The Summer of the Phony Leak
Presumably, you visit Icethetics to keep abreast of the latest hockey jersey and logo news. It stands to reason that you'd also count on this site to set the record straight when something is amiss. That's today's topic.
Leaking unreleased designs is by no means a priority here, but it happens on occasion — as seen yesterday with the new Ottawa Heritage Jersey. It's not my purpose to foul up any team's marketing plans. However, this summer has been especially lousy with "leaks" that aren't really leaks at all.
It's all thanks to a bunch of halfwits who aren't clever enough to find an honest way of making money. They sell cheap knock-offs of NHL jerseys. But this is old news. The new trend over the last few years seems to be these manufacturers turning fan-made, Internet-posted concepts into "authentic" merchandise.
Over the past few weeks, I've been inundated with emails from readers convinced that one of these aforementioned outfits has leaked the Winnipeg Jets or 2012 Winter Classic jerseys. Time for me to step in.
The apparent Winnipeg Jets jersey "leak" that's been floating around the web is nothing more than a mutation of Columbus Blue Jackets jerseys.
Alleged Jets leak is nothing more than a recolored Blue Jackets jersey
It doesn't take a trained eye to see this is a Photoshop job, not an official photo that's been leaked. The collar on both jerseys is a dead ringer for the collar on the official Reebok photo of the Blue Jackets' home jersey. Almost everything below the collar is taken directly from the official photo of Columbus' third jersey. Only the stripes and colors have been altered.
If you're still not seeing it, study some of the details. Look at the creases and the way the sleeves hang. There's no question it's a direct copy. Even the stripes along the waist line up perfectly with the Jackets jersey. And to make all of this moot, True North chairman Mark Chipman has already said these are not the jerseys. He didn't say "no comment," he said this isn't the design. Take that for what it's worth.
Having made my point, I should also say that I haven't seen the design of the official Jets' uniforms, so I can't say with any certainty that they won't look anything like this. They might, though I highly doubt it. (I also doubted the logo leak an hour before I was proven wrong so there's that.)
The alleged 2012 Winter Classic jersey "leaks" bouncing around are based off of a concept posted on Icethetics in June.
Phony Winter Classic 2012 jerseys based on concept art
As you can plainly see, these jerseys were born out of a concept created by DC Visual Arts, which I posted on the blog in June. Not only have they ripped off the jersey designs — which, let's be honest, are not all that original in the first place, but rather based on historical sweaters — but they've even used the guy's Winter Classic logo.
Quakers-based Flyers concepts have been all over the place as have white Rangers jerseys with the logo instead of the wordmark on the front. You can see lots on the Icethetics Concepts page alone. Look, if it comes down to someone just wanting a physical representation of their own design, there are legitimate ways to go about it. But let's call this what it is. These boneheads are saying they're "authentic" just to make a buck. It's embarrassing.
As with the Jets, I'm not saying these designs could not possibly be similar to the 2012 Winter Classic jerseys, but simple fact is, the event hasn't officially been announced yet. We know from the schedule that the Flyers will host the Rangers in the elements on the afternoon of Jan. 2, but who knows whether they'll even have new retro jerseys. In fact, both teams are already wearing throwbacks on a regular basis.
My goal here isn't to be a downer. I'm just trying to help you separate what's real from what's not. You don't have to buy it, but I have offered evidence. And just understand that if/when any NHL uniform design does leak, it certainly won't be coming from an illegitimate Chinese company that makes lousy knock-offs.
Some final thoughts: If you're the sort of person who's eager to hand his money over to an illegal business for a fake NHL jersey, then you lose the right to complain when your team has a shitty season or the owner does anything you don't like — be it snubbing a high-value player or not fixing up a run-down arena. It just makes you a hypocrite. Buy officially licensed merchandise and support your team. That's my bit.
Chris
Time for a follow-up. I've read a number of emails and tweets questioning whether a Chinese counterfeiter would really go to the trouble to produce a jersey based on nothing but a fan-made concept. But to even think that you have to assume they're smart enough to know the difference. Come on.
The answer is, of course they would do that. They've done it before. It was just last year, in fact, that fake Winter Classic jerseys turned up for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals. Unfortunately for anyone who bought one, they were based on nothing more than a concept design.
Fake 2011 Winter Classic jerseys produced based on concept art
Let me take you back through this quickly. It began July 28, 2010 when regular Icethetics contributor Ryan Haslett posted these concepts on his own blog. I assume one of his readers picked them up and re-posted them on a message board or another site that the Chinese counterfeiters like to cruise.
