The Kansas City Royals registered a trademark opposition against the National Women’s Soccer League in August over the use of the Utah Royals FC name and logo, according to filings with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
On Tuesday, the NWSL denied the allegations in a filing, saying there was “no likelihood of confusion” between the franchises’ logos.
The soccer league claims that the baseball team’s opposition “constitutes a broad overreach by Major League Baseball to interfere with and stifle Women’s Soccer and professional female sports leagues in general.”
In its “notice of opposition,” the Kansas City Royals organization made a case for its distinctive name and logos, including the crown and lion, citing its history, including two World Series championships.