Minneapolis, MN – Super Bowl LII (52) is set to kickoff at 5:30 p.m. (CST) on Sunday, Feb. 4, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The AFC Champion New England Patriots will square off against the NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles in what will surely be an aerial onslaught of passing skills exhibited by the teams’ respective signal-callers: five-time SB Champion Tom Brady and sixth-year journeyman gunslinger Nick Foles.
But before either QB takes a snap from center, the battle against fraudulent SB52 game-used memorabilia will already be underway, thanks to PSA/DNA. In its ongoing efforts to combat sports memorabilia counterfeiters, PSA/DNA will be “tagging” with synthetic DNA ink each of the approximately 100 footballs earmarked to be used during Super Bowl 52 as well as select sideline end zone pylons and the official two-tone coin that will be used in the pre-game coin toss. The nearly unnoticeable marks serve as a counterfeit deterrent and are virtually impossible to replicate.
As it has for more than a decade, the NFL is entrusting its on-field anti-counterfeit measures to PSA/DNA (www.PSADNA.com) the world’s largest memorabilia authentication company. Prior to the game, an official PSA/DNA representative will mark each ball, select sideline endzone pylons and the coin toss coin with the company’s proprietary synthetic DNA, visible only when illuminated by a specific laser frequency.
Following Super Bowl 52, a portion of the PSA/DNA-authenticated items will be auctioned off on www.nflauction.nfl.com to benefit the NFL and various team charities. The remaining items will be split between the Patriots and Eagles organizations.
“There’s no bigger game on the planet than the Super Bowl,” said PSA/DNA Vice President Steve Sloan, “and nothing gets you closer to the action on the field than a game-used item.”
Counterfeiters will have a very tough time trying to duplicate the authentication company’s synthetic DNA technology, as each marking has a 1-in-33 trillion chance of being accurately reproduced.
“PSA/DNA’s proprietary technology enables us to stay one big step ahead of the counterfeiters,” added Sloan.
PSA is the world’s largest trading card, autograph and memorabilia authentication and grading service. Since 1991, PSA experts have examined and certified over 29 million collectibles with a combined value of over $1 billion. For additional information, visit www.PSADNA.com.