Saints, Bucs Square Off in Trademark Battle Over Mardi Gras Term

In a showdown fit for a soap opera, the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are gearing up for an off-the-field battle that no one had on their 2023 bingo card.

According to NOLA.com, the NFC South rivals could have them duking it out in court over the rights to use the trademarked term "KREWE." Yes, you heard that right. We've reached a point where football teams are squabbling over Mardi Gras lingo. Amazing, right?

For generations, the good folks of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region have been tossing around the word "KREWE" during Mardi Gras celebrations and even in reference to social clubs, businesses, and sports organizations. It's as common as the urge to yell "throw me something, mister!" during carnival season. But now, it seems that the Saints and the Bucs have taken their rivalry to a whole new level of absurdity.

Well, call me a homer, but the Bucs are the ones who are being a bit absurd. Allow me to explain.

According to patent attorney Josh Gerben, the trouble began when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers got their hands on the "KREWE" trademark and promptly objected to the New Orleans Saints' attempt to use it. How dare they! The nerve of those Buccaneers, trying to lay claim to a word that has long been part of the region's cultural lexicon.

The Saints, bless their hearts, are actually having to argue that "KREWE" is a regional term deeply intertwined with the spirit of Mardi Gras. They believe it has mass appeal and should be fair game for their cheerleading and dance team, which they cleverly named the "Saints Cheer Krewe."

Meanwhile, the Bucs, flexing their legal muscle as an NFL team, have registered the "KREWE" trademark for everything under the sun. Loyalty clubs, team promotions, marketing services, clothing, trading cards, posters, calendars—apparently, they want a monopoly on anything and everything remotely related to football and cheerleading.

This is almost as bad as Cincinnati and the whole "Who Dey" thing. 🙄

At this point, it's uncertain whether the Saints will mount a strong defense or if they'll wave the white flag and settle things amicably outside the courtroom. As patent attorney Gerben speculates, the teams might actually find a way to resolve this petty dispute without judicial intervention. Well, wouldn't that be a disappointment? We were really hoping for some good old-fashioned legal drama.

So, folks, sit back, grab some popcorn, and witness the spectacle unfold as two NFL franchises engage in a battle over a word that truly encapsulates the essence of Mardi Gras. It's a clash of titans, a contest of egos, and an excellent demonstration of just how ludicrous things can get in the world of trademarks.

Stay tuned for the next season, where the Saints will undoubtedly use this to hilariously troll Tampa Bay as they try to figure out who they are now that Gisele's ex-husband has left them high and dry.