Post by EUIPO - European Union Intellectual Property Office

It is passion. But it is also business. Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, Doncic, Alcaraz, Duplantis… More and more top athletes are protecting their names, logos, celebrations and even iconic poses through EU trade marks. Football leads the way, but basketball, tennis, Formula 1 and many other sports are quickly following. At the top of the ranking is Kylian Mbappé, with 15 EU trade marks (his name, his famous goal celebration, quotes…). Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi, with 7 EU trade marks each are right behind. ⚽ Looking at football more broadly, Cristiano Ronaldo (6) and Vinícius Jr (5) complete the current top five. New names such as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Jamal Musiala and Cole Palmer are also emerging, with several applications under examination. Notably, Palmer is exploring new ground by seeking protection for both his face as a figurative mark and his “cold” celebration as a motion mark. Many other players as Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, Raphinha, Julián Álvarez, Fede Valverde, Vitinha or Pedri are also EU trade marks owners, Among the legends, David Beckham remains a benchmark, with 15 EU trade marks. Icons such as Pelé, Johan Cruyff, George Best, Diego Maradona and Alessandro Del Piero have also protected their legacy. One notable gap remains: women’s football is still underrepresented, with Ewa Pajor currently as the only player holding an EU trade mark. 🏀 In basketball, Luka Dončić, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lead with four EU trade marks each, followed by LeBron James (3) and Victor Wembanyama (with EU and international registrations). Players such as Stephen Curry, Trae Young, Lauri Markkanen and Rudy Gobert are also active in protecting their brands. Michael Jordan still stands apart. Through the iconic Jumpman logo, developed in partnership with Nike, the “Air Jordan” brand remains one of the most valuable athlete-driven brands in the world. Other legends, including Shaquille O’Neal (owner of the “Dunkman”), Magic Johnson and Pau Gasol, have also secured their intellectual property rights in the EU. 🎾 🏌 🏎️ World class legends and athletes such as Carolina Marín, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Mondo Duplantis, Seve Ballesteros, Jannik Sinner, Serena Williams and Fernando Alonso demonstrate that protecting your identity is part of the game. Performance builds fame. IP secures its value. More: https://lnkd.in/e29zxEPR #WorldIPDay