• Loading stock data...
Friday, August 22, 2025
The biggest names in sports media. All in one room. Buy tickets now!
Law

Logan Paul and Leo Messi’s Drink Companies Are Suing Each Other

The internet personality and soccer star are feuding over hydration drinks, one alleging anti-competitive behavior and the other claiming trademark infringement.

Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Logan Paul and Lionel Messi’s legal battle over hydration drinks escalated this week with Prime Hydration filing a countersuit to the soccer star’s original claims.

Prime Hydration had been threatening to sue over trademark infringement since before Messi’s side filed its original lawsuit in early October, and finally submitted its claim Wednesday.

In June, the Argentine footballer announced his new hydration drink, Más+ by Messi, created by Mark Anthony Brands International, which is the same beverage company that makes White Claw and Mike’s Hard Lemonade. Prime Hydration cofounder JJ Olatunji, better known as KSI, and others soon started pointing out the similarities between the bottle designs on social media. “Looks familiar…” KSI, an influencer and boxer, posted in reference to the new drink.

Mark Anthony International filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of New York on Oct. 8 against Prime Hydration claiming “anticompetitive efforts to monopolize functional design features that are commonplace in the hydration beverage industry.” The suit says Prime sent the company cease-and-desist letters, and claims its competitor’s arguments are invalid because of the variety of colors used in Prime’s special edition designs.

Prime Hydration shot back with a countersuit Wednesday, which detailed how the drink makers intentionally designed a bottle that wouldn’t look like Gatorade, Powerade, Body Armor, or Vitamin Water. The lawsuit also included examples of fans calling Messi’s product similar to Logan Paul’s. Prime Hydration claims that Más+ by Messi bottles appear to come from the same manufacturer, and they use the same colors, design, matching caps, and even copied its slogan with “Replenish Refresh Revive.” Prime Hydration’s line is “Refresh, Replenish, Refuel.”

Paul and KSI launched Prime in January 2022, and the drink has picked up big soccer endorsements from athletes like Erling Haaland and teams like Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and Messi’s former club, FC Barcelona. Other prominent athletes with a Prime deal include Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, Aaron Judge, and Kevin Durant. Some of Prime’s drinks contain caffeine (making them an energy drink), which has brought them some scrutiny from politicians, but none of Messi’s do.

It’s not Prime’s first foray into legal drama this year. In July, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee sued Prime Hydration in federal court for using trademarked phrases like “Olympian” and “Team USA” on its drinks and promotional materials.

Paul, who himself competes in WWE, recently made a widely seen appearance at his brother Jake’s fight against Mike Tyson on Netflix, and was seen spraying Jake’s “W” body spray on his brother after the fight and knocking his hat off his head. In a promotional video, Paul apologized and said he “ruined” his brother’s moment.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Inter Miami bench

Inter Miami Post-Red Card Phone Coaching May Have Been Legal

Javier Mascherano appeared to continue coaching through a call from the stands.

Premier League Sets New Highs: $3.2B Spent, Record U.S. Viewership

The league’s transfer spending beats the rest of Europe’s Big Five combined.
Pat Fitzgerald

Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern Settle Lawsuit Over Firing

Fitzgerald has insisted he had no knowledge of hazing on the team.

Featured Today

Oct 2, 2024; Rosemont, IL, USA; Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti speaks with the media during the 2024 Big Ten Women’s Basketball media day at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.

‘Not Ready to Jump In’: Power 4 Commissioners Aren’t Sold on PE

Top leaders in college sports have yet to see a satisfactory proposal.
Nov 23, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin looks at quarterback Drew Allar (15) during the first quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium.
August 22, 2025

Private Equity Enters College Sports—Without the Equity

As college football starts, lending agreements have become PE’s best way in.
Sep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) returns a kickoff against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half at MetLife Stadium.
August 18, 2025

‘Fauxbacks’ Throw Back to a Retro Uniform That Never Existed

Many throwback jerseys are brand-new designs or “Franken-Unis.”
August 17, 2025

‘Labubu Gang’: The Creepy-Cute Dolls Sweeping Pro Sports

The creepy-cute doll is the hottest collectible—and fashion statement.
Miami Heat logo

Former Heat Security Guard Pleads Guilty to Stealing Team Memorabilia

Prosecutors say he stole game-worn jerseys and sold them online for millions.
Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium.
August 14, 2025

Brian Flores Discrimination Suit Against NFL Can Go to Trial, Court Says

An appeals court ruled the NFL cannot compel Flores into arbitration.
Jun 11, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA;A NCAA logo flag at the NCAA Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field.
August 15, 2025

Transgender Runner Sues Swarthmore, NCAA Over Ban

The suit says state and federal law supercede the NCAA’s transgender policy.
Sponsored

Building A Pro League From Scratch

Front Office Sports and Gainbridge® spotlight what it takes to build a professional women’s soccer league.
Feb 14, 2025; Oakland, California, USA; Denver Nuggets mascot Rocky the Mountain Lion gestures in front of Terrell Owens (81) of Team Rice during the celebrity game ahead of the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Oakland Arena.
August 14, 2025

Former Nuggets Mascot Sues Team for Wrongful Termination

Drake Solomon says he returned from hip surgery to a “hostile work environment.”
Jan 11, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) passes the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC wild card game at M&T Bank Stadium.
August 13, 2025

Lamar Jackson Drops No. 8 Fight Against Troy Aikman

He filed a complaint with the USPTO in July 2024 against Aikman.
Shohei Ohtani
August 12, 2025

Shohei Ohtani, Agent Accused of Tanking $240 Million Hawaii Real Estate Deal

Ohtani had agreed to promote a luxury housing project.
Jon Gruden
August 11, 2025

Jon Gruden Wins Fight With NFL Over Email Leak Arbitration

Gruden wants his fight against the NFL to play out in court.