As Trademark Bid Fails, Athletics Continue Building for Las Vegas Move

The United States Patent and Trademark Office has again rejected trademark applications for the names “Las Vegas Athletics” and “Vegas Athletics,” determining that the proposed marks do not meet the standards required for registration.

In a decision issued Dec. 29, the USPTO reaffirmed an earlier refusal, finding that the names are primarily geographically descriptive and therefore ineligible for inclusion on the Principal Register. According to the examining attorney, the dominant portion of each mark refers to Las Vegas, a widely recognized geographic location, while the term “Athletics” is considered generic when applied to professional sports teams.

The office defined “athletics” as physical activities such as sports and exercise, concluding that the combined terms simply describe a professional sports organization located in Las Vegas rather than serving as a distinctive identifier of source. As a result, the marks were found to lack the necessary distinctiveness under federal trademark law.

The Athletics ownership group attempted to overcome the refusal by citing existing trademarks that include the word “Athletics,” including prior registrations tied to the team’s historical names in Philadelphia, Kansas City, and Oakland, as well as a stylized Athletics logo. The USPTO rejected this argument, noting that each trademark application is reviewed independently and that earlier approvals do not require the office to approve new filings.

Meanwhile, the Athletics continue preparations for their planned relocation to Las Vegas, with a new ballpark scheduled to open in 2028. As part of that effort, the franchise has focused on securing long-term commitments from key players.

The team recently announced a seven-year contract extension with outfielder Tyler Soderstrom, marking the third long-term player agreement completed in the past year. Team officials said the move reflects a broader strategy to build a competitive core ahead of the franchise’s transition to Las Vegas.

Athletics leadership stated that the organization aims to enter its new home with a stable roster and competitive outlook, emphasizing continuity, player development, and long-term planning as central goals during the lead-up to the ballpark’s opening.

Original Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office, FOX5 Las Vegas