzed which U.S. states appear most frequently in the top five states generating fake merch conversations for each NFL team. The results show some clear hotspots:
State State ranked top 5 within conversations online by team
California 26
Texas 25
Florida 24
New York 19
Tennessee 10
Arizona 5
Ohio 5
Georgia 4
Illinois 4
Missouri 4
Pennsylvania 4
Massachusetts 3
Virginia 3
Wisconsin 3
Colorado 2
District of Columbia 2
Maryland 2
Michigan 2
Nevada 2
New Jersey 2
Washington 2
Connecticut 1
Indiana 1
Louisiana 1
Minnesota 1
North Carolina 1
South Carolina 1
California, Texas, and Florida dominate the conversation, each appearing in the top five states for fake merch discussions more than 24 times across different teams.
California ranks highest among fans of the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, and Los Angeles Chargers. It also appears as the second most mentioned state for the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, and Seattle Seahawks.
These states boast large, passionate NFL fanbases paired with active online marketplaces — creating fertile ground for counterfeit merchandise to thrive.
NFL Fake Merchandise Surge: What This Means for NFL Fans and the Industry
The data underscores the growing challenge for fans trying to purchase authentic team gear online. With counterfeiters exploiting the demand, fans risk losing money and faith in official merch channels. Retailers and the NFL will need to step up enforcement and education efforts, especially in the high-traffic states spotlighted here.
Methodology:
This data was sourced from Brandwatch, analyzing social media and online discussion data for all 32 NFL teams, including conversation volume, positive/negative sentiment, and the top 5 U.S. states driving that engagement.
The Last Word
NFL merchandise, including fan apparel and memorabilia, is a hot commodity not just in the United States but across the globe. The reason is simple: there are big bucks to be made in clothing and sports merchandise. Fans of the Philadelphia Eagles voice the most concerns about fake merchandise, by far.
Fake merchandise is becoming a problem across the NFL, which is not a shock considering the big money to be made in NFL merchandise. Not surprisingly, four teams with huge fan bases, the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, and Pittsburgh Steelers, have many fans who are not happy with fake merchandise becoming a bigger problem every year. Two teams with far fewer fans nationally, the Los Angeles Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, understandably have far fewer complaints about fake merchandise.
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