Nike's 'B9' Trademark for Bronny Just Got Blocked, and It's a Battle

Here's a plot twist nobody saw coming: Nike's attempt to trademark Bronny James' "B9" logo just got shot down by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The reason? Some golf apparel company from Austin, Texas already owns the mark, and the USPTO says the logos are too similar to coexist.

What Happened

Nike filed for the "B9" trademark back in February. It's a lowercase "b" in gothic lettering with the number "9" in the middle. Bronny has already rocked shoes featuring the logo multiple times this season, and Nike even posted images of the kicks on April 12. But examining attorney P. Scott Craven said no thanks. The mark was refused due to "likelihood of confusion" with Back9 Golf Apparel's existing "B9" logo.

Back9's version has a black background with "B9" overlapping in a racing font. They've been using the mark since 2020, filed for it in 2021, and got it officially registered in 2022. Two completely different worlds, right? Apparently not to the trademark office.

Why the USPTO Said No

Craven laid it out in his refusal letter: "The marks are similar in appearance, sound and commercial impression." He also noted that both "B9" markings are filed for clothing and apparel uses, and that the marks are "essentially phonetic equivalents and, thus, sound similar." Both logos hit the same lane.

Nike does have a path forward, though. They've got three months to appeal the ruling and argue that the designs are distinct enough that fans won't confuse a gothic lowercase "b" with a racing font overlay. According to trademark attorney Josh Gerben of Gerben IP, Nike has a real argument here since the actual logos look pretty different. "These are very distinct logos, so they do have that going for them," Gerben said. But he also acknowledged it's an uphill battle.

What's Next

The clock is ticking on Nike's appeal window. If they want to keep pushing the "B9" branding for Bronny, they'll need to make a compelling case that the marketplace won't get confused between LeBron IX-inspired basketball shoes and golf apparel. Messages to Nike, their trademark attorneys, Bronny's agents, and Back9 have not been immediately returned.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.