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NFL Takes Issue With USFL’s Michigan Panthers Trademark

We have covered in the past Trademark oppositions between the NFL and XFL. Now the NFL’s Carolina Panthers have taken issue with the USFL’s trademarked name of the Michigan Panthers. Thanks to XNH fan Seth Lessans for this bit of info.

This opposition is interesting because three entities actually have rights to the USFL’s trademark Michigan Panthers name. The Spring League is one, and The National Spring Football League is another. From what we understand, The National Spring Football League is owned by Fox. Brian Woods owns The Spring League. The NFL has taken issue with The Spring League-owned name, not the Fox-owned name.

We assume that the transitions of rights from The Spring League to the National Spring Football League aka Fox, have not gone through yet, which is why we see this.

It is also interesting that the XFL’s Defenders name is a finalist for the Washington Football Teams new name, but the NFL doesn’t have an issue with using an XFL-owned Trademark.

The Michigan Panthers and DC Defenders have yet to play a down of football, so we will see how all this plays out in the coming weeks as both leagues begin to ramp up. The USFL expects to kick off Friday, April 15th 2022. In contrast, the XFL looks to return to the field in 2023.


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Mark Perry, a passionate sports journalist and the founder and editor of XFL News Hub, has been at the forefront of covering the XFL since its revival in 2018. Within days of the XFL's announced return, Mark initiated XFL News Hub to keep the fans abreast of every detail, game, and development of the league. Mark's extensive knowledge of the sport, combined with his unwavering dedication to providing comprehensive and accurate reporting, has made XFL News Hub the go-to platform for all things related to the XFL. His work over the years has brought him recognition in the world of sports journalism, solidifying his place as a leading voice in XFL coverage. Beyond just reporting, Mark believes in fostering a community around the XFL, engaging fans through his innovative content and discussions. If you have any inquiries, comments, or insights you'd like to share, Mark welcomes you to contact him directly at mark.perry@xflnewshub.com.

3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. Kev Oslmer

    October 25, 2021 at 4:16 pm

    The Michigan Panthers have played a down of football back in 1983 and 84 and the DC Defenders played downs in 2020. So your comment neither team has played a down of football is highly incorrect.

  2. Mark

    October 25, 2021 at 10:11 pm

    The usfl Panthers were around years before the Carolina Panthers, it’s trademarked and the new league has ownership of it. The NFL shouldn’t have anything to say.

  3. Daniel Roberts

    November 5, 2021 at 8:34 am

    Hey Carolina Panthers, you’re not the New England Pats or the SF 49ers. You have 0 Super Bowls. KEEP YOUR STUPID MOUTHS SHUT!

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