Jan 4, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) on the field after the game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium.

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Lamar Jackson Clashes With NASCAR Legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. Over the Number 8 Trademark

Lamar Jackson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. involved in a trademark tussle!

Jan 4, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) on the field after the game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium.

In a strange piece of news that is making waves today, a professional NFL player and a former racing legend are locked in a battle over a trademark dispute. While this may not seem like a big issue to the common public, celebrities, and famous athletes establish highly profitable businesses with their branding and trademarks. It is of utmost importance that there is no confusion in the minds of buyers when they wish to make their purchase. That brings us to the unusual but important dispute over the trademark involving the number 8.

The Issue on Hand

Baltimore Ravens quarterback and 2-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson has filed a claim against former NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. over the trademark of the number 8. Jackson has already trademarked “ERA 8” and “Era 8 by Lamar Jackson” which are his apparel brands that sell clothing and duffel bags.

Earnhardt is trying to trademark his own stylized number eight for his brand which is also used to sell clothing merchandise and toys. Jackson is claiming that Earnhardt’s 8 is similar to his trademarked 8 and that it will lead to confusion among buyers. Jackson feels that fans who wish to buy merchandise from his brand may end up buying merchandise from Earnhardt’s brand.

Lamar Jackson has taken legal action against Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s trademark of the No. 8 https://t.co/rws9pIk5gW
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) April 4, 2025

As per trademark attorney Josh Gerben, “In a ‘Notice of Opposition’ filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on April 2, Jackson argues that Earnhardt Jr. ‘s trademark application for a stylized version of the number 8—used prominently on his race cars—conflicts with Jackson’s own trademark rights.”

Lamar Jackson is opposing Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s attempt to trademark “8,” claiming it conflicts with his own trademarks.

Full story 👇https://t.co/tz0BJwtNOM
— Josh Gerben (@JoshGerben) April 4, 2025

While filing his claim, Jackson alluded to three points, the first of which is that he is associated with the number 8 due to his prominence in the NFL. Although Jackson has yet to win a ring, he is a 2-time MVP and one of the most well-established stars in the game today. The Ravens QB has worn the number all his football career even in college before turning professional.

Secondly, Jackson points out that if Earnhardt were to register his similar trademark, it could lead to a false connection between the two athletes and infringe on his established rights. And, third, purchasers could be misguided in believing that the products of Earnhardt are related to the products and services of Jackson himself.

Interestingly, this is the second time Jackson has filed a claim regarding a similar matter. Previously, Jackson filed a claim against former Cowboys’ quarterback Troy Aikman on similar grounds which is still ongoing.

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What Happens Now

Such instances can go to trial but they can also be settled out of the court which is what usually happens. However, should the case go to trial, Gerben has offered his personal opinion on how things could play out.

“In my view, none of the athletes are likely to gain exclusive control over the standalone number 8—a commonly used and highly diluted symbol in the world of sports and merchandise. Ultimately, Jackson, Aikman, and Earnhardt Jr. will likely all get their registrations and coexist on the trademark register, each with slightly different branding approaches.”

It will be interesting to see what shape this dispute takes as all three parties involved are highly decorated and boast of an abundance of fan following within their respective circles.

Dale Earnhardt Jr

Lamar Jackson

Nascar

NFL

Devavrat Kulkarni

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I am a content writer for the NFL team, and joined The Playoffs after working with Sportskeeda and NFL Analysis as an NFL writer. After starting my professional career as a French-to-English translator, working as a content writer is a new adventure for me. I started out in the sports media field for two main reasons: my love for sports in general, especially the NFL, NBA, and Tennis, as well as my passion for writing. The best part of this job is that I get to write a variety of pieces with the freedom to explore content from various angles. It also enables me to stay up to date with the sporting world, which otherwise can be difficult to do in the day-to-day grind. In a world full of chaos, sports unite and entertain like nothing else!