At some point in August or September they went on sale. In late September, I wrote a blog post that proved the Penguins jersey was fake. Not just counterfeit (because that would mean they were based on an official design), but flat-out phony.
The next argument is usually this: "But they got the Capitals' jersey right!" Well, they didn't. Ryan nearly did. The stars across the front are a little too small and the Winter Classic patch goes on the shoulder, not the chest. That aside, let's be honest. This was the only real possibility for a throwback jersey for the Caps. Not a terribly difficult one to predict.
Now, I'll leave you with a look at the actual 2011 Winter Classic jerseys.
Reader Comments (31)
Fake or not those Winter Classic Jersey's are amazing. Hopefully they look something like that when they're released.
I think my favourite giveaway of the Winter Classic jerseys being phoney is the trailing space on the namebar of the Briere jersey ... the name isn't even centered!
I bought one of these Flyers jerseys from one of the Chinese companies.. I follow the blog and had seen the jersey before. The stolen winter classic logo is poor quality but overall it turned out rather nice... I mean nice for a Chinese knock-off. You get what you pay for. Sorry to see DCVA getting ripped, but the reality is I can have this lousy knock-off hang with my authentic Flyers jerseys! More Jerseys = More Fun!
Those Jets jerseys originates from the Jets board on HFboards.com, it's just a fan-made concept.
Actually I found the original post:
http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=35306797&postcount=838
Rangers and Flyers concepts look good, but anyone buying shotty merchandise like those jerseys deserves what they get for paying on the cheap.
The fact that there are people stupid enough to buy counterfeit jerseys is bad enough, but to purchase jerseys that haven't even been officially released yet, it makes me want to shake my head in shame.
As far as the Winter Classic, again, not even officially announced, and people are attempting to cash in. I can tell just off the picture alone that they're fake, as the NHL shield it too low, and is obscured by the neckline.
In addition, while I have no doubt that the Flyers will wear something Quaker inspired, the Rangers are a little more interesting. The Rangers were the last team to introduce a white jersey, in 1951, and looks nearly identical then as it does now (let's throw out those atrocious John Ferguson jerseys). I'm actually thinking, (remember this is speculation, nothing more) that the Rangers might just wear another New York team that folded, the New York Americans. It would keep the theme pretty nicely. It would also be nice to see something original in terms of the jerseys, as the Americans had some of the more, shall I say, loud jerseys in league history.
Every time I see a fan wearing a knock-off jersey, I bust a nut.
Roll up a newspaper and FWAP!
"No! ...You don't do that."
good to see that Mark Messier will be lacing up his skates for the Rangers again this year.....
Everyone complaining about people buying fake jerseys and not supporting their team, well here is the reason I do it.
I play hocket 3-6 times a week, a good number of those times I am wearing my own jersey. I am also a goalie. If the NHL made an affordable jersey that ACTUALLY FIT GOALIES than I would buy one. Do you know how hard it is to get a legitimate Halak goalie cut 3rd jersey made? Oh well basically impossible. Reason being, Reebok wont sell their jerseys in goalie cut with a team logo on it, and you can't find the front logo anywhere to sew on either.
So that means you have to spend $70 for a Chinese made Reebok goalie cut jersey, then $80 for the name/number kit. Then around $70 to get the logo custom made. Or I can get the Chinese made knock-off that isn't perfect, but I can then cut it open on the sides and arms and extend it for $15 to get it to fit over my equipment and not feel bad about "ruining" a good jersey.
If the NHL had any sort of affordable jerseys I'd buy them instead of the fake ones (I do own real ones as well). If they sold a jersey with a name/number for $70-80 I'd buy it in a second. In fact I'd buy a few and NHL would be making more money. I truly believe that in this case lowering your prices would increase profits. For the $30-40 more for the legitimate jersey over the knock-off NHL would cut into the counterfeit business. And people like myself would be able to afford more jerseys and not just the odd "treat" once every 5 years.
I'll buy the licensed shirts and hats and other knick-knacks, but when they decide to come down substantially on player uni's, then i'll buy those licensed. I won't gripe or complain, but then again my team is not in the hunt to be moved anywhere anytime soon. If the knock off looks great and fits the wallet, i'll wear it with no shame.
I only buy legit NHL jerseys but the price of the jerseys makes them a rare purchase. Before the Edge changeover, NHL jerseys sat around the $99 price point and it was easier for me to justify that compared to $129 as it is now.
