Johnny Manziel bids for new phrase
Former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel is setting himself up to cash in for the future. In line to eventually secure the 'Johnny Football' trademark, Manziel's team filed for more trademarks recently, including 'The House That Johnny Built.'
But just like the trademark for 'Johnny Football,' Manziel is actually second in line and the person that is first might raise eyebrows among Aggies fans.
Fitch Estate Sales, a company owned by the family of Nathan Fitch, Manziel's friend who was with the quarterback at many of his autograph signings that resulted in a half game suspension, was first to the phrase.
Fitch's mother, Rachel, declined to comment. Her attorney Gerald Fowler told ESPN.com that it was his understanding that Nate and Johnny were going to use the mark together.
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'My guess is that there was a lack of communication here,' Fowler said.
Both Fitch Estate Sales, which filed for the trademark in December, and Manziel, whose company filed a month later, both submitted to the US Trademark & Patent Office that they intended to use the phrase on athletic apparel. Manziel's filing was first reported on Wednesday by TMZ.
If Fitch and Manziel were on the same page, one has to wonder why Manziel's team filed for phrase on their own. Fowler said he hasn't had any conversations with Manziel's attorneys to pursue the business together. Two of Manziel's attorneys contacted by ESPN.com did not return calls.
If Fitch doesn't have approval from Manziel, it might be tough to win the rights. Trademarks that refer to a living individual often have to be approved by that person.
Lack of permission is what stopped Kenneth R. Reynolds Investments from being able to trademark 'Johnny Football.' The firm, based in College Station, Texas, filed for the 'Johnny Football before Manziel did, but the US Trademark & Patent Office ultimately said they needed the consent of Manziel, which they did not get. Last week, the firm agreed to assign its 'Johnny Football' rights to Manziel, allowing Manziel's application -- which had been suspended on Dec. 31 -- to proceed.
Fowler said the trademark -- obviously a play on the famous Babe Ruth-Yankee Stadium phrase -- was a reference to the renovation of Texas A&M's Kyle Field, a $450 million project, which will expand seating capacity to 102,500 and is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2015 football season. A Texas A&M official did not immediately return a call seeking comment as to whether Manziel had discussed his trademark filing with the school.
NFL Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders also recently weighed in on the polarizing Manziel.
In an interview with 'The Tom Joyner Show' on Wednesday, Sanders said he 'loves' Johnny Football. However, he said the reason won't accept Manziel is because Johnny Football has 'ghetto tendencies.'
When pressed on the subject, Sanders expanded what he meant by ghetto tendencies had to do with Manziel being 'cocky, flamboyant' and not being shy about telling others of his success.
ESPN.com Sports Business reporter
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