Rapper Snoop Dogg's line of marijuana and cannabis-related products called Leafs by Snoop may have a court battle on its hands with an NHL franchise.
According to TSN's Rick Westhead, MLSE -- the parent company of the Toronto Maple Leafs -- filed court papers objecting to the marijuana company's logo. The exact reason for MLSE's dissension is unknown because it has requested more time to submit a detailed opposition.
Leafs by Snoop features a logo with a seven-pointed leaf and the company's name written over the top in white letters. The Toronto hockey club's logo features a leaf with 31 points and similar white lettering over the top.
Representatives from both the marijuana company and the hockey team declined to comment, so TSN turned to Christopher Sprigman, a professor at the New York University School of Law who specializes in issues of intellectual property. Sprigman isn't convinced MLSE has a case.
"The Maple Leafs might say that their brand has been tarnished by confusion over Snoop's new logo. That's quaint but a tough argument. I don't see a lot of overlap between Colorado pot smokers and Maple Leafs fans," Sprigman said.
And they'll have a tough time proving that enough people know about the Leafs logo to confuse it with the marijuana company's.
"The Maple Leafs would have to successfully argue that the general U.S. consuming public -- elderly adults, young adults and children across the country -- are familiar with and identify with the Leafs logo. I don't think that's true. Maybe in hockey markets, but I really don't see the Leafs being a familiar brand in Iowa or Arkansas or other nonhockey cities."
Owner in chief?
Much has been made of what might be next for President Barack Obama after he leaves the White House in January. According to press secretary Josh Earnest, becoming an NBA owner is an option.
Earnest said Wednesday that the president, well-known for being a big fan of Chicago sports teams, has "discussed" being part of an ownership group of an NBA franchise. Earnest added that Obama would pursue the opportunity "potentially ... under the right circumstances."
Obama, 54, previously has expressed an interest in becoming an NBA owner, telling GQ magazine in November that he "absolutely" would want to be part of an NBA ownership group.
"I have fantasized about being able to put together a team and how much fun that would be," he said in the GQ interview. "I think it'd be terrific."
Subhead here
Fan voting began Thursday among seven finalists on the new team name for the New Orleans Zephyrs, the Class AAA affiliate of the Miami Marlins.
The team received more than 2,000 submissions from fans during a campaign last month to rename the franchise for the 2017 season.
In alphabetical order, the seven finalists are:
• New Orleans Baby Cakes
• New Orleans Crawfish
• New Orleans King Cakes
• New Orleans Night Owls
• New Orleans Po'boys
• New Orleans Red Eyes
• New Orleans Tailgators
Just think, a team named the New Orleans Night Owls has uniforms with "NONO" on them and a pitcher throws a no-hitter. The internet meme possibilities are endless.
Sports quiz
How did the Toronto Maple Leafs come up with their name?
Answer
The Maple Leafs are named after the Maple Leaf Regiment, a Canadian fighting unit in World War I.
Sports on 06/24/2016