I own a store in downtown Cleveland selling sports apparel.

I notice that Google is filled with Chinese counterfeit websites selling NFL jerseys.

This problem seems to grow rather than shrink. Instead of tackling this problem the NFL is trying to restrict online sales of NFL jerseys by legitimate Reebok accounts.

Reebok recently distributed letters to retailers notifying them that to continue selling NFL jerseys online you must apply to the NFL for permission. The basic requirement for brick and mortar stores with a website is that they bought over $2,000,000 wholesale NFL product in 2009.

For web only stores it is $3,000,000 and then the NFL wants a 13.75% cut of NFL sales next season.

It is obvious this program is to protect the huge salaries and stock options of the executives running nflshop.com and other huge online merchants. Most are controlled by GSIC. Look up what these executives earn at Yahoo Finance.

The hardworking individual store owners that service the local communities and maybe sell a few jerseys online will be screwed.

Picture my small store in Cleveland or similar stores in Detroit selling Browns or Lions jerseys. They have to struggle with losing records, traded and injured players, and changing designs. If they sell a few jerseys online they now risk closure of their Reebok account.

Also will you even have a Reebok salesperson left to service your account or will they all be let go if the NFL succeeds in closing individual accounts that choose to continue selling online.

If the NFL instituted this policy in 1999 so be it. But now 10 years later there are 1,000's of legitimate local Reebok dealers that have had websites for years. They service the customer while NFLshop.com just wants the money. The local shop owner talks sports with their customers and maybe knocks a few dollars off a jersey for the laid off factory worker. nflshop.com talks how much can we get you to spend with us and our corporate partners.

The greed of the NFL is astounding that in these trying economic times they only care about their huge online partners instead of the small local store that has supported the NFL for years.

If this policy affects you tell the NFL, tell your Reebok rep, tell your local media, and tell your congressman and senators but most of all tell your customers.

Sincerely,
The Jersey Trader

I own a store in downtown Cleveland selling sports apparel.

I notice that Google is filled with Chinese counterfeit websites selling NFL jerseys.

This problem seems to grow rather than shrink. Instead of tackling this problem the NFL is trying to restrict online sales of NFL jerseys by legitimate Reebok accounts.

Reebok recently distributed letters to retailers notifying them that to continue selling NFL jerseys online you must apply to the NFL for permission. The basic requirement for brick and mortar stores with a website is that they bought over $2,000,000 wholesale NFL product in 2009.

For web only stores it is $3,000,000 and then the NFL wants a 13.75% cut of NFL sales next season.

It is obvious this program is to protect the huge salaries and stock options of the executives running nflshop.com and other huge online merchants. Most are controlled by GSIC. Look up what these executives earn at Yahoo Finance.

The hardworking individual store owners that service the local communities and maybe sell a few jerseys online will be screwed.

Picture my small store in Cleveland or similar stores in Detroit selling Browns or Lions jerseys. They have to struggle with losing records, traded and injured players, and changing designs. If they sell a few jerseys online they now risk closure of their Reebok account.

Also will you even have a Reebok salesperson left to service your account or will they all be let go if the NFL succeeds in closing individual accounts that choose to continue selling online.

If the NFL instituted this policy in 1999 so be it. But now 10 years later there are 1,000's of legitimate local Reebok dealers that have had websites for years. They service the customer while NFLshop.com just wants the money. The local shop owner talks sports with their customers and maybe knocks a few dollars off a jersey for the laid off factory worker. nflshop.com talks how much can we get you to spend with us and our corporate partners.

The greed of the NFL is astounding that in these trying economic times they only care about their huge online partners instead of the small local store that has supported the NFL for years.

If this policy affects you tell the NFL, tell your Reebok rep, tell your local media, and tell your congressman and senators but most of all tell your customers.

Sincerely,
The Jersey Trader