{"id":98414,"date":"2026-03-31T06:31:50","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T09:31:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/university-of-arizona-warns-fans-about-counterfeit-merchandise-ahead-of-final-four\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T06:31:52","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T09:31:52","slug":"university-of-arizona-warns-fans-about-counterfeit-merchandise-ahead-of-final-four","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/university-of-arizona-warns-fans-about-counterfeit-merchandise-ahead-of-final-four\/","title":{"rendered":"University of Arizona warns fans about counterfeit merchandise ahead of Final Four"},"content":{"rendered":"

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TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – The University of Arizona received its first shipments of official Final Four merchandise this week, and the campus store has been selling items nonstop as fans prepare for the Wildcats\u2019 first semifinal appearance in 25 years.<\/p>\n

Workers at the campus store said demand has been overwhelming, with many items already sold out. The shortage has driven fans to seek merchandise from unauthorized retailers and online stores.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s been people who are trying every which way to get it, I don\u2019t blame them,\u201d said Felix Bonha, a campus store employee.<\/p>\n

Cat Hanson, Trademarks and Licensing Program Manager at the University of Arizona, said the number of unauthorized retailers has doubled since March Madness began.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can imagine right now, we\u2019re pretty packed with finding things that are counterfeit products and illegal products,\u201d Hanson said.<\/p>\n

Hanson said authorized retailers must go through a strict licensing process to sell University of Arizona gear, which ensures that each product meets quality and safety standards. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe licensees are, they\u2019re vetted, they\u2019re audited from time to time, we know their supply chain, they\u2019re using countries that source ethically, they\u2019re not involved in child labor,\u201d Hanson said.<\/p>\n

Purchasing from officially licensed vendors also ensures that buyers are protected from consumer fraud and money laundering. <\/p>\n

That\u2019s why Hanson\u2019s team is working with local law enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, and the National Intellectual Property Rights Center to identify counterfeit businesses in person and online. <\/p>\n

Customers can also help by shopping from officially licensed vendors, such as the campus store or authorized pop-up locations.<\/p>\n

Kelly Sauer, general manager of a pop-up store who has been selling University of Arizona merchandise for several decades, said there are key ways to identify authentic products.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey have to stamp a hologram sticker on every shirt, you have to have the trademark logos on everything from the block A to the Final Four logo to the March Madness logo,\u201d Sauer said.<\/p>\n

The multicolor hologram tag or sticker is the biggest indicator, but Hanson said shoppers should also check that spelling and colors are correct, that the item is good quality, and that the \u201cUniversity of Arizona\u201d has the word \u201cthe\u201d in front of it.<\/p>\n

If the price is too good to be true, Hanson also says it likely is. <\/p>\n

Hanson said purchasing authentic merchandise not only supports the local community but also goes back to the university. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe money from the royalties that you\u2019ll pay on a product comes to the university in the form of programs for students, student success, athletics, things like that,\u201d Hanson said.<\/p>\n

Authentic Arizona merchandise can be purchased at the following authorized pop-up shops:<\/p>\n