Mammoth NHL Team Sues Hockey Bag Company Over Trademark Dispute
In a surprising turn of events, the Mammoth hockey team has initiated legal action against a company that produces hockey bags, aiming to resolve a contentious trademark issue. According to Bel Fraser from the Salt Lake Tribune, this lawsuit was filed in US District Court earlier this month with the Mammoth organization asserting that Mammoth Hockey had initially supported the NHL team’s adoption of the Mammoth name for this season. However, in a twist that has raised eyebrows, the hockey bag company seemingly changed its stance in June, claiming that the NHL team’s use of the name infringes on its trademark rights. The lawsuit reveals that Mammoth Hockey has issued threats of legal action in an unspecified manner and at an undetermined time, which adds an element of uncertainty to the situation. The Mammoth team along with its owner, Smith Entertainment Group, is seeking a judicial resolution to this trademark conflict under the US Declaratory Judgment Act. This legal framework allows parties to seek a court’s opinion on the validity of a claim before any actual infringement occurs, which can be crucial in preventing future disputes. Interestingly, the documents associated with the lawsuit indicate that Mammoth Hockey had previously reached out to Chris Armstrong’s assistant, who is the president of the Utah Mammoth, back in April 2025. They expressed a desire to collaborate with Smith Entertainment Group if the Mammoth name was selected for the team. This prior communication suggests that there was once a cooperative spirit between the two entities, which makes the current legal battle all the more perplexing. Furthermore, the Mammoth team contends that Mammoth Hockey has not maintained and has never filed any trademark application for the name Mammoth within the United States. This assertion raises questions about the legitimacy of the hockey bag company’s claims and whether they have any grounds to pursue legal action against the NHL team. As this situation unfolds, it invites a broader discussion about trademark rights and the complexities involved in naming sports teams. What do you think? Should a company that has not actively pursued a trademark be able to challenge a sports team’s name? Or does the mere existence of a similar name warrant legal action? Share your thoughts in the comments.
The Utah Mammoth NHL team is suing a hockey bag company for trademark infringement. Learn about the legal battle over the name ‘Mammoth’ and how it affects the team’s branding and future. This video breaks down the lawsuit, key players, and potential outcomes.