It makes me sick every time I see fake jerseys worn by fans at Oilers games during the year. It's so brutally noticeable to any real fans eye as to who cheaped out and bought a fake jersey, vs who went out and spent the extra dollar in the merchandise your team wears. To the person who commented above me, I'm not knocking you for buying something cheap for hockey games at all (that would be the day I wore my Eberle jersey in an actual game) - but you can easily buy a practice jersey for hockey instead of a $240 authentic jersey. More jerseys vs the odd treat? How many jerseys do you want? If you have 1 or 2 jerseys to wear to the games or at home/at the bar while watching, that should be enough. You don't need a jersey for every line out there.
@bobert, really? I'm a goalie too, and play with licensed CCM replica jerseys, one a large and one an extra large. Granted, my C/A is a senior small, but I like my jerseys a little snug over my pads. I know for a fact that the NHL shop or reputable shops carry double-extra large jerseys that I'm sure would fit. If you're a really big guy, it may be a bit snug, but you should be arright. Sure, they're not cheap and I haven't had the cash to buy jerseys for a few years, but I treasure the ones I have and use 'em!
As for the fakes, I like the real thing and am happy to hold out for the good stuff. Good on Chris for keeping everybody straight!
I'm not sure why these Jets jerseys constantly need debunking. Has anyone thought they were anything more than a fan concept? When I first saw them I thought they looked alright and I wouldn't mind if they became the real thing, but I didn't think for a second they were anything official. Then there was that story in the Free Press debunking them, and again here.
I own my fair share of jerseys and they are not cheap (as you all know). As a student, it's hard to shell out close to $200 for a jersey. I feel that supporting your team and showing off the colours are much more important that have the top of the line jersey. Do all of you buy authentic shirts and shoes and sunglasses all the time? If you do, then you must have a pretty penny. If your like me, a die hard sports fan with the shoe string budget, these are a great way to show the world your love of your team
I don't buy the fakies but you know I get where the fans who buy them are coming from. Investing in a jersey, especially in most living situations can be considered an irresponsible expense. Buy still buy the authentic jerseys like mad, but really, I think that what it comes down to is you are still supporting the team. Not financially through the purchase of an authentic jersey, but you do show support through wearing the jersey and being part of the atmosphere of hockey games with other fans. Fakes or not, you are repping the colours and I don't see it as a crime if your jersey is less expensive and of "lesser" quality.
As for the above post^^^, the online jersey companies were VERY QUICK to jump onto that design. Very very quick. My friends brought up that they found the concept design already up which surprised me, usually those companies are good with waiting for the official release...maybe the Chinese have some NHL intel and are months ahead of us, who knows ;)
I'm reading a lot of arguments that make no sense, but I'm not going to call anyone out specifically. To clarify my point, however, be a fan, love your team... but I'm offended by the idea that anyone happy to steal from their team (which is essentially what you're doing) and think that's it's ok because their too cheap to save up and buy legally.
And sorry Dave, I lied. You're getting called out but only because you're just above my comment here. The crime isn't that your counterfeit jersey is of a lesser quality (no need for quote marks, it is actually a lesser quality), the crime is that these companies are stealing the trademarks of NHL franchises and ignorant fans are just handing over their money with no idea as to where it's really going.
You buy licensed jerseys because the money that pays your millionaire superstars doesn't come out of thin air. That's all.
It was astounding to see all of the knock-off Canucks jerseys this spring; I know that some knew they were buying fakes for the price, others just don't have a discernible eye for jersey detail, like many of the readers who visit this site have. It got so bad, however, that the team started a campaign called Fight the Fake
Fake Canuck jerseys look worse than most other teams' jerseys. The details in the lettering and fonts are impossible for the knock-offs to replicate. The colours are vastly different than most other blue and green teams as well. I know people want to save money, but the knock-offs look terrible. I don't get the point of of buying something that is of such poor quality. It's like buying a big screen TV and not getting an HD box. What is the point?
As for the jets new uniforms; I hope they look as good as that fan concept. I'm guessing light blue is the home uniform colour though. If not it will be on the third jersey that eventually comes out.
These players don't deserve the amount of money they are paid. Their contribution to society doesn't warrant the salaries they're owed, therefore, I have no problem stealing from the entire NHL. If the NHL wants to get wise and take a look at some books at what these knock off companies are making and want to sell more merch to help keep their franchises from relocation, then they'd lower the price as well as lower the player's salaries. Either way, I think I'm content with my small contribution as being shrewd with my money vs. realizing the terrible markup in the amount of money spent making these products and not supporting the ridiculous profit coming from my dollar. Questioning fan loyalty is where I draw the line, you follow a team and become a fan because your heart is invested in the team, not over making wise money choices.
