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Sports Law Trademarks

The Importance Of Athlete Trademark Protection

Recently, former San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills linebacker, Shawne Merriman, and his company, Lights Out Holdings, LLC, moved for summary judgment in their fight to prohibit Nike from using or associating with Merriman’s nickname, “Lights Out.” In the motion, Merriman seeks up to $18 million in statutory damages, in addition to attorneys’ fees and […]

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Sports Law

Louisiana Is Not So Easy On Fantasy Sports

Participation in fantasy sports has dramatically increased throughout the years especially with daily fantasy sites like DraftKings and FanDuel providing services to millions of participants every day. Louisiana is one of five states where participating in fantasy sports for money is clearly against the law. Louisiana outlawed gambling by computer in 1997, which would include participating […]

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Contracts Sports Law

How Bucking The Trend Of Handshake Deals Can Improve The Equestrian Sport Industry

Transactions in the equine industry often involve animals worth thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars. These transactions get especially daunting in the world of equine sports; the average selling price of a horse at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale – the nation’s premiere Thoroughbred auction – was $130,780, with 18 yearlings selling for $1 […]

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Intellectual Property Sports Law Trademarks

Patriots RB LeGarrette Blount Earns Trademark

HEITNER LEGAL filed the trademark application and handled all necessary follow-up tasks with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount.  The trademark, ‘Blount Force Trauma’ has received full registration on the principal register.  Blount will be able to move forward with federal protection when he uses the phrase […]

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Contracts Sports Law

HEITNER LEGAL Helps Jon Jones Score DraftKings Partnership

DraftKings, Inc., the largest U.S.-based destination for daily fantasy sports, today unveiled Daily Fantasy MMA, the biggest daily fantasy contest for mixed martial arts. The company also announced an exclusive marketing partnership with light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones. To celebrate the launch, DraftKings is offering its players a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime experience […]

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Sports Law Trademarks

Bill Raftery Hires HEITNER LEGAL for Innovative Trademark Work

Popular sports commentator Bill Raftery is well known for his use of flamboyant words and phrases on the air.  The most popular of said words and phrases include “Onions” and “With a Kiss.”  When Raftery came to HEITNER LEGAL inquiring whether he could seek trademark protection of each, HEITNER LEGAL quickly got to work regarding […]

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Sports Law

Looking At Appealing Denial Of NFLPA Contract Advisor Certification

The mandatory seminar and exam for those attempting to fulfill their childhood dreams of becoming a National Football League Players’ Association (NFLPA) Contract Advisor – more commonly known as an NFL player agent – was held on July 24-25. Now, roughly eight weeks later, many hopefuls are beginning to learn whether or not they achieved […]

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Contracts Sports Law

Morals Clauses: Who’s The Judge?

Companies take on an extreme amount of risk when contracting with professional athletes and/or celebrities to endorse their products. As soon as both sides are able to come to a mutual understanding regarding the terms and conditions that will be contained in the agreement, the athlete immediately becomes a spokesperson serving as one of the […]

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Sports Law Trademarks

Johnny Trademark

Johnny Manziel, also known as “Johnny Football,” has not yet taken a National Football League regular season snap.  However, that has not stopped the Heisman Trophy winner from filing applications in an effort to seek federal trademark protection over a variety of phrases.  Of course, “Johnny Football” is one of the many phrases that Manziel […]

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Contracts Sports Law

Cole Seely Signs With American Honda

American Honda Motor Corp., Inc. announced that it has signed Cole Seely to its factory supercross/motocross team with a multiyear contract. As a member of the Troy Lee Designs Honda satellite squad, Seely this year finished a close second in the AMA Supercross series 250 West title chase and also performed well during three appearances […]