The Kansas City Chiefs stand to benefit one NBA Hall of Fame legend through his strategic trademark banking from many years back with a historical opportunity for a third Super Bowl win.
Since his induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1989, Pat Riley has profited from the use of “Three-Peat,” a term he made popular when leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a dominant run of back-to-back championships in the late 80s. Pat Riley guided the Los Angeles Lakers to NBA championships in both 1987 and 1988; however, they could not replicate their success by winning a third title thereafter.
For a man facing bitter disappointment with no personal setback, the trademark application made in 1989 turned out to be a far-sighted move. Riles & Co. earns revenue streams from all instances where sports professionals and merchandise retailers use “Three-Peat” for commercial promotion. Riley stands to receive a considerable financial windfall, should the Chiefs win the Super Bowl this year and earn a third consecutive title.
Riley collects royalties from various sports franchises over different seasons that achieved rare three-peat feats, starting from the Chicago Bulls (1991-1993, 1996-1998) and extending to the New York Yankees (1998-2000). Media licensing fees earned a new spotlight after the near three-peat finish by the Warriors in 2019.
History would label the Chiefs’ victory in Super Bowl LVIII against San Francisco 49ers as the first triple victory streak in NFL history thus making them the undisputed football dynasty champions. The successful conclusion of Super Bowl LVIII would activate a massive Three-Peat-branded product sale that activates Riley’s trademark protections.
If the Chiefs succeed in defeating the 49ers to win Super Bowl LVIII they will establish an unrivaled position as the most successful NFL dynasty with three consecutive championships.
The licensing options of the Chiefs regarding the term remain uncertain yet multiple sports apparel firms as well as media outlets and advertising companies seem likely candidates. The team’s decision to expand Three-Peat brand utilization through marketing or merchandise creation will trigger the need for negotiations with Riley’s company for lawful trademarked phrase use.
Riley has never exposed the precise financial return from his trademark but experts predict he could earn numerous millions through premium licensing deals for another three-peat in Kansas City.
The upcoming vital basketball match indicates Pat Riley will receive financial advantages from this business standpoint.
