Athletics Face Trademark Challenges in Las Vegas Move
The Athletics are making significant strides towards their planned relocation to Las Vegas, though it seems their desired team name might not be feasible.
Reports indicate that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has once again declined the team’s application to trademark “Las Vegas Athletics” and “Vegas Athletics,” ahead of their anticipated move in 2028.
In a filing, the USPTO expressed concerns that the word “Athletics” is too vague and overlaps with other uses, ultimately concluding that it lacks the “acquired distinctiveness” necessary for trademark protection.
The document noted, “Athletics refers to activities like sports, exercise, and games requiring physical skill or stamina. Therefore, pre-registration does not substantiate the applicant’s claim of acquired uniqueness, which is thus not accepted,” as reported.
Despite the franchise’s name dating back to 1901 when it resided in Philadelphia, the USPTO emphasized that its previous registration doesn’t establish “acquired distinctiveness” since the trademarks are not identical.
The team plans to vacate the Oakland Coliseum following the 2024 season, and as they gear up for their move to Las Vegas, they’ve also dropped “Oakland” from their name.
Interestingly, while the Athletics’ new $1.75 billion stadium is being constructed, the team played last season at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, which is the home of the Giants’ Triple-A River Cats.
This shift to a minor league venue has sparked considerable backlash, particularly among players. Luis Severino, who recently signed a $67 million contract, noted that the experience felt reminiscent of spring training games.
“Every time I throw and every time the other guys throw, it feels like a spring training game,” Severino remarked. “We have the same mindset of trying to excel, but it hasn’t worked well for us.”
Despite a challenging season in 2025, the organization committed to several long-term contracts, focusing on their future in Las Vegas.
In addition to Severino, the Athletics secured All-Star slugger Brent Rooker with a $60 million extension and rising talent Lawrence Butler with a $66.5 million deal.
This offseason, they also signed Tyler Soderstrom to a franchise-record $86 million contract and traded for former Mets All-Star Jeff McNeil.
The team is nurturing a promising core, which includes Nick Kurtz, the 2025 American League Rookie of the Year.
Moving forward, the organization plans to reapply for trademark rights in the foreseeable future, hopeful that a formal transfer could improve their chances in potential legal disputes.
