In a surprising legal setback, the Oakland Athletics' planned relocation to Las Vegas has hit a trademark roadblock. The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has officially rejected the Major League Baseball franchise's application to secure the names 'Las Vegas Athletics' and 'Vegas Athletics'.
The Core of the Trademark Dispute
According to a report from Front Office Sports, the USPTO issued the refusals on December 29. Trademark attorney Josh Gerben, who highlighted the case, explained the reasoning. The office deemed the term 'athletics' too generic, as it commonly describes everyday sports and physical activities. Granting exclusive rights to a single entity for such a vague term could, in their view, unfairly restrict youth or amateur sports associations in Las Vegas from using it.
This decision stands in contrast to the team's historical trademark success. The USPTO had previously awarded trademarks for Philadelphia Athletics, Kansas City Athletics, and Oakland Athletics – all former homes of the club. Even the team's distinctive script 'Athletics' logo holds a registered trademark.
A Question of Established Presence
Gerben indicated that a primary issue is the team's lack of an established commercial presence in Nevada. Despite the fact that their new stadium in Las Vegas is under construction and their Triple-A affiliate already plays in the area, the A's themselves have not yet begun operations there. The major league team is currently playing its home games in Sacramento, California, for the interim, without branding itself with that city's name.
The Athletics are not expected to play their first game in their Las Vegas home until 2028. The report notes that MLB handles trademark applications for all its teams, and the A's still have avenues to pursue. They can present their case to an appeal board or, ultimately, in federal court to overturn the decision.
Controversial Move and Future Implications
"The examiner is taking this very literally," Gerben told Front Office Sports. "The USPTO is basically saying 'if we give the team unfettered rights, then any youth or amateur athletics association in Las Vegas could suddenly be in violation of the trademark.' It’s a weird result."
This trademark hurdle adds another layer to the long and controversial saga of the A's departure from Oakland. The decision to move to Las Vegas, via a temporary stop in Sacramento, sparked significant fan protests in the Bay Area, with many loyal supporters campaigning fiercely to keep the century-old franchise in its longtime home.
While the team's future in Las Vegas seems physically assured with a stadium being built, its official identity in the city now faces a legal challenge that must be resolved on the road to the 2028 season.
