The NFL is only allowing online shops that bought at least $3 million worth of licensed merchandise from Reebok last year to apply to offer game day jerseys this year, according to a report in the New York Times. Brian McCarthy, an N.F.L. spokesman, told the newspaper that the new policy was designed to combat counterfeiters as well as excessive discounting.
Reebok is the exclusive distributor of NFL-licensed apparel.
More traditional stores that also sell online will have to meet a minimum threshold of $2 million in purchases last year. Small stores excluded by its new policy can still sell non-game day merchandise like sweatshirts often found at mass-market retailers, McCarthy said.
Reebok had sent out a letter this past fall notifying retailers that they would have to reapply for the right to continue selling the NFLâ€s game day line of jerseys, hats and other apparel modeled on what players and coaches wear due to the new conditions.
