The new-look USFL is scheduled to kick off April 16 with eight teams and a hefty dose of nostalgia for the original league. That is unless it is forced to do so under a different name.
Former USFL team owners and league executive, Steve Ehrhart, filed a federal trademark lawsuit against the new league, arguing it utilized logos, names and color patterns the league doesn’t have the rights to.
In fact, the suit, which seeks a court ruling enjoining the new league from using USFL and other trademarks, calls the startup an “unabashed counterfeit.”
“In spite of its full knowledge of at least 11 years’ continuous use of the USFL marks, Fox has continued marketing its counterfeit league as a ‘relaunch’ of the USFL,” the lawsuit reads. The new league is owned by Fox Sports. A spokesman for the league could not immediately be reached for comment.
The original USFL lasted from 1983 to 1985 and featured many stars such as Herschel Walker, Doug Flutie, Reggie White and Steve Young. The spring league famously sued the NFL, winning a $3 verdict, and then went out of business.
According to the lawsuit, the intellectual property has since been under the stewardship of Ehrhart. “Over the years, Mr. Ehrhart has also worked to preserve the USFL’s legacy by, among other things, organizing league and team reunions, and authorizing and appearing in (a) 30 for 30 documentary,” the lawsuit read. “Relevant here, Mr. Ehrhart has also entered into certain media licensing arrangements on behalf of the USFL for apparel, books and other media.”
The lawsuit states that in 2011, Ehrhart inked a USFL licensing deal with American Classics, a wholesaler of licensed entertainment apparel. The lawsuit alleges the USFL trademark was not defunct, a point sure to be made by Fox when it responds.
