Utah NHL Team Sues Hockey Bag Company Over ‘Mammoth’ Name Dispute
Utah NHL team sues hockey bag company over mammoth name dispute. In a surprising turn of events, Utah’s very own NHL team has taken legal action over a naming dispute, suing a hockey bag company in an attempt to resolve a trademark issue. The team known as the Utah Mammoth filed the lawsuit this month against Mammoth Hockey LLC, a company that specializes in high-end hockey bags. According to the lawsuit filed in US District Court, the hockey bag company initially supported the NHL team’s decision to adopt the Mammoth name, which was chosen after gathering public input throughout the last season. In fact, the bag company even approached the team about a potential collaboration. However, the lawsuit alleges that in June, the bag company reversed course and claimed that the NHL team’s name infringed upon their trademark rights. The bag company has since threatened legal action, though the specifics of when and where this litigation might take place remain unclear. The uncertainty surrounding this issue has persisted for months, leading the Utah Mammoth and its owners, SEG Hockey, to seek a resolution through the courts under the US Declaratory Judgement Act. This case raises some interesting questions about trademark law and the potential for confusion between two entities with similar names. It also highlights the importance of careful branding and the potential consequences of not doing so. But here’s where it gets controversial. Should a company be able to claim exclusive rights to a name that is also a common noun? Especially when it’s a name that evokes a sense of strength and power like Mammoth. Utah Mammoth versus Mammoth Hockey LLC. The trademark dispute explained. A legal storm is brewing in Utah’s hockey scene. And it’s not just about who scores the next goal. The buzzworthy new NHL franchise, the Utah Mammoth, only recently rolled out their long-awaited name, and now they’re at the center of an unexpected legal showdown that could shake up the world of sports branding. But here’s where it gets controversial. This clash isn’t with another team, but a company that makes high-end hockey bags, Mammoth Hockey LLC. According to documents obtained by KSL Sports, the suit was filed on August the 1st, 2025. The parent organizations behind the Utah Mammoth, OIT LLC, and SEG Hockey LLC are asking for a declaratory judgment. Translated, that means they want the court to officially declare that adopting the Utah Mammoth name doesn’t violate any trademark, either federal or under common law, and poses no threat to Mammoth Hockeyy’s business claims. Wait, why would an NHL expansion team take a hockey bag company to court? And this is the part most people miss. The conflict centers on trademark rights. The Utah Mammoth are fiercely protecting their newlyannounced name and branding against any claims of infringement from Mammoth Hockey, which operates in the hockey equipment market. Interestingly, Mammoth Hockey initially appeared to support the team’s name choice on social media and even floated the idea of a partnership with Utah Mammoth via LinkedIn. But things took a turn. As outlined in the lawsuit, Mammoth Hockey later claimed in relatively vague terms that they would take legal action at some undisclosed time and place. To illustrate, the lawsuit includes a screenshot of a LinkedIn message from Mammoth Hockeyy’s co-founder to Rachel Moffett, who works for Utah’s president of hockey operations, highlighting that discussions did indeed take place. Facing mounting uncertainty, Seg Hockey and Utah Mammoth invoked the US Declaratory Judgment Act, seeking to resolve the dispute before it escalates further. To put it plainly, they’re tired of waiting for the other shoe to drop. The suit states, “The uncertainty created by the bag company’s actions, which has persisted for months with no action as of yet, has become intolerable. The plot thickened in June with a heated exchange of letters. Mammoth Hockey accused Utah’s SCG Hockey of infringing on the Mammoth trademark and demanded that all use stop immediately. In response, SEG pointed out several crucial points. Mammoth Hockey had previously expressed excitement for the Utah Mammoth brand. The two organizations offer very different products and services. And perhaps most controversially, the word mammoth is already used by multiple third parties in goods like bags. What happened next? Mammoth Hockey doubled down, arguing that their customers could easily become confused between the two brands. They warned the hockey fans might avoid buying from Mammoth Hockey, wrongly assuming their purchases would support the Utah Mammoth team, a rival for some fans. This, they claimed, would directly threaten their business. Yet, despite threatening legal action, Mammoth Hockey has not filed any official complaint, nor specified where or when they intend to do so. In light of this standoff, Utah Mammoth’s managing company, SEG, issued a statement. The Utah Mammoth filed an action seeking a declaratory judgment that use of the trademark Utah Mammoth does not violate any rights asserted by a third party. Utah Mammoth and the NHL believe strongly that we have the right to use the name Utah Mammoth under federal and state law and that our use will not harm the defendant or its business in any way. We have taken this action only after careful consideration based on the defendant’s position. At this time, Manath Hockey has not responded to requests for comment, leaving room for plenty of speculation and fierce debate over who is really in the right. Now, here’s a question sure to split opinion. Should a sports team be allowed to adopt a name that’s already used by a company selling related but distinct products, especially if that company seems supportive at first? Is it fair for Mammoth Hockey to claim exclusive rights to such a common evocative term? Or does Utah Mammoth have every right to make the name part of their bold new identity? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. Who do you think is on the right side of this trademark tussle? For ongoing updates, keep your eyes on Cole Bagley at KSL Sports. You can catch his insights on the Utah Mammoth across their digital platforms. And for sports fans on the move, be sure to get the latest updates, radio broadcasts, and videos by downloading the KSL Sports app. NHL Utah Mammoth versus Mammoth Hockey. The battle over a name. Imagine the thrill of a hockey game, but this time the action is off the ice and in the courtroom. The Utah Mammoth, a newly rebranded NHL team, is taking legal action against Mammoth Hockey, a company known for its premium hockey bags. The dispute, a clash over trademark rights. This isn’t just a game of hockey. It’s a highstakes battle over brand identity. The Utah Mammoth, owned by Ryan Smith, who also owns the Utah Jazz, is seeking a court ruling to resolve the trademark dispute. The lawsuit, filed in a US District Court in Utah, involves the team’s ownership LLC’s, UTI, and Smith Entertainment group hockey as plaintiffs. The 16page document reveals a complex narrative of initial support turning into legal threats. Here’s where it gets interesting. Mammoth Hockey initially showed public support for the team’s new name and even reached out about a potential collaboration. However, in June, the company did a complete about face, claiming a trademark violation and threatening litigation. The Utah Mammoth isn’t waiting around. They’re taking the initiative by filing a lawsuit under the US Declaratory Judgment Act to get a clear ruling on the trademark issue. To understand the backstory, let’s rewind a bit. Ryan Smith bought the Arizona Coyotes in 2024 and relocated them to Salt Lake City. The team competed as the Utah Hockey Club last season, finishing sixth in the Western Conference’s Central Division. In May, after an extensive fan input process, the team announced its new name, the Utah Mammoth. The controversy began with a seemingly innocent social media post. In June 2024, Mammoth Hockey posted about the six finalist team names for the Utah club, expressing a preference for Mammoth. The company even reached out to the NHL team in April 2025, suggesting a collaboration if Mammoth became the official name. Eric Olsen, one of Mammoth Hockeyy’s co-founders, envisioned a marketing story where the team’s bags would be produced by Mammoth for Mammoth. But here’s where it gets controversial. Attorneys for Mammoth Hockey sent a letter to the NHL club in June 2025 claiming a trademark violation and demanding they cease using the Mammoth name. They followed up with another letter the next month, arguing it could lead to consumer confusion. The bag company never filed a trademark registration for Mammoth, relying instead on common law rights. The Utah Mammoth argues that the distinct logos, colors, and uses make it unlikely that consumers would confuse the two brands. The Utah Mammoth and the NHL firmly believe they have the right to use the name under federal and state law and that it won’t harm Mammoth Hockeyy’s business. However, Mammoth Hockey argues that consumers might confuse the two brands, potentially harming their business. And this is the part most people miss. The legal battle could drag on into the NHL season, but a coexistence agreement or settlement could be reached sooner. Alexandra Roberts, a trademark law expert and professor at Northeastern University, suggests that this is the kind of dispute that could be resolved through negotiation. So, what do you think? Should the Utah Mammoth have the right to use the name, or does Mammoth Hockey have a valid claim? Share your thoughts in the comments and let the debate
00:00 – Utah NHL Team Sues Hockey Bag Company Over ‘Mammoth’ Name Dispute
01:56 – Utah Mammoth vs Mammoth Hockey LLC: The Trademark Dispute Explained
07:24 – NHL Utah Mammoth vs. Mammoth Hockey: The Battle Over a Name
1. Utah NHL Team Sues Hockey Bag Company Over ‘Mammoth’ Name Dispute
Utah’s NHL team, the Utah Mammoth, has filed a lawsuit against Mammoth Hockey LLC, a hockey bag company, over a trademark dispute regarding the team’s name. The lawsuit alleges that the bag company initially supported the adoption of the Mammoth name but later reversed course, threatening litigation over alleged trademark violations. The Utah Mammoth team is seeking court intervention to resolve the issue. This video provides an overview of the situation, the implications for the NHL team, and the legal proceedings involved, with a focus on sports law, trademark disputes, and the impact on branding in professional sports.
Keywords: Utah Mammoth, NHL, trademark dispute, lawsuit, Mammoth Hockey LLC, hockey bag company, sports branding, intellectual property, legal proceedings
2. Utah Mammoth vs Mammoth Hockey LLC: The Trademark Dispute Explained
Discover the details behind the Utah Mammoth’s lawsuit against Mammoth Hockey LLC. Learn about the trademark dispute and the NHL team’s efforts to protect their name. #UtahMammoth #TrademarkDispute #diogojota
3. NHL Utah Mammoth vs. Mammoth Hockey: The Battle Over a Name
The NHL’s newest team, the Utah Mammoth, is caught in a legal battle with Mammoth Hockey, a high-end hockey bag company, over trademark rights to the ‘Mammoth’ name. Learn how this feud started, the claims from both sides, and what it could mean for the future of branding in sports. Could this lead to a settlement or will it stretch into the NHL season? Stay tuned as we break down the case and its implications for fans and businesses alike. Perfect for sports enthusiasts and business-minded viewers.