A’s Trademark Requests Denied as Las Vegas Move Approaches

The Oakland Athletics’ plans to rebrand as the “Las Vegas Athletics” have hit a snag, as the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has initially denied their applications to trademark the names “Las Vegas Athletics” and “Vegas Athletics.” This decision comes as the team prepares for its planned relocation to Las Vegas in 2028.

Trademark Concerns and the “Athletics” nickname

According to reports, the USPTO deemed the nickname “Athletics” too generic, raising concerns it might very well be confused with general athletic activities even when associated with Las Vegas. This is despite the team having used the “Athletics” moniker since its inception as the Philadelphia Athletics in 1901, continuing through moves to Kansas City in 1955 and Oakland in 1968.

Recent Precedent and Similar Cases

This isn’t an isolated incident. The USPTO recently denied a trademark request from the NHL’s new Utah team for the nickname “Yetis,” citing potential confusion with existing companies like Yeti Coolers. The utah team has since adopted the nickname “Mammoth.” This demonstrates the USPTO’s scrutiny of potentially ambiguous or commonly used names.

A’s Current Situation and Stadium Progress

Currently, the A’s are playing as simply “Athletics” while temporarily located in West Sacramento, California, for three seasons at a Triple-A ballpark.However, construction is well underway on a $2 billion, 33,000-capacity stadium on the Las Vegas Strip, with officials stating it remains on schedule for a 2028 opening [Review-Journal].

Financial Backing and Player investments

The stadium project is supported by up to $380 million in public funds from Nevada and Clark County, with the A’s responsible for covering the remaining costs. Team owner John Fisher is actively seeking investors to help finance the project.

Despite the trademark issue, the A’s have been actively investing in their roster in preparation for the move. Recent player contracts include:

• Tyler Soderstrom: A seven-year, $86 million deal, the richest in team history, signed December 30th at the A’s Experience Center in Las Vegas.
• Jeff McNeil: Acquired from the New York Mets on December 22nd.
• Brent Rooker: A five-year, $60 million contract.
• Lawrence Butler: A seven-year, $65.5 million contract.

Manager Mark Kotsay also received a contract extension through 2028,with a club option for 2029.

Next Steps for the A’s Trademark Application

The A’s have three months from December 29th, 2025, to request an extension and file a new application. The outcome of this process will be crucial as the team continues its preparations for its highly anticipated move to Las Vegas.

published: 2026/01/07 19:37:30