The Kansas City Chiefs and the Quest for a Historic "Three-Pepeat"

The Kansas City Chiefs are on the brink of history as they aim to clinch their third consecutive Super Bowl victory, a feat that would make them the first team to achieve a "three-peat" in the modern NFL era. However, if they succeed, their celebration plans—specifically the caps and T-shirts emblazoned with the phrase "three-peat"—will hinge on securing permission from an unexpected individual: Pat Riley. Riley, the former head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, owns the trademark to the term "three-peat," a phrase he popularized during his team’s dominant run in the late 1980s.

Riley’s belief in his Lakers’ ability to win three consecutive championships in 1987, 1988, and 1989 led him to register various forms of "three-peat" with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Although the Lakers fell short of completing the three-peat in 1989, Riley’s foresight ensured that he retained the commercial rights to the phrase. Over the years, Riley has earned licensing fees whenever other teams, such as the Chicago Bulls and the New York Yankees, achieved their own three-peats. A significant portion of these earnings has been donated to charity, as Riley has publicly stated.

Trademarked Triumphs: Sports Catchphrases That Made History

The world of sports is filled with iconic catchphrases that have transcended the games themselves, becoming ingrained in popular culture. Many of these phrases have been federally trademarked, giving their owners legal protection and the ability to profit from their use on merchandise and in media. Here are some of the most memorable sports catchphrases that have been approved for federal trademark protection.

One such phrase is "Going for the Gold," a term synonymous with the Olympic Games. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee owns the trademark for this phrase, along with others like "Team USA," "Future Olympian," and "Let the Games Begin." These registrations not only protect the committee’s brand but also ensure that the spirit of the Olympics is preserved and promoted. Additionally, the committee has already secured trademarks for phrases related to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, such as "Road to Los Angeles" and "Los Angeles 2028," ensuring a seamless transition to the next iteration of the Games.

Another notable example is "Refuse to Lose," a phrase popularized by John Calipari, the former head coach of the University of Massachusetts men’s basketball team. Calipari coined the term during a postgame news conference in 1993 and quickly registered it for use on T-shirts and sweatshirts. Although other coaches and teams had used the phrase before, Calipari’s teams embraced it as a motto, leading to its widespread recognition. After leaving Massachusetts, Calipari allowed the university to use the phrase for free but retained the rights to license it commercially. "Refuse to Lose" even became the title of one of his books, cementing its place in sports lore.

From Tennis Tirades to Football Frenzies: Catchphrases That Stuck

Some sports catchphrases are born out of moments of pure emotion, capturing the intensity and drama of competition. One such phrase is "You cannot be serious," made famous by tennis legend John McEnroe during his infamous tirade at the 1981 Wimbledon championships. McEnroe’s outburst, directed at a chair umpire, became a defining moment in his career and a hallmark of his tempestuous on-court personality. In 2002, McEnroe capitalized on the phrase by titling his memoir "You Cannot Be Serious," and he subsequently filed for its trademark shortly after publication.

Another phrase that gained notoriety is "They are who we thought they were," uttered by former NFL coach Dennis Green during a postgame rant in 2006. Green’s frustration boiled over after his Arizona Cardinals squandered a 20-point lead against the Chicago Bears on "Monday Night Football," leading to a profanity-laced tirade that quickly went viral. Despite his initial anger, Green later found humor in the situation, trademarking the phrase and even allowing it to be used in a beer commercial. "They are who we thought they were" has since become a cultural reference point, symbolizing moments of exasperation and disbelief.

Let’s Get Ready to Rumble: A Legacy Beyond the Ring

Some sports catchphrases are so deeply ingrained in popular culture that they become synonymous with the sport itself. "Let’s get ready to rumble" is one such phrase, made famous by boxing announcer Michael Buffer. Buffer, who sought to create an introduction that would electrify the audience, drew inspiration from Muhammad Ali’s pre-fight routine. The phrase has since become a hallmark of Buffer’s career, earning him credits in films and countless imitations. Buffer’s distinctive delivery has made the phrase uniquely his, ensuring its enduring legacy in sports and entertainment.

Another phrase that resonated with fans is "That’s a clown question, bro," famously uttered by baseball star Bryce Harper in 2012. At just 19 years old, Harper, then a rising phenom with the Washington Nationals, was asked by a reporter if he planned to celebrate a win with a beer. His response, a mix of humor and dismissiveness, quickly became a meme and a cultural phenomenon. Recognizing the phrase’s potential, Harper trademarked it and partnered with Under Armour to produce branded T-shirts. The phrase even made its way into the political arena, with Senator Harry Reid using it to dodge a question about immigration. However, not everyone was a fan; when White House press secretary Josh Earnest used the phrase during a briefing, it was met with groans from the press corps.

Fading Fast: The Ephemeral Nature of Sports Catchphrases

While some sports catchphrases endure for decades, becoming integral to the fabric of sports culture, others fade into obscurity over time. The rise and fall of these phrases often mirror the careers of the athletes and coaches who popularized them. As new generations of players and fans emerge, old catchphrases are replaced by new ones, reflecting the ever-evolving nature of sports.

The Chiefs’ potential "three-peat" victory could breathe new life into Riley’s trademark, reigniting its relevance and sparking a new wave of merchandise. However, the fleeting nature of sports culture means that even this phrase could eventually fade, making way for the next "four-peat" or whichever catchphrase captures the imaginations of fans next. For now, though, the Chiefs’ quest for history—and the rights to celebrate it—remains a fascinating intersection of sports, culture, and commerce.