• Loading stock data...
Monday, October 20, 2025
Law

New Commanders Mascot Could Lead to Trademark Battle

  • Attorney for five original members of the Hogs vowed a trademark fight on Monday.
  • Commanders are set to announce new mascot at Sunday’s regular season home finale.
Washington Commanders fans wearing hog costumes
Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Commanders’ unveiling of their new mascot could lead to a trademark fight with five legendary former players. 

The choices are a dog and a hog — the latter was trademarked in July by O-Line Entertainment, an LCC formed by original Hogs Joe Jacoby, Mark May, John Riggins, Fred Dean, and Doc Walker. The new mascot is slated to be announced during Sunday’s home game against the Browns.

“If they go forward on Sunday and make the hog their mascot and try to trademark it, we are going to be forced into trademark infringement litigation,” O-Line Entertainment attorney Seth Berenzweig told Front Office Sports. 

“We’ve made it very clear to them that we believe they’d be infringing on the trademark, and they need to arrange a licensing deal with the players. They have refused to do that.”

Berenzweig threatened legal action in a news release on Monday ahead of the team’s celebration of the Hogs’ 40th anniversary on Sunday. 

Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder standing at podium talking to media

Owners Privately Expect Dan Snyder to Sell Commanders

There was not much talk about Dan Snyder publicly at NFL meeting.
December 14, 2022

“We are planning a celebration of the greatest offensive line ever to play the game,” the Commanders said in a statement. “The Hogs are a key part of our franchise’s history and we want to keep their legacy alive with the next generation of fans. We have been working with the Hogs on this event for six months and look forward to welcoming them and Coach Gibbs back.”

The Hogettes, a once-prominent group of fans, are also slated to return to FedEx Field Sunday after a few dormant seasons. 

There was a fan vote earlier this year that narrowed the species of the team’s mascot down to a dog or hog. The names of the mascots fans chose included Boss, EZ, Lieutenant, Lil General, Major, Tuddy, Winstan, or “other.”

O-Line Entertainment filed for two trademarks last summer: Hogs and Original Hogs. Both are expected to have an initial response from the USPTO within the next several weeks. 

Even if the team taps the pig (or hog) as the mascot, trademark attorney Zak Kurtz told FOS that Commanders could have the advantage in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

“Unless they’re commercially using the words ‘OG Hogs’ or ‘Original Hogs,’ it would be a tough claim to win if the Commanders challenged them,” said Kurtz, founder of the firm Sneaker & Streetwear Legal Services. “Even then, Washington could probably prevail. The team could say, ‘We had ownership to it first.’”

The team hasn’t challenged the trademark, and a source with knowledge of the situation told FOS that the Commanders have no plans to use the Hogs for financial gain. 

The Commanders had a trademark for Hogs that was abandoned in 1991, but Kurtz said the team could argue that it used the trademark first if faced with a legal challenge by the former players.

The team already faces two lawsuits filed by the D.C Attorney General’s Office as team owner Dan Snyder is exploring a sale of the franchise he purchased in 1999. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jannik Sinner’s $6M Saudi Payday Tops Any Grand Slam Purse

The other five participants received $1.5 million.
@chef__tezz/Instagram

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.

Featured Today

May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive
October 10, 2025

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
[Subscription Customers Only] Jun 19, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; Botafogo owner John Textor before the match during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Rose Bowl Stadium.

John Textor Loses Bid to End $97M Suit Tied to Failed Soccer..

Textor told FOS he intends to appeal; Iconic Sports intends to collect.
Apr 9, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; The Chicago Cubs flag sign is seen prior to a game between the Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field
October 15, 2025

Facial Recognition Tech Suit Against Cubs Dismissed

The Cubs said they don’t use the technology protected by Illinois law.
FBI
October 17, 2025

Former Everton Bidder Indicted for $500 Million Fraud Scheme

777 Partners failed to complete its purchase of Everton in 2023.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Feb 4, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and Toronto Raptors forward Jonathon Mogbo (2) chase after a loose ball during the second half at Scotiabank Arena.
October 13, 2025

Knicks, Raptors Agree to Drop Suit Over ‘Mole’ Accused of Stealing

The Knicks had sought more than $10 million in damages.
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Recording artist Kendrick Lamar performs during the halftime show of Super Bowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs at Ceasars Superdome.
October 10, 2025

Judge Dismisses Drake’s Super Bowl Defamation Suit

The judge said diss tracks aren’t considered facts.
Oct 7, 2018; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) and Miami Dolphins free safety Reshad Jones (20) talk with each other after the Bengals defeated the Dolphins at Paul Brown Stadium.
October 10, 2025

Former Dolphins Safety Lands $9.5M Settlement in Advisor Theft Case

Reshad Jones accused his former financial advisor of stealing almost $2.6 million.
Aug 19, 2022; Delaware, OH, USA; More than 1,700 Olentangy Berlin High School students celebrate being named ‘Most Spirited High School in the Country’ by Varsity Brands. The school celebrated with a pep rally in the auditorium.
October 9, 2025

Varsity Brands, PE Owner Face $200M Suit Claiming Systemic Sexual Abuse

Defendants are accused of a coordinated conspiracy.