After changing their team name twice since 2020, the NFL's Washington Commanders may be forced to change it yet again.
According to Yahoo Sports, the Commanders the trademark on the name by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on May 18.
The USPTO apparently cited two reasons for denying the team's application for the name, including the "Commanders' Classic" moniker for the annual college football game between the Army and Air Force.
The office also noted prior trademark filings by a man named Martin McCaulay who, in the years prior to the team deciding on a new name, filed applications for the "Washington Wolf Commanders" and the "Washington Space Commanders." McCaulay said in the past that he would give the team the names for free.
The Commanders could opt to keep the name, but it would be harder to defend against third-party vendors selling merchandise emblazoned with the "Washington Commanders" name on it.
The team could also choose yet another name. The USPTO's ruling doesn't force the team to make a name change, and the team could still make the case that its name would not be confused with any of the other existing iterations of Commanders.
