I don’t think anyone had former NFL quarterback and Hall of Famer Troy Aikman in a court battle with current Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson on their 2024 bingo card but here we are.
According to ESPN, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has filed for or owns several trademarks for his jersey number, although he is contesting a company alias, FL101 Inc., which has also filed for similar trademarks.
Jackson claims that these trademarks by FL101 — a company that lists former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman as a director — attempting to use “EIGHT” would be “likely to cause confusion, or cause mistake, or deceive” the purchasing public, Jackson’s attorney said in a July 9 court filing
A court of appeals said “[Jackson] has expended considerable time, effort, and expense in promoting, advertising, and popularizing the number 8 in connection with his personality and fame” and “is well-known by this number due to his notoriety and fame, along with his promotion of this number in his trademarks and in media coverage.”
Jackson applied or owns trademarks for “Era 8”, “You 8 yet” and “Era 8 by Lamar Jackson.”
Meanwhile, Aikman is attempting to legally own the number that No. 8 won by late Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant and is currently worn by Capitals legend Alex Ovechkin.
Aikman seems to be taking the whole thing in stride saying on X
Hey Lamar – looks like a worthy conversation over a couple cold EIGHT beers!🍺🍺 Maybe Steve Young can arbitrate?? https://t.co/rPLVThmSMg @Lj_era8 @SteveYoungQB @drinkeightbeer @espn pic.twitter.com/M0aDiYka2J
— Troy Aikman (@TroyAikman) July 20, 2024
We will see who will come out on top in the battle of the No. 8s.
{ESPN}
