Move over, Manning vs. Brady—there’s a new showdown in town, and this one’s playing out in courtrooms instead of end zones. Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson, whose dual-threat magic made him the NFL’s youngest MVP since Dan Marino, is now scrambling to protect his legacy—digitally.
On July 9, Jackson filed a trademark appeal against Pro Football Hall of Famer Troy Aikman, arguing the Dallas Cowboys legend’s “Eight” brand—slapped on beer, towels, and apparel—could confuse fans. Jackson’s attorney claims his “Era 8” trademarks predate Aikman’s, adding the designs are “highly similar in sound, appearance, connotation, and commercial impression.” Aikman’s company, FL101, hasn’t yet responded. But wait—Jackson isn’t just tackling Aikman.
NASCAR icon Dale Earnhardt Jr., whose No. 8 Chevy roared to 26 Cup wins, is also in Jackson’s crosshairs. The QB’s legal team argues Earnhardt’s “8” branding clashes with his “ERA 8” empire. “Some of the instant reaction is, like, how can you own a number?” asks American University’s Christine Farley. “The truth is you can own almost anything you think of as a trademark.” The stakes?
BREAKING: #Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is CHALLENGING NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr’s #8 trademark.
Lamar says it is too close to his “ERA 8” brand name.
Jackson filed a similar trademark opposition to #NFL legend Troy Aikman in 2024, and they are still battling. pic.twitter.com/Sck0S3tJOl
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) April 4, 2025
Think Super Bowl-level branding wars. Jackson’s trademarks include phrases like “You 8 yet?” and a snarling dog logo. Aikman’s “Eight” spans energy drinks to beach gear. The U.S. Patent Office lists many “eight”-related trademarks, but Jackson’s team insists his cultural footprint—like Kobe’s 24 or Ripken’s 8—is unique.
Aikman’s company must respond by Aug. 18. Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson’s playbook mirrors his on-field agility: protect the brand at all costs. Consumers might not confuse a Hall of Fame QB with an MVP—but trademarks? That’s a Hail Mary.
This story is unfolding—stay locked in for the latest.
The post After Challenging Troy Aikman, Lamar Jackson Takes Legal Action Against NASCAR Legend in Trademark Dispute appeared first on EssentiallySports.