The Serial Number Trap: Secondhand Dealer Laws and the Hidden Regulatory Risk in Sports Equipment Trade‑In Programs

By Kanika Corley, Team Leader, Sports and Entertainment Sector Team and Partner, Litigation Practice Group, Akerman LLP Executive Summary The rapid expansion of trade‑in, buy‑back, and certified pre‑owned (CPO) programs for serialized sports equipment has created a significant—and often unrecognized—regulatory exposure for retailers, manufacturers, and sports organizations. While frequently treated as marketing or sustainability initiatives, these programs can, in many jurisdictions, t