MLBP and the Rockies, along with local and federal law
enforcement, announced efforts to crack down on all
counterfeit merchandise in the Denver area during All-Star
Week, July 3-7. Those guilty of manufacturing or selling
counterfeit merchandise are subject to fines of up to $5M,
10 years in prison, or both (MLB). U.S. Attorney Henry
Solano: "Don't test us. We're out there" (DENVER POST,7/1).
Q&A: MLBP's recently named VP/Licensing, Howard Smith,
is interviewed in SPORTING GOODS BUSINESS. Smith: "I think
what baseball will be looking to do is bring in significant
marketing partners that may not be geared to drive a
licensing business as much as marketing the game, or a team.
The NFL has brought in the likes of Nike and Reebok and
Adidas, and although they want to pump up the licensed
business, those relationships are really predicated on
marketing the game. ... Baseball needs to do the same
thing." Smith called the Yankees-adidas deal a "unique
situation," because adidas is investing "in the team. I'd
love to see other licensees and marketing partners get
heavily involved with teams." At the local level, Smith
said, "What I'd like to see are strong marketing
relationships established for each and every team so when
you go into that market and into a major sporting goods
retailer or specialty shop, you can cut through the clutter
and clearly define who the home town team is" (SGB, 6/22).
