New Era drops trademark opposition against NIL tournament operator Players Era after settlement
Players Era, the NIL-paying college sports tournament operator registered as 89 Blocks Holdings LLC, is on a clearer path to securing its trademark after headwear company New Era withdrew its formal opposition at the USPTO. The two parties reached a settlement in May, disclosed it to the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board in July, and the board officially closed the proceeding on October 6. New Era had filed its opposition in April 2025, arguing that Players Era's branding on athletic apparel and headwear would likely cause public confusion with its own mark, which it has used continuously since 1952. The settlement terms were not disclosed, and neither company responded to requests for comment.
New Era filed its opposition in April 2025, after the "Players Era" application was published in November 2024.
Why it matters
For brands: Tournament operators and other NIL-adjacent businesses should note that major apparel brands actively police broad trademark categories, including the word 'era,' and that resolving such disputes through settlement can take months of formal proceedings.
For athletes: College athletes participating in Players Era events gain clarity that the operator's brand is moving toward secure legal footing, which may signal organizational stability.
For collectives: Collectives and tournament operators building their own brand identities face real legal exposure if their names overlap with established marks in apparel and headwear categories.
Read the full story at Sportico
Sources
- Sportico · Daniel: Players Era’s Trademark on Track as New Era Drops Its Objection