This weekend in the Men’s NCAA basketball Final Four®, Villanova, Syracuse, Oklahoma, and North Carolina will play to determine who becomes the champion. In my opinion, Nike is already the biggest winner as they sponsor all four teams. And their Always Reppin’ shirts are in the background of so many images and replays from the tournament. Astonishingly, it does not appear that Nike has filed to protect the phrase.
Here are some of the pertinent trademarks for this weekend’s action (click marks/logos for USPTO information):
NRG STADIUM will host the game in Houston, Texas
Syracuse Orange – a unique and memorable team/mascot name.
- ORANGE
- DOME DUDES (pending application)
Villanova Wildcats – not an original mascot/team name
North Carolina Tar Heels – a very unique name (see ‘What’s a Tar Heel?‘)
Oklahoma Sooners – another very unique name with a local significance