I'm not questioning anyone's loyalty or saying anything at all about being a fan. I'm saying that if you choose not to spend your money on your team, you forfeit the right to complain when your team's ownership chooses the same.
Beyond that, the argument about buying counterfeits because players are paid to much is ridiculous. Players are paid what the market will bear, end of story. Buying fake jerseys won't change player salaries, it'll just help to make sure your team can't afford them. Obviously my argument is over the top, but you understand what I'm getting at. And there's no excuse that justifies it.
Chris...we're in agreement on the authentic piece of this...I hate counterfeit goods and a lot of money is lost by the NHL, Reebok, retail stores, etc. It's like a self-licking ice cream cone...counterfeits reduce the income of the licensed products, so in turn they raise the prices, which pushes more people towards counterfeits...which again, raises the price of the licensed goods. The only problem...the ice cream here tastes horrible. I think it a bit ridiculous what companies charge for authentic jerseys these days, $300+, (and by authentic I mean, REEBOK EDGE vs. replica jerseys). Obviously...if you want the real deal, you pay through the nose, but do you really feel the price tag, regardless of the increase in counterfeit products, is justified? I guess as long as there are those that pay it (guilty), they'll continue to charge it. Just a bit disappointing...thanks for the commentary.
Jets jersey is missing red big time..
I completely agree with that fact that individuals who want to support their team should purchase a licensed jersey. Jersey's aren't like underwear that you need to change daily. One jersey is fine - no one cares how many you have! That said, I had purchased the new Ducks 3rd Jersey from NHL.com (Canada) and they DON'T EVEN USE TWILL LETTERING! IT'S IRON ON!. And it's only like $25 cheaper (I always use IceJerseys.com but they didn't have it in time for 2010 Christmas). In this case, I'd almost rather purchase a fake if NHL.com (the official store of the NHL) won't even provide game-worn replicas. Fortunately the jersey that was sent to me had grease stains all over it and I got a full refund. But I digress...
If you want to support your team, save the cash to buy ONE jersey... and wear it with pride! Let's just hope that the NHL will realize that maybe charging $210 for a jersey is over the top (considering ticket prices are on the rise) and that in order to reduce the number of fakes, lower them to a reasonable $160.
I completely agree with BMILLER. NHL shop.com is crap. I ordered my daughter a 2011 Penguins winter classic jersey (Premier Jersey) with authentic stitched on lettering. I paid $150 and recieved the cheap youth replica version that doesn't even have the laces in the collar. I had one heck of a time explaining to them the difference between their premier jersey and the cheap replica. Needless to say after much runaround I got a full refund. Two years before that NHL shop.com had a deal on free lettering, so I ordered a powder blue Penguins 3rd jersey expecting it to have the stitched on lettering, when I received it I was very disappointed that it was iron on lettering, they didn't specify this when they had the deal. I will never use NHL Shop.com again and I too now use IceJerseys.com, they sell what they advertise.
i remember comming across those flyers ones, it looks like total crap, especially with the lazy/lousy nameplate job. The Flyers jerseys almost look like a tigger costume (ones they dress up as in Disney world lol) from Winnie the Pooh.
i feel sorry for ryan but at the same time his pengs jersey is sick.im a regular on his blog, so i know what your talking about and its pretty funny.
Hi, regarding this seasons rangers -flyers winter classics Reebok will offer blanks and the customized with the standard "printed appliqué press on twill".
NHL.com , fansedge, etc. do not want to customize jerseys. They want to just pack and ship. It is not profitable for them to customize jerseys with sewn on lettering.
The Penguins and Caps were so bad last season that at our shop we decided to carry the blank jerseys for winter classic game day delivery, then after the game customers can send back to us for the standard 2-3 weeks sewn on customizing.
We are hoping now that Reebok lost the NFL that their NHL offerings are better going forward. We shall find out soon.
Thank You.
To follow up on the "phony" Flyers Winter Classic sweater. Quite a few folks bit on it. When I was in attendance at the Alumni game and walked around the so-called Spectator Plaza there were a noticable amount of the "leaked" Flyers sweater with bad logo.
I think if your going to spend the money on an authentic jersey then costimize it with your name and number. Then youll never have to worry about jersey your get being out of date or that the player on the back got traded.
These are still for sale on some websites.