TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – This week, the University of Arizona’s campus store commenced sales of its initial official Final Four merchandise deliveries, experiencing continuous purchases as supporters gear up for the Wildcats’ first semifinal game in a quarter-century.
Campus store staff noted an overwhelming demand, leading to numerous items quickly selling out. This scarcity has prompted fans to search for merchandise from unlicensed vendors and various online platforms.
“There’s been people who are trying every which way to get it, I don’t blame them,” said Felix Bonha, a campus store employee.
According to Cat Hanson, the Trademarks and Licensing Program Manager at the University of Arizona, the count of unlicensed retailers has doubled since the start of March Madness.
Hanson stated, “You can imagine right now, we’re pretty packed with finding things that are counterfeit products and illegal products.”
Hanson explained that official retailers are required to undergo a rigorous licensing procedure to sell University of Arizona products, guaranteeing that every item adheres to specific quality and safety benchmarks.
“The licensees are, they’re vetted, they’re audited from time to time, we know their supply chain, they’re using countries that source ethically, they’re not involved in child labor,” Hanson confirmed.
Opting for officially licensed vendors also provides consumers protection against fraudulent activities and money laundering schemes.
Consequently, Hanson’s team is collaborating with local law enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, and the National Intellectual Property Rights Center to pinpoint counterfeit operations both physically and digitally.
Customers can contribute to these efforts by making purchases from officially licensed vendors, including the campus store and approved pop-up sites.
Kelly Sauer, general manager of a pop-up store with decades of experience selling University of Arizona merchandise, highlighted crucial methods for discerning authentic products.
Sauer explained, “They have to stamp a hologram sticker on every shirt, you have to have the trademark logos on everything from the block A to the Final Four logo to the March Madness logo.”
While the multicolor hologram tag or sticker serves as the primary identifier, Hanson advised shoppers to also verify correct spelling and colors, ensure the item’s quality, and confirm that “the” precedes “University of Arizona” in the branding.
Hanson also cautioned that if a price appears excessively low, it probably is.
Hanson noted that buying genuine merchandise not only benefits the local community but also contributes financially to the university.
“The money from the royalties that you’ll pay on a product comes to the university in the form of programs for students, student success, athletics, things like that,” Hanson elaborated.
Genuine Arizona merchandise is available at these authorized pop-up locations:
- Campus Store
- Park & Speedway (10 a.m.-4 p.m.)
- Park & 6th St (10 a.m.-4 p.m.)
- Speedway & Campbell (10 a.m.-4 p.m.)
- Maingate (10 a.m.-4 p.m.)
- Football Stadium parking lot (10 a.m.-4 p.m.; 8 a.m.-6 p.m. starting April 6)
- Campbell & 6th (10 a.m.-4 p.m.)
- Hi Corbett parking lot (10 a.m.-4 p.m.; 8 a.m.-6 p.m. starting April 6)
The operating hours for pop-up shops will be 10 a.m.-4 p.m. from Monday, March 30, until Thursday, April 9; however, extended hours (8 a.m.- 6 p.m.) will commence on Monday, April 6, at both Hi Corbett and the football stadium parking lot.
- Additional authorized pop-up locations include:
- Broadway/Rosemont Broadway/Tucson Oracle/Orange Grove Old Spanish Trail/Broadway
- Grant / Tanque Verde (by Scented Leaf)
Should you suspect a retailer of fraudulent practices, you are able to submit an anonymous report via UA’s Counterfeit Reporting Form.
Do you stream 13 News?
Access a complimentary live stream of Tucson Now and 13 News at TucsonNow.Live.
Ensure you download the free Tucson Now application, available on both Apple and Google.
Desktop users can utilize their mobile devices to scan the QR code provided below.
Feel free to submit your breaking news or weather images here.
© 2026 13 News. All rights reserved.