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Patriots and Seahawks fans are furious over merch quality ahead of Super Bowl LX
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- Patriots and Seahawks fans are furious over merch quality ahead of Super Bowl LX
Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images
Patriots and Seahawks fans travelling to Super Bowl LX have been left frustrated by concerns over the quality and availability of official merchandise.
As supporters arrived in California ahead of the NFL's showpiece event, focus quickly shifted from the on-field matchup to dissatisfaction with Super Bowl apparel.
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The situation has prompted a public response from the league's main merchandise partner.
Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images
Fanatics responds to Super Bowl merchandise backlash
Fanatics, the NFL's exclusive partner for Nike-branded consumer jerseys, acknowledged criticism surrounding Patriots and Seahawks Super Bowl merchandise.
The company said demand for jerseys from both teams rose by nearly 400 percent compared to the same period last year, which led to stock shortages and production challenges.
Fanatics maintained that the jerseys on sale are identical to standard Nike Game replicas and stated that the design template has remained unchanged since 2012.
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An apology was issued, along with assurances that inventory would be replenished daily where possible.
Availability and pricing issues surface in San Francisco
Concerns intensified in Santa Clara, where limited selections of Patriots merchandise were available at official Super Bowl retail locations.
Authentic Patriots jerseys were difficult to find, while alternatives priced between $160 and $180 failed to meet expectations.
The Seahawks were also affected, as broader criticism of Fanatics merchandise quality resurfaced during one of the league's highest-profile weeks.
With Super Bowl LX approaching, attention now turns to whether the NFL and its partners can address the issues before kickoff.
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