Utah’s NHL Team Sues Mammoth Hockey LLC Over Name Dispute
Utah’s NHL team sues Mammoth Hockey LLC over name dispute. Trademark takedown. Utah’s NHL team takes the ice in court. Imagine spending months gathering fan input to find the perfect name for your NHL team, only to have a sudden unexpected opponent emerge, not on the ice, but in the courtroom. This is the shocking reality for Utah’s NHL team, the Mammoth, as they face off against the hockey bag company over a contentious trademark dispute. The backstory, a name born from fan engagement, the Utah Mammoth adopted its name after an inclusive public input process that spanned the entirety of last season. In a surprising twist, Utah Mammoth versus Mammoth Hockey, trademark lawsuit explained. Brace yourselves. A fierce legal battle has broken out over who really gets to own the Mammoth name in professional hockey. Smith Entertainment Group SEG, the parent company of the NHL’s newest franchise, the Utah Mammoth, filed suit on August 1st in US District Court in Salt Lake City. They’re not asking for damages, but instead want a clear court declaration that their use of Utah Mammoth is perfectly legal under federal and state law. But here’s where it gets controversial. The same Mammoth Hockey that cheered the team’s choice of name is now crying foul, demanding the team stop using Mammoth, hand over unsold merchandise, and even provide an accounting of sales and profits. Here’s the backstory explained step by step. One, cease and desist sparks the dispute. Mammoth Hockey, a Utah-based manufacturer of hockey bags and branded gear that’s been around since at least 2014, sent a cease and desist letter on June 10th. They claimed SEG’s use of Utah Mammoth would Utah Mammoth hockey team embroiled in trademark dispute over name. Picture this, a brand new professional hockey team is ready to take the ice. But before they can even lace up their skates, they’re caught in a legal tugofwar over their chosen name. That’s exactly what’s happening with Utah’s newest sports franchise, the Utah Mammoth. The team finds itself embroiled in a trademark dispute with a small Oregon-based company called Mammoth Hockey LLC, which specializes in high-end hockey bags. While the situation may seem straightforward at first glance, it gets murky and surprisingly contentious when you dig deeper. At the heart of the issue is whether the name Mammoth could confuse consumers. Mammoth Hockey claims there’s a real risk that fans might mix up their products with those associated with the Utah Mammoth. In emails exchanged between the two parties, lawyers for Mammoth Hockey argued that such confusion could harm their business. They went so far as to suggest that hockey enthusiasts who support teams other than the Utah Mammoth might avoid buying Mammoth Hockeyy’s gear altogether. Why? Because these customers might mistakenly believe that purchasing from Mammoth Hockey would mean supporting a rival team. It’s an intriguing argument, but one that raises questions about how much responsibility companies have to clarify their identities in a crowded marketplace. However, here’s where things get controversial. Utah Mammoth insists that Mammoth Hockey initially seemed supportive of their choice of name. During the year-long process of selecting a moniker for the franchise, Mammoth Hockey reportedly posted on social media, highlighting Utah Mammoth as a favorite among proposed names. They even added a playful wink emoji to emphasize their approval. Additionally, Eric Olsen, co-founder of Mammoth Hockey, reached out directly to Rachel Moffett, the president of hockey operations for Utah Mammoth, expressing interest in potential collaborations if Mammoth became the official team name. Sounds amicable, right? But fast forward to June 2025, and the tone shifted dramatically. According to court documents filed by Utah Mammoth, Mammoth Hockey reversed its stance shortly after the NHL club officially adopted the name. Emails included in the lawsuit reveal that Mammoth Hockey now claims their earlier social media post was merely an observation, not an endorsement. Furthermore, they argue that their offer to collaborate was motivated precisely because of the perceived likelihood of confusion between the two brands. Talk about a plot twist. Utah Mammoth isn’t taking this lying down. Their attorneys described the ongoing uncertainty caused by Mammoth Hawky’s actions as intolerable, especially since no formal legal action has been initiated despite months of back and forth communication. The complaint filed in US District Court seeks resolution under the US Declaratory Judgement Act, asking the court to confirm that there’s no legitimate basis for concern about consumer confusion. After all, Utah Mammoth argues their logo and services are vastly different from those offered by Mammoth Hockey. For instance, one represents a professional sports team while the other sells premium hockey equipment bags, a distinction they believe should be clear to any reasonable person. So, why does this matter? Well, beyond the immediate stakes for both parties, this case highlights a broader issue. How do businesses navigate naming conflicts in industries where branding plays such a critical role? And this is the part most people miss. It’s not just about protecting intellectual property. It’s also about perception. If fans can’t easily distinguish between two entities using similar names, does that harm outweigh the benefits of creative freedom? As of now, ABC4 has contacted Mambo Hockey for Common, but hasn’t received a response. Meanwhile, Utah Mammoth continues to build momentum as the state’s newest NHL contender. Fans got their first glimpse of the name during a fan voting initiative in 2024, and by early 2025, it emerged as one of the top three finalists. By June of that year, the decision was final. Mammoth would roar onto Utah’s sport. This detail adds another layer of complexity to the debate. Should companies proactively secure trademarks to protect their brand identity? Or is it unreasonable to expect smaller businesses to anticipate every possible conflict? What do you think? Is Mammoth Hockey justified in pushing back against Utah Mammoth, or is this a classic case of David versus Goliath? Share your thoughts in the comments below. We’d love to hear your perspective.
00:00 – Utah’s NHL Team Sues Mammoth Hockey LLC Over Name Dispute
00:45 – Utah Mammoth vs Mammoth Hockey: Trademark Lawsuit Explained
01:59 – Utah Mammoth Hockey Team Embroiled in Trademark Dispute Over Name
1. Utah’s NHL Team Sues Mammoth Hockey LLC Over Name Dispute
In a surprising turn of events, Utah’s NHL team, the Utah Mammoth, has filed a lawsuit against Mammoth Hockey LLC over a trademark dispute. Learn about the conflict and how it started. This case could have significant implications for both parties involved in the hockey world.
2. Utah Mammoth vs Mammoth Hockey: Trademark Lawsuit Explained
The Utah Mammoth, a new NHL team, has filed a federal lawsuit against Mammoth Hockey, a hockey bag manufacturer.
The lawsuit stems from a cease-and-desist letter sent by Mammoth Hockey, claiming that the Utah Mammoth’s use of the name ‘Mammoth’ could confuse consumers.
The Utah Mammoth argues that they have the right to use the name under federal and state law, and that their use will not harm Mammoth Hockey’s business.
In this video, we break down the details of the lawsuit and what it could mean for both parties.
The Utah Mammoth and Mammoth Hockey have been at odds over the use of the ‘Mammoth’ name, with Mammoth Hockey claiming superiority due to their prior use of the name.
However, the Utah Mammoth claims that Mammoth Hockey’s rights are based solely on common law usage, and that they do not own any trademarks for the name.
The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for trademark law and the use of similar names in the sports industry.
We will continue to follow this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.
3. Utah Mammoth Hockey Team Embroiled in Trademark Dispute Over Name
Utah’s newest NHL team, the Utah Mammoth, faces a trademark dispute with Mammoth Hockey, a Portland-based seller of high-end hockey bags.
Discover how the conflict arose despite initial support from Mammoth Hockey.
Learn about the lawsuit filed under the U.S. Declaratory Judgment Act.
Get updates on the team’s introduction and the naming process that led to the controversy.
**Watch for:**
– Trademark dispute details
– Utah Mammoth’s naming process
– Mammoth Hockey’s initial support and subsequent lawsuit
– NHL team news and updates