From the link:
"The National Football League filed a federal lawsuit yesterday against two area businesses, alleging they sold unlicensed Super Bowl merchandise."
"This suit is part of an ongoing effort to protect fans from inferior merchandise” McCarthy said.
LINK: https://www.baltimoresun.com/2001/01/20/nfl-sues-local-businesses-claims-trademark-violation/
“This suit is part of an ongoing effort to protect fans from inferior merchandise” McCarthy said.
Translation: “This suit is part of an ongoing effort to protect the NFL from lower profits.”