I would like to share my knowledge and experience on game used / worn jerseys. My main interest is football, but also hockey and baseball. I would like to caution newcomers to the game used hobby...this is a hobby for the experienced, It is truly enjoyable, but make sure you educate yourself before diving in. It is very possible to make money in this hobby, but you should not buy jerseys with that intention. Buy the jerseys because you like them first and foremost!

When looking to purchase a game worn jersey educate yourself about the specific player before making the purchase. Here are some things to look for that will help authenticate what you are buying.

1) Is the jersey the proper cut, meaning if the player wears custom sleeves, does this jersey have them?

2) Is the jersey the proper size, that the respective player wears?

3) Are their signs of game use? The more use (team repairs, dirt marks, etc.) the better chance it has been worn. Look for identifiers like year tags (they will differ depending on year and team). Also is it the correct manufacturer, for example all NFL jerseys will have an inner tag showing that the jersey was made in Berlin, Wisconsin. Also, don't be afraid to ask the seller where they got the jersey.

4) Check other sources to compare. A great website is Gettyimages. You can search for a specific player, and get a lot of different views of their jersey. Compare that jersey to the one your looking to buy.

5) Be careful with jerseys that don't show any wear. It's not uncommon that certain jerseys are floating around out there that aren't game worn. Teams keep a lot of extra "blanks" lying around in case they need them. Someone can have them made in to whatever player they want. It may be an actual game issued jersey, but does not mean that player ever even touched it. Ask questions before you buy.

6) Finally...don't be fooled by COA/LOA. A certificate is only as good as the person that is behind it. Provenance is huge in this hobby, but be sure the source is reputable. On the flipside don't be afraid to buy something that does not have a COA if you know what you're looking for. Often times you can get a great deal this way.  A couple places that I trust are Meigray, the league auctions, and team sales.

I'll be adding more in the future, but I hope this helps. Feel free to contact me through Ebay if there is a specific question. I would be glad to help.