The agreement introduces some new restrictions for the Seahawks’ use of the phrase.
Advertisement
The Seahawks will no longer use the term “12th Man” on social media, and the phrase won’t be displayed in the “Ring of Honor” at CenturyLink Field.
The 12th Man phrase has been a part of Texas A&M lore for nearly a century, and the team trademarked the phrase in 1990.
“We are obviously pleased to have in place the new agreement with the Seattle Seahawks that serves to control and minimize any use of Texas A&M’s trademark “12th Man” by any entity other than Texas A&M and its authorized licensees”, Texas A&M system chancellor John Sharp said in a statement.
Seahawks fans can once again call themselves the 12th MAN. The team has never been permitted to put “12th Man” on merchandise. The new agreement, the report said, is meant mostly to cover incidental use of the trademarked phrase.
Texas A&M’s use of the “12th Man” dates back to almost a century ago and relates to the actions of a student who came out of the stand during a football game-ready to enter the game if needed because of injuries to the team’s regular players. Federal trademark registrations by Texas A&M for the 12th Man trademark date back to 1990. Having a contract for use with an National Football League team further helps establish the value of its trademark.
The previous agreement, reached in 2006, had the Seahawks pay the Aggies $100,000 up front with a $5,000 annual fee for the rights to use the phrase.
We are happy to hear the legacy of the 12th MAN in Seattle continues! “Keeping it alive is important because it reflects the willingness and readiness of Aggies to fearlessly step in wherever and whenever needed”.
Advertisement
Disclosure: Texas A&M University has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune.
