ACB and ACA issue warning over unofficial, unlicensed merchandise & memorabilia

The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) and the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) have issued a warning to consumers about unofficial merchandise and memorabilia that may be available.

The two bodies have joined together in urging those consumers wanting to buy cricket memorabilia to look for the ACB logo on the product and both the ACB and ACA logos on a certificate of authenticity.

The ACB has appointed Elite Sports Properties (ESP) as its memorabilia partner and ESP will be responsible for the ACB's memorabilia program.

ACB Chief Executive Malcolm Speed said: "This program has been put in place to protect players, consumers and the ACB.

"Unofficial cricket merchandise and memorabilia is not produced by the ACB but it still reflects on the game and if the quality of those items is sub-standard that reflection is a bad one.

"Buying a product with the ACB's logo on it will be a guarantee of quality for the consumer.

"And they will also be ensuring that the money they spend in buying that product will be going back into the game," Speed added.

ACA Chief Executive Tim May said: "We are concerned that the achievements of players are being exploited as unofficial merchandise which offers them no reward is being produced.

"It is only right that players are properly rewarded for their efforts and that will happen if the public buys only official merchandise and memorabilia